http://publicationslist.org/data/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/atom.xml Hugo Saxhttp://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch$basepathfavicon.icoRecent additions to Hugo Sax's PublicationsList.org pagehttp://publicationslist.org/publications.png2013-07-09T20:56:36Z http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid71 2013-07-09T20:52:07Z

The implementation of evidence-based infection control practices is essential, yet challenging for healthcare institutions worldwide. Although acknowledged that implementation success varies with contextual factors, little is known regarding the most critical specific conditions within the complex cultural milieu of varying economic, political, and healthcare systems. Given the increasing reliance...<br/><br/>Hugo Sax, Lauren Clack, Sylvie Touveneau, Fabricio da Liberdade Jantarada, Didier Pittet, Walter Zingg, (2013) <i>Implementation science : IS</i> <i></i> <i></i> 8: <br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid72 2013-07-09T20:52:07Z

Exposure to urinary catheters is considered the most important risk factor for healthcare-associated urinary tract infection (UTI) and is associated with significant morbidity and substantial extra-costs. In this study, we assessed the impact of urinary catheterisation (UC) on symptomatic healthcare-associated UTI among hospitalized patients.<br/><br/>Ilker Uçkay, Hugo Sax, Angèle Gayet-Ageron, Christian Ruef, Kathrin Mühlemann, Nicolas Troillet, Christiane Petignat, Enos Bernasconi, Carlo Balmelli, Andreas Widmer, Karim Boubaker, Didier Pittet, (2013) <i>Antimicrobial resistance and infection control</i> <i></i> <i></i> 2: 1 <br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid70 2013-07-09T20:52:07Z

Many factors may influence the level of compliance with hand hygiene recommendations by healthcare workers. Lack of products and facilities as well as their inappropriate and non-ergonomic location represent important barriers. Targeted actions aimed at making hand hygiene practices feasible during healthcare delivery by ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place, defined as 'system ch...<br/><br/>B Allegranzi, H Sax, D Pittet (2013) <i>The Journal of hospital infection</i> <i></i> <i></i> 83 Suppl 1: S3-10<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid74 2013-07-09T20:52:07Z

Yves Longtin, Natacha Farquet, Angèle Gayet-Ageron, Hugo Sax, Didier Pittet (2012) <i>Archives of internal medicine</i> <i></i> <i></i> 172: 19 1516-1517<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid66 2011-04-11T14:35:48Z

A symposium was held in June 2009 near Freiburg in Germany. Twenty-nine attendees from several European countries participated, most of whom are actively involved in research and hospital infection prevention and control. The following topics were presented and discussed: isolation and screening for control of multidrug-resistant organisms; impact of the environment on healthcare-associated infect...<br/><br/>M Dettenkofer, A Ammon, P Astagneau, S J Dancer, P Gastmeier, S Harbarth, H Humphreys, W V Kern, O Lyytikäinen, H Sax, A Voss, A F Widmer (2011) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 77: 1 7-10<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid76 2013-07-09T20:52:07Z

We examined hand hygiene practices in surgical wards in 9 countries in Europe and Israel through direct practice observation. There was marked interhospital variation in hand hygiene compliance (range, 14%-76%), as well as glove and alcohol-based handrub use. After multivariable analysis, surgical subspecialty, professional category, type of care activity, and workload were independently associate...<br/><br/>Andie Lee, Annie Chalfine, George L Daikos, Silvia Garilli, Biljana Jovanovic, Sebastian Lemmen, José Antonio Martínez, Cristina Masuet Aumatell, Joanne McEwen, Didier Pittet, Bina Rubinovitch, Hugo Sax, Stephan Harbarth, (2011) <i>American journal of infection control</i> <i></i> <i></i> 39: 6 517-520<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid67 2011-10-01T18:42:30Z

To assess the overall burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in patients exposed and nonexposed to surgery.<br/><br/>Hugo Sax, Ilker Uçkay, Carlo Balmelli, Enos Bernasconi, Karim Boubaker, Kathrin Mühlemann, Christian Ruef, Nicolas Troillet, Andreas Widmer, Giorgio Zanetti, Didier Pittet (2011) <i>Ann Surg</i> <i></i> <i></i> 253: 2 365-370<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid69 2013-07-09T20:52:07Z

Yves Longtin, Hugo Sax, Benedetta Allegranzi, Franck Schneider, Didier Pittet (2011) <i>The New England journal of medicine</i> <i></i> <i></i> 364: 13 <br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid68 2011-10-01T18:42:30Z

A Stewardson, H Sax, S Longet-Di Pietro, D Pittet (2011) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 77: 4 358-359<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid75 2013-07-09T20:52:07Z

Hand hygiene is the single most important intervention for reducing healthcare associated infections and preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This sentence begins most publications regarding hand hygiene in the medical literature. But why - as we mark 150 years since the publication of Ignaz Semmelweis' landmark monograph on the subject - do we continue to repeat it? One might be tem...<br/><br/>Andrew Stewardson, Benedetta Allegranzi, Hugo Sax, Claire Kilpatrick, Didier Pittet (2011) <i>Future microbiology</i> <i></i> <i></i> 6: 8 855-876<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid61 2010-08-22T11:53:43Z

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the World Health Organization hand hygiene improvement strategy in a low-income African country. DESIGN: A before-and-after study from December 2006 through June 2008, with a 6-month baseline evaluation period and a follow-up period of 8 months from the beginning of the intervention. SETTING: University Hospital, Bamako, Mali. Participants....<br/><br/>Benedetta Allegranzi, Hugo Sax, Loséni Bengaly, Hervé Richet, Daouda K Minta, Marie-Noelle Chraiti, Fatoumata Maiga Sokona, Angèle Gayet-Ageron, Pascal Bonnabry, Didier Pittet (2010) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 31: 2 133-141<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid63 2010-03-04T07:50:41Z

Patient participation is increasingly recognized as a key component in the redesign of health care processes and is advocated as a means to improve patient safety. The concept has been successfully applied to various areas of patient care, such as decision making and the management of chronic diseases. We review the origins of patient participation, discuss the published evidence on its efficacy, ...<br/><br/>Yves Longtin, Hugo Sax, Lucian L Leape, Susan E Sheridan, Liam Donaldson, Didier Pittet (2010) <i>Mayo Clin Proc</i> <i></i> <i></i> 85: 1 53-62<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid65 2011-04-11T14:35:48Z

The education of healthcare workers is essential to improve practices and is an integral part of hand hygiene promotional strategies. According to the evidence reviewed here, healthcare worker education has a positive impact on improving hand hygiene and reducing healthcare-associated infection. Detailed practical guidance on steps for the organization of education programmes in healthcare facilit...<br/><br/>E Mathai, B Allegranzi, W H Seto, M-N Chraïti, H Sax, E Larson, D Pittet (2010) <i>Infection</i> <i></i> <i></i> 38: 5 349-356<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid64 2011-04-11T14:35:48Z

This article deals with data on nosocomial infections acquired in the Geneva University Hospitals. Goal of the work is to derive a model from a hospital-acquired infection (HAI) prevalence survey of year Y and apply them to a prevalence survey of years Y+1, Y+2. This analysis permits to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive measures taken after the prevalence survey in year Y. It also analyzes ...<br/><br/>Jimison Iavindrasana, Gilles Cohen, Adrien Depeursinge, Henning Müller, Rodolphe Meyer, Hugo Sax, Antoine Geissbuhler (2010) <i>Stud Health Technol Inform</i> <i></i> <i></i> 160: Pt 1 764-768<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid55 2009-12-28T15:04:39Z

We developed a patient-based survey to evaluate the impact of a respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette implementation strategy on infection control practices in the emergency department. The frequency of self-reported mask use by coughing patients was low (27%) and often inconsistent. The frequency of use was highest among patients who presented with myalgia (odds ratio, 14.7; P = .02) and among ...<br/><br/>Yves Longtin, Christophe Akakpo, Olivier T Rutschmann, Didier Pittet, Hugo Sax (2009) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 30: 9 904-908<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid52 2009-07-23T12:01:56Z

Staphylococcal infections are one of the main causes of complications in patients with implanted foreign prosthetic material. Implants are associated with a significant reduction of the threshold at which contaminating Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis, become infectious and develop a biofilm with phenotypic resistance to almost all antibiotics. A 1000-fold increase i...<br/><br/>Ilker Uçkay, Didier Pittet, Pierre Vaudaux, Hugo Sax, Daniel Lew, Francis Waldvogel (2009) <i>Ann Med</i> <i></i> <i></i> 41: 2 109-119<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid56 2009-10-23T13:54:59Z

The World Health Organization's Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care have been issued by WHO Patient Safety on 5 May 2009 on the occasion of the launch of the Save Lives: Clean Your Hands initiative. The Guidelines represent the contribution of more than 100 international experts and provide a comprehensive overview of essential aspects of hand hygiene in health care, evidence- and consensus-...<br/><br/>Didier Pittet, Benedetta Allegranzi, John Boyce (2009) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 30: 7 611-622<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid57 2009-12-28T15:04:39Z

Although a large proportion of healthcare-associated infections are avoidable, healthcare workers do not always practice evidence-based preventive strategies. Marketing technologies might help to improve patient safety. This article presents the basic principles of marketing and its potential use to promote good infection control practices. The marketing mix (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion) ...<br/><br/>Hugo Sax, Yves Longtin, Raymonde Alvarez-Ceyssat, Chantal Bonfillon, Sabrina Cavallero, Pierre Dayer, Claude Ginet, Pascale Herrault (2009) <i>Rev Med Suisse</i> <i></i> <i></i> 5: 197 735-738<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid62 2010-03-04T07:50:41Z

Monitoring hand hygiene adherence and providing performance feedback to health care workers is a critical component of multimodal hand hygiene promotion programs, but important variations exist in the way adherence is measured. Within the framework of the World Health Organization's (WHO) First Global Patient Safety Challenge known as "Clean Care is Safer Care," an evidence-based, user-centered co...<br/><br/>Hugo Sax, Benedetta Allegranzi, Marie-Noëlle Chraïti, John Boyce, Elaine Larson, Didier Pittet (2009) <i>Am J Infect Control</i> <i></i> <i></i> 37: 10 827-834<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid59 2009-12-28T15:04:39Z

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that patients could improve healthcare workers' compliance with hand hygiene recommendations by reminding them to cleanse their hands. OBJECTIVE: To assess patients' perceptions of a patient-participation program to improve healthcare workers' compliance with hand hygiene. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of patient knowledge and perceptions of healthcare-associated inf...<br/><br/>Yves Longtin, Hugo Sax, Benedetta Allegranzi, Stéphane Hugonnet, Didier Pittet (2009) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 30: 9 830-839<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid60 2009-12-28T15:04:39Z

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are among the most frequent healthcare-associated infections and cause considerable morbidity, mortality, and resource use. CRBSI surveillance serves quality improvement, but is often restricted to intensive care units (ICUs). We conducted a four-month prospective cohort study of all non-cuffed central venous catheters (CVCs) to design an efficient ...<br/><br/>W Zingg, H Sax, C Inan, V Cartier, M Diby, F Clergue, D Pittet, B Walder (2009) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 73: 1 41-46<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid58 2009-07-23T12:01:56Z

Ilker Uçkay, Hugo Sax, Sandrine Longet-Di Pietro, Hannes Baur, Marie-France Boulc'h, Christophe Akakpo, Jean-Claude Chevrolet, Didier Pittet (2009) <i>Emerg Infect Dis</i> <i></i> <i></i> 15: 3 496-497<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid48 2008-03-26T14:45:20Z

CONTEXT: Experts and policy makers have repeatedly called for universal screening at hospital admission to reduce nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of an early MRSA detection strategy on nosocomial MRSA infection rates in surgical patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Prospective, interventional cohort study conducted bet...<br/><br/>Stephan Harbarth, Carolina Fankhauser, Jacques Schrenzel, Jan Christenson, Pascal Gervaz, Catherine Bandiera-Clerc, Gesuele Renzi, Nathalie Vernaz, Hugo Sax, Didier Pittet (2008) <i>JAMA</i> <i></i> <i></i> 299: 10 1149-1157<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid47 2008-11-29T10:28:53Z

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess prevalence and risk factors for nosocomial infection (NI) in 21 hospitals of the Veneto Region (Italy). METHODS: In May 2003, a one-week-period prevalence study of NI was carried out in 21 hospitals, representing 63% of all hospital beds for acute patients of the Veneto Region. Intensive care units represented 84% of all intensive care beds of the Region. Long ...<br/><br/>G Pellizzer, P Mantoan, L Timillero, B Allegranzi, U Fedeli, E Schievano, P Benedetti, M Saia, H Sax, P Spolaore (2008) <i>Infection</i> <i></i> <i></i> 36: 2 112-119<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid49 2008-06-06T15:22:31Z

Daskalaki and colleagues (3) recently reported the identification of mixed clonally-derived Staphylococcus aureus isolates responsible for recurrent bacteremia, showing important genetic rearrangements during the timeframe of an infection. ...<br/><br/>Patrice Francois, Ilker Uckay, Anne Iten, Gesuele Renzi, Sasi Dahran, Véronique Camus, Hugo Sax, Jacques Schrenzel (2008) <i>J Clin Microbiol</i> 46: 5 1890-1891<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid2 2008-11-09T14:58:00Z

Infections are a frequent consequence of natural disasters. Repatriated victims may require hospital care due to multiple fractures, pneumonia or wound infections caused by multi-resistant pathogens that require specific infection control measures. To address potential pitfalls of infection control and clinical care in repatriated patients, we sought to provide microbiological insight into the pos...<br/><br/>Uçkay I, Sax H, Harbarth S, Bernard L, Pittet D (2008) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> 68: 1 1-8<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid1 2008-11-09T14:56:53Z

The economic and clinical burden of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is uncontested. In many hospitals, VAP surveillance is conducted to identify outbreaks and to monitor infection rates. Here, we discuss the concept of benchmarking in health care as modeled on industry, and we contribute personal arguments against considering the VAP rate as a potential candidate for benchmarking or for moni...<br/><br/>Uçkay I, Ahmed QA, Sax H, Pittet D (2008) <i>Clin Infect Dis</i> 46: 4 557-563<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid50 2008-11-09T14:55:24Z

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the temporal relation between the use of antibiotics and alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) and the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile. METHODS: An interventional time-series analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of two promotion campaigns on the consumption of ABHRs and to assess their e...<br/><br/>Nathalie Vernaz, Hugo Sax, Didier Pittet, Pascal Bonnabry, Jacques Schrenzel, Stephan Harbarth (2008) <i>J Antimicrob Chemother</i> 62: 3 601-607<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid53 2009-07-23T12:01:56Z

A high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage at hospital readmission among previous MRSA carriers warrants screening and preemptive isolation precautions. The replacement of culture on chromogenic agar with rapid quantitative polymerase chain reaction for readmission screening reduces the number of unnecessary preemptive isolation-days by 54% (from 6.88 to 3.14 ...<br/><br/>Ilker Uçkay, Hugo Sax, Anne Iten, Véronique Camus, Gesuele Renzi, Jacques Schrenzel, Arnaud Perrier, Didier Pittet (2008) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 29: 11 1077-1079<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid54 2008-11-29T10:28:53Z

BACKGROUND: Legislative mandates and current guidelines for control of nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) recommend screening of patients at risk of MRSA carriage on hospital admission. Indiscriminate application of these guidelines can result in a large number of unnecessary screening tests. STUDY DESIGN: This study was conducted to develop and validate ...<br/><br/>Stephan Harbarth, Hugo Sax, Ilker Uckay, Carolina Fankhauser, Americo Agostinho, Jan T Christenson, Gesuele Renzi, Jacques Schrenzel, Didier Pittet (2008) <i>J Am Coll Surg</i> <i></i> <i></i> 207: 5 683-689<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid51 2008-10-06T11:38:53Z

Nosocomial infections (NIs) - those acquired in health care settings - represent one of the major causes of increased mortality in hospitalized patients. As they are a real problem for both patients and health authorities, the development of an effective surveillance system to monitor and detect them is of paramount importance. This paper presents a retrospective analysis of a prevalence survey of...<br/><br/>Gilles Cohen, Hugo Sax, Antoine Geissbuhler (2008) <i>Stud Health Technol Inform</i> 136: 21-26<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid8 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Hand hygiene is considered to be the most effective measure to prevent microbial pathogen cross-transmission and healthcare-associated infections. In October 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) World Alliance for Patient Safety launched the first Global Patient Safety Challenge 2005-2006, 'Clean Care is Safer Care', to tackle healthcare-associated infection on a large scale. Within the Chall...<br/><br/>M Whitby, C L Pessoa-Silva, M-L McLaws, B Allegranzi, H Sax, E Larson, W H Seto, L Donaldson, D Pittet (2007) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 65: 1 1-8<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid7 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to compare the Charlson comorbidity index derived from a rapid single-day chart review with the same index derived from administrative data to determine how well each predicted inpatient mortality and nosocomial infection. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted in the context of the Swiss Nosocomial Infection Prevalence (SNIP) stud...<br/><br/>Jean-Christophe Luthi, Nicolas Troillet, Marie-Christine Eisenring, Hugo Sax, Bernard Burnand, Hude Quan, William Ghali (2007) <i>Int J Qual Health Care</i> <i></i> <i></i> 19: 4 225-231<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid6 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Hand hygiene is a core element of patient safety for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Its promotion represents a challenge that requires a multi-modal strategy using a clear, robust and simple conceptual framework. The World Health Organization First Global Patient Safety Challenge 'Clean Care is Safer Care' has expanded educational and...<br/><br/>H Sax, B Allegranzi, I Uçkay, E Larson, J Boyce, D Pittet (2007) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 67: 1 9-21<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid3 2008-01-28T13:54:41Z

OBJECTIVE: To compare healthcare workers' skin tolerance for and acceptance of 3 alcohol-based hand rub formulations. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, crossover clinical trial. SETTING: Intensive care unit in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight healthcare workers (HCWs). INTERVENTION: A total of 3 alcohol-based hand rub formulations (hereafter, formulations A, B, and C) were used in...<br/><br/>D Pittet, B Allegranzi, H Sax, M Chraiti, W Griffiths, H Richet (2007) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> 28: 12 1344-1351<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid4 2008-01-28T13:55:05Z

Adults more than 40 years old are not necessarily immune to measles. A measles outbreak that involved healthcare workers occurred after contact with a 44-year-old patient. Results of a hospital-wide program of mass screening revealed that 117 (4.5%) of 2,600 individuals tested seronegative for measles; 31 (26.1%) of these 117 individuals were more than 40 years old.<br/><br/>I Uckay, S Hugonnet, L Kaiser, H Sax, D Pittet (2007) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> 28: 9 1117-1120<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid5 2008-01-28T13:55:30Z

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the different behavioral components of healthcare workers' motivation to comply with hand hygiene in a healthcare institution with a 10-year history of hand hygiene campaigning. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, by use of an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. SETTING: A 2,200-bed university teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified random sample of 2,961 medical an...<br/><br/>H Sax, I Uçkay, H Richet, B Allegranzi, D Pittet (2007) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> 28: 11 1267-1274<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid12 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

To control an outbreak of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) in a neonatology unit, an investigation was conducted that involved screening neonates and parents, molecular analysis of MRSA isolates and long-term follow-up of cases. During a two-month period in the summer of 2000, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-producing CA-MRSA (strain ST5-MRSA-IV) was detected in five neonates. The mother of t...<br/><br/>H Sax, K Posfay-Barbe, S Harbarth, P Francois, S Touveneau, C L Pessoa-Silva, J Schrenzel, S Dharan, A Gervaix, D Pittet (2006) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 63: 1 93-100<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid13 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

PURPOSE: We determined the prevalence and risk profile of patients with previously unknown carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at hospital admission. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a 7-month, prospective case-controlled study in adult inpatients admitted to a university hospital with endemic MRSA. Multivariate conditional logistic regression for data sets matched 1:4...<br/><br/>Stephan Harbarth, Hugo Sax, Carolina Fankhauser-Rodriguez, Jacques Schrenzel, Americo Agostinho, Didier Pittet (2006) <i>Am J Med</i> <i></i> <i></i> 119: 3 275.e15-275.e23<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid11 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection is the most frequent health care-associated complication. We hypothesized that the implementation of a multifaceted prevention strategy could decrease its incidence after surgery. METHODS: In a controlled, prospective, before-after intervention trial with 1328 adult patients scheduled for orthopedic or abdominal surgery, nosocomial infection surveillance was con...<br/><br/>François Stéphan, Hugo Sax, Maud Wachsmuth, Pierre Hoffmeyer, François Clergue, Didier Pittet (2006) <i>Clin Infect Dis</i> <i></i> <i></i> 42: 11 1544-1551<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid9 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Hand cleansing is the primary action to reduce health-care-associated infection and cross-transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Patient-to-patient transmission of pathogens via health-care workers' hands requires five sequential steps: (1) organisms are present on the patient's skin or have been shed onto fomites in the patient's immediate environment; (2) organisms must be transferre...<br/><br/>Didier Pittet, Benedetta Allegranzi, Hugo Sax, Sasi Dharan, Carmem Lúcia Pessoa-Silva, Liam Donaldson, John M Boyce (2006) <i>Lancet Infect Dis</i> <i></i> <i></i> 6: 10 641-652<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid10 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Ilker Uçkay, Hugo Sax (2006) <i>Krankenpfl Soins Infirm</i> <i></i> <i></i> 99: 8 10-3, 36-9, 60-3<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid15 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVE: An important problem that arises in hospitals is the monitoring and detection of nosocomial or hospital acquired infections (NIs). This paper describes a retrospective analysis of a prevalence survey of NIs done in the Geneva University Hospital. Our goal is to identify patients with one or more NIs on the basis of clinical and other data collected during the survey. METHODS AND MATERIA...<br/><br/>Gilles Cohen, Mélanie Hilario, Hugo Sax, Stéphane Hugonnet, Antoine Geissbuhler (2006) <i>Artif Intell Med</i> <i></i> <i></i> 37: 1 7-18<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid18 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Philippe Eggimann, Stéphane Hugonnet, Hugo Sax, Stephan Harbarth, Jean-Claude Chevrolet, Didier Pittet (2005) <i>Ann Intern Med</i> <i></i> <i></i> 142: 10 875-876<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid19 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge regarding and attitudes toward standard and isolation precautions among healthcare workers in a hospital. METHOD: A confidential, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in a random sample of 1500 nurses and 500 physicians in a large teaching hospital. RESULTS: A total of 1,241 questionnaires were returned (response rate, 62%). The median ag...<br/><br/>Hugo Sax, Thomas Perneger, Stéphane Hugonnet, Pascale Herrault, Marie-Noëlle Chraïti, Didier Pittet (2005) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 26: 3 298-304<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid16 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology of nosocomial coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) bacteremia and to evaluate the clinical significance of a single blood culture positive for CoNS. DESIGN: A 3-year retrospective cohort study based on data prospectively collected through hospital-wide surveillance. Bacteremia was defined according to CDC criteria, except that a single blood culture grow...<br/><br/>Benoît Favre, Stéphane Hugonnet, Luci Correa, Hugo Sax, Peter Rohner, Didier Pittet (2005) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 26: 8 697-702<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid20 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Health-care-associated infection (HAI) is a major issue of patient safety with a substantial impact on morbidity, mortality, and use of additional resources worldwide. In April 2004, the WHO Regional Office for Europe organised the first international consultation to address the issue of HAI in eastern and central Europe. The main objectives of the consultation were to identify the primary needs a...<br/><br/>Didier Pittet, Benedetta Allegranzi, Hugo Sax, Luigi Bertinato, Ercole Concia, Barry Cookson, Jacques Fabry, Hervé Richet, Pauline Philip, Robert C Spencer, Bernardus Wk Ganter, Stefano Lazzari (2005) <i>Lancet Infect Dis</i> <i></i> <i></i> 5: 4 242-250<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid17 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence and characteristics of previously unknown methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers at admission. DESIGN: two prospective case-control studies. SUBJECTS: 1,621 elderly patients were screened for MRSA carriage within 24 hours after admission to a geriatric hospital in Geneva, Switzerland. METHODS: risk factors associated with previously unkn...<br/><br/>Hugo Sax, Stephan Harbarth, Gaetan Gavazzi, Nicole Henry, Jacques Schrenzel, Peter Rohner, Jean Pierre Michel, Didier Pittet (2005) <i>Age Ageing</i> <i></i> <i></i> 34: 5 456-462<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid14 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

From January to February 2005, the healthcare authorities of the Canton of Geneva were alerted to 15 cases of measles, in contrast to one single case in 2004. The adult status (17-44 years) of the affected persons years was unusual. Four were health care workers at the same hospital who were infected after contact with a 44-year-old patient in a single night during his stay in the emergency room. ...<br/><br/>I Uçkay, H Sax, S Hugonnet, C Aramburu, N Bessire, O Rutschmann, L Kaisers, A Gervaix, P Sudre, C A Siegrist, D Pittet (2005) <i>Ther Umsch</i> <i></i> <i></i> 62: 10 679-684<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid26 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Primary bloodstream infection (BSI) is a leading, preventable infectious complication in critically ill patients and has a negative impact on patients' outcome. Surveillance definitions for primary BSI distinguish those that are microbiologically documented from those that are not. The latter is known as clinical sepsis, but information on its epidemiologic importance is limited. We analyzed prosp...<br/><br/>Stéphane Hugonnet, Hugo Sax, Philippe Eggimann, Jean-Claude Chevrolet, Didier Pittet (2004) <i>Emerg Infect Dis</i> <i></i> <i></i> 10: 1 76-81<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid27 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

We evaluated the costs associated with a sustained and successful campaign for hand hygiene promotion that emphasized alcohol-based handrubs. The total cost of the hand hygiene promotion corresponded to less than 1% of the costs associated with nosocomial infections. Successful hand hygiene promotion is probably cost-saving.<br/><br/>Didier Pittet, Hugo Sax, Stéphane Hugonnet, Stephan Harbarth (2004) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 25: 3 264-266<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid28 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

The first multi-center prevalence study of nosocomial infections in Switzerland took place in 1996. Since then, the number of participating hospitals has steadily increased. Today, 72 hospitals of various sizes are part of the Swiss-NOSO surveillance network and represent 30% of all Swiss acute care hospitals, which include approximately 10,000 acute care beds. This article describes the methodolo...<br/><br/>H Sax (2004) <i>Ther Umsch</i> <i></i> <i></i> 61: 3 197-203<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid22 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVE: To acquire data on pediatric nosocomial infections (NIs), which are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and for which data are scarce. DESIGN: Prevalence survey and evaluation of a new comorbidity index. SETTING: Seven Swiss pediatric hospitals. PATIENTS: Those hospitalized for at least 24 hours in a medical, surgical, intensive care, or intermediate care ward. RESULTS: ...<br/><br/>Kathrin Mühlemann, Christine Franzini, Christoph Aebi, Christoph Berger, David Nadal, Jody Stähelin, Hanspeter Gnehm, Klara Posfay-Barbe, Alain Gervaix, Hugo Sax, Ulrich Heininger, Jan Bonhoeffer, Gerhard Eich, Christian Kind, Christiane Petignat, Pietro Scalfaro (2004) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 25: 9 765-771<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid21 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

AIM: To assess the incidence of legionella infection over a 27 month period at a large university hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with legionellosis, defined as those presenting a positive urinary antigen for legionella together with a medical history, clinical findings, and radiological findings consistent with pneumonia. These patients wer...<br/><br/>J Garbino, J-E Bornand, I Uçkay, S Fonseca, H Sax (2004) <i>J Clin Pathol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 57: 12 1302-1305<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid23 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Nosocomial infections (NIs)---those acquired in health care settings---are among the major causes of increased mortality among hospitalized patients. They are a significant burden for patients and health authorities alike; it is thus important to monitor and detect them through an effective surveillance system. This paper describes a retrospective analysis of a prevalence survey of NIs done in the...<br/><br/>Gilles Cohen, Mélanie Hilario, Hugo Sax, Stéphane Hugonnet, Christian Pellegrini, Antoine Geissbuhler (2004) <i>Medinfo</i> <i></i> <i></i> 11: Pt 1 716-720<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid25 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is growing concern that changes in nurse workforce and hospital-restructuring interventions negatively impact on patient outcomes. This review focuses on the association between understaffing and health-care-associated infections. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a large number of studies showing that overcrowding, understaffing or a misbalance between workload and resources are ...<br/><br/>Stéphane Hugonnet, Stephan Harbarth, Hugo Sax, Robert A Duncan, Didier Pittet (2004) <i>Curr Opin Infect Dis</i> <i></i> <i></i> 17: 4 329-333<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid24 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Nosocomial infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. These infections have made newspaper headlines recently in many countries, and both patients and their relatives are now perfectly aware of their existence and of the risks which are inherent to any medical activity. However, significant improvements in the knowledge of the pathophysiology and epidemi...<br/><br/>Philippe Eggimann, Hugo Sax, Didier Pittet (2004) <i>Microbes Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 6: 11 1033-1042<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid31 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVE: Although alcohol-based hand rinses and gels have recommended application times of 30 to 60 seconds, healthcare workers usually take much less time for hand hygiene. We compared the efficacies of four alcohol-based hand rubs produced in Europe (hand rinses A, B, and C and one gel formulation) with the efficacy of the European Norm 1500 (EN 1500) reference waterless hand antisepsis agent ...<br/><br/>Sasi Dharan, Stéphane Hugonnet, Hugo Sax, Didier Pittet (2003) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 24: 3 160-164<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid29 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of using different denominators on risk estimates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study in the medical ICU of a large teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All consecutive patients admitted for more than 48 h between October 1995 and November 1997. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We recorded all ICU-acquired infections using m...<br/><br/>Philippe Eggimann, Stéphane Hugonnet, Hugo Sax, Sylvie Touveneau, Jean-Claude Chevrolet, Didier Pittet (2003) <i>Intensive Care Med</i> <i></i> <i></i> 29: 11 2086-2089<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid30 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

The proportion of nosocomial infections potentially preventable under routine working conditions remains unclear. We performed a systematic review to describe multi-modal intervention studies, as well as studies assessing exogenous cross-infection published during the last decade, in order to give a crude estimate of the proportion of potentially preventable nosocomial infections. The evaluation o...<br/><br/>S Harbarth, H Sax, P Gastmeier (2003) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 54: 4 258-66; quiz 321<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid38 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

The development of antibiotic resistance, known since the early days of antibiotic therapy, has accelerated in recent years and makes a postantibiotic era a realistic future scenario. The battle against increasingly resistant strains has become a major concern for infectious disease and infection control specialists worldwide. The issue has now gained heightened awareness among physicians in all s...<br/><br/>H Sax (2002) <i>Ther Umsch</i> <i></i> <i></i> 59: 1 51-55<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid36 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Didier Schoevaerdts, Hugo Sax, Gaetan Gavazzi, Jean-Jacques Perrenoud, Jean-Pierre Michel, Cornel C Sieber (2002) <i>Age Ageing</i> <i></i> <i></i> 31: 3 219-220<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid35 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Legionnaires' disease is a community-acquired or hospital-acquired pneumonia, and the immunocompromised patient is at particular risk. We report a case of serogroup 1 pneumonia in a renal transplant patient shortly after grafting. No source of infection was identified in the hospital unit, but an extended investigation located patient exposure to a shower during a weekend home stay. Sampling at th...<br/><br/>Hugo Sax, Sasi Dharan, Didier Pittet (2002) <i>Transplantation</i> <i></i> <i></i> 74: 6 890-892<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid34 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infection rates are used to assess patient safety and the effectiveness of health care systems, but adjustment for case-mix, a key factor for benchmarking, is often overlooked. OBJECTIVES: To perform a nationwide prevalence study of nosocomial infection and evaluate the impact of hospital size on infection rates. METHODS: One-week-period prevalence study in 18 acute care hos...<br/><br/>Hugo Sax, Didier Pittet (2002) <i>Arch Intern Med</i> <i></i> <i></i> 162: 21 2437-2442<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid32 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Over the past years, there have been very few imported cases of VHF in Switzerland: one confirmed and four suspected cases of Ebola fever in Basel in 1994, two suspected cases of Ebola and Lassa fevers in Lausanne in 2000, and in the same year, six suspected cases of Lassa fever in Geneva. Given the considerable diversity in the management of patients with suspected or confirmed VHF, national guid...<br/><br/>Stéphane Hugonnet, Hugo Sax, Didier Pittet (2002) <i>Euro Surveill</i> <i></i> <i></i> 7: 3 42-44<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid33 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVE: To assess the added value of surveying patients after discharge from the intensive care unit. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit of a large teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All patients admitted to the intensive care unit for 48 hrs or more from October 1995 to November 1997. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We prospectively surveyed 1,068 patients during t...<br/><br/>Stéphane Hugonnet, Philippe Eggimann, Hugo Sax, Sylvie Touveneau, Jean-Claude Chevrolet, Didier Pittet (2002) <i>Crit Care Med</i> <i></i> <i></i> 30: 12 2636-2638<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid40 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

A study was performed to estimate the prevalence of nosocomial infections (NI) and assess differences between medical care settings in one hospital complex. A seven-day period-prevalence survey was conducted in May 1998 in a large primary and tertiary healthcare centre in Geneva, Switzerland, that included all patients in acute, sub-acute and chronic care settings. Variables included demography, e...<br/><br/>H Sax, S Hugonnet, S Harbarth, P Herrault, D Pittet (2001) <i>J Hosp Infect</i> <i></i> <i></i> 48: 1 27-32<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid39 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

BACKGROUND: Concurrent potent therapy of hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV includes at least five antiviral drugs. Drug interactions, toxicity, tolerance and acceptance by patients of such treatment regimens are unknown. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective open randomized pilot trial was conducted to test interferon-alpha (6 million units/day for the 1st month followed by 6 million thrice weekly) and amantadine v...<br/><br/>H Sax, A Friedl, E Renner, M H Steuerwald, R Weber (2001) <i>Infection</i> <i></i> <i></i> 29: 5 267-270<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid37 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Biocides are helpful in different healthcare settings to reduce or eradicate harmful pathogens on the skin, medical devices, and in the environment. This article reviews recent advances in hand hygiene, instrument sterilization, decolonization with mupirocin, and the challenges posed by environmental contamination, and prion disease. Do biocides induce resistance?<br/><br/> Sax, Pittet (2000) <i>Curr Opin Infect Dis</i> <i></i> <i></i> 13: 4 395-399<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid42 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

The impact of an infectious disease (ID) service on the optimal antibiotic management of 103 patients with bloodstream infections, defined as bacteremia and systemic inflammatory response syndrome, was evaluated. The optimal antibiotic management was defined according to the Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy (1996) or written internal guidelines. The judgment on optimal antibiotic management ...<br/><br/>U Fluckiger, W Zimmerli, H Sax, R Frei, A F Widmer (2000) <i>Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis</i> <i></i> <i></i> 19: 7 493-500<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid45 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

A F Widmer, H Sax, D Pittet (1999) <i>Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 20: 1 17-21<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid44 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

The incidence of nosocomial infections is one of the most important quality indicators in health care. It increases the economical burden, augments morbidity, lengthens hospital stay, and is associated with a high mortality rate. Infection control programs are designed to minimize such adverse events. An effective infection control program can reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections by over ...<br/><br/>H Sax, C Ruef, A F Widmer (1999) <i>Schweiz Med Wochenschr</i> <i></i> <i></i> 129: 7 276-284<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid43 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic significance of drug-associated mutations in the protease and reverse transcriptase (RT) genes on virological response to salvage therapy. PATIENTS: All patients from four centres of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study who were switched, between February and October 1997, to nelfinavir plus other antiretroviral drugs following failure of highly active antiretroviral ther...<br/><br/>P Lorenzi, M Opravil, B Hirschel, J P Chave, H J Furrer, H Sax, T V Perneger, L Perrin, L Kaiser, S Yerly (1999) <i>AIDS</i> <i></i> <i></i> 13: 2 F17-F21<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid41 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Despite significant progress in antibiotic therapy and orthopedic surgery, osteomyelitis remains a difficult-to-treat infection that is often associated with recurrence. In this paper we summarize the most recent developments in understanding the pathogenesis of this complex disease, as well as novel means for its diagnosis and treatment.<br/><br/> Sax, Lew (1999) <i>Curr Infect Dis Rep</i> <i></i> <i></i> 1: 3 261-266<br/>

http://publicationslist.org/hugo.sax_hcuge.ch/refid46 2008-01-28T13:33:26Z

Autoantibodies against platelet glycoproteins (anti-GP) are found in the majority of patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) as well as in thrombocytopenia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some of these patients may have anti-phospholipid antibodies (anti-PL). To evaluate the pathogenetic significance of anti-PL and anti-GP antibodies in AITP and SLE patients, we invest...<br/><br/>E Lipp, A von Felten, H Sax, D Müller, P Berchtold (1998) <i>Eur J Haematol</i> <i></i> <i></i> 60: 5 283-288<br/>