The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for adult patients has increased in recent years. A retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing ECMO was performed between 19 February 1985 and 10 October 1995 to evaluate nosocomial infections. Seventy-one evaluable patients underwent ECMO for a total of 799 days. Forty-six infections were identified in 32 (45%) of 71 patients. There were 15 bloodstream infections, 13 lower respiratory infections, 11 urinary tract infections, and 7 miscellaneous infections. The rates of bloodstream infection (18.8 cases per 1,000 ECMO days) and urinary tract infection (13.8 cases per 1,000 ECMO days) were significantly higher than those reported through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (P < .0001 and P < .001, respectively). The rate of bloodstream infection increased with the duration of ECMO cannulation. This study highlights the increased risk for nosocomial infections in this patient population. Infection may not be apparent, and increased physician awareness of infection risk is imperative.

We present a 54-year-old male heart transplant recipient who developed mediastinitis caused by Klebsiella oxytoca and Veillonella species. Culture of the donor's bronchus also grew K. oxytoca and a Veillonella species. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that the K. oxytoca isolates had identical banding patterns. This case illustrates transmission of pathogenic bacteria via a contaminated organ.

Background Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is associated with 30-day all-cause mortality rates approaching 20–30%. The purpose of this case–control study was to evaluate risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with SAB at a community hospital.MethodsAs part of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) initiative mandating Infectious Diseases consultation for episodes of SAB, our ASP prospectively monitored all cases of SAB at a 341-bed community hospital in Jefferson Hills, PA from April 2017–February 2019. Cases included patients with 30-day mortality from the initial positive blood culture. Only the first episode of SAB was included; patients were excluded if a treatment plan was not established (e.g., left against medical advice). Patient demographics, comorbidities, laboratory results, and clinical management of SAB were evaluated. Inferential statistics were used to analyze risk factors associated with 30-day mortality.Results100 patients with SAB were included; 18 (18%) experienced 30-day mortality. Cases were older (median age 76.5 vs. 64 years, P < 0.001), more likely to be located in the intensive care unit (ICU) at time of ASP review (55.6% vs. 30.5%, P = 0.043), and less likely to have initial blood cultures obtained in the emergency department (ED) (38.9% vs. 80.5%, P < 0.001). Variables associated with significantly higher odds for 30-day mortality in univariate analysis: older age, location in ICU at time of ASP review, initial blood cultures obtained at a location other than the ED, and total Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Variables with P < 0.2 on univariate analysis were analyzed via multivariate logistic regression (Table 1).ConclusionResults show that bacteremia due to MRSA and total CCI were not significantly associated with 30-day mortality in SAB, whereas older age was identified as a risk factor. Patients with initial blood cultures obtained at a location other than the ED were at increased odds for 30-day mortality on univariate analysis, which may raise concern for delayed diagnosis. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

No abstract