The Italian burden of disease associated with infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been very high, largely attributed to Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp). The implementation of infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) has been shown to reduce healthcare-related infections caused by multidrug resistance (MDR) germs. Since 2016, in our teaching hospital of Terni, an ASP has been implemented in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, with the “daily-ICU round strategy” and particular attention to infection control measures. We performed active surveillance for search patients colonized by Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). In March 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) arrived and the same ICU was reserved only for COVID-19 patients. In our retrospective observational study, we analyzed the bimonthly incidence of CRE colonization patients and the incidence of CRE acquisition in our ICU during the period of January 2019 to June 2020. In consideration of the great attention and training of all staff on infection control measures in the COVID-19 era, we would have expected a clear reduction in CRE acquisition, but this did not happen. In fact, the incidence of CRE acquisition went from 6.7% in 2019 to 50% in March–April 2020. We noted that 67% of patients that had been changed in posture with prone position were colonized by CRE, while only 37% of patients that had not been changed in posture were colonized by CRE. In our opinion, the high intensity of care, the prone position requiring 4–5 healthcare workers (HCWs), equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) in a high risk area, with extended and prolonged contact with the patient, and the presence of 32 new HCWs from other departments and without work experience in the ICU setting, contributed to the spread of CR-Kp in our ICU, determining an increase in CRE acquisition colonization.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that is responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has rapidly spread across the world, becoming a pandemic. The “cytokine storm” (CS) in COVID-19 leads to the worst stage of illness, and its timely control through immunomodulators, corticosteroids, and cytokine antagonists may be the key to reducing mortality. After reviewing published studies, we proposed a Cytokine Storm Score (CSs) to identify patients who were in this hyperinflammation state, and at risk of progression and poorer outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed 31 patients admitted to Infectious Disease Department in “St. Maria” Hospital in Terni with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, and analyzed the “CS score” (CSs) and the severity of COVID-19. Then we conducted a prospective study of COVID-19 patients admitted after the definition of the CSscore. This is the first study that proposes and applies a new score to quickly identify COVID-19 patients who are in a hyperinflammation stage, to rapidly treat them in order to reduce the risk of intubation. CSs can accurately identify COVID-19 patients in the early stages of a CS, to conduct timely, safe, and effect administration of immunomodulators, corticosteroids, and cytokine antagonists, to prevent progression and reduce mortality.

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Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections. The appropriate use of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (SAP) is a key component to reduce SSIs, while its inappropriate application is a major cause of some emerging infections and selects for antibiotic resistance. We describe an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) intervention on SAP appropriateness. The prospective study was conducted in an Italian hospital, in 12 main surgical units, and was organized in three subsequent phases, as follows. Phase 0: Definition of hospital evidence-based guidelines and a new workflow to optimize the process of ordering, dispensing, administering and documenting the SAP. Phase 1: We analysed 2059 elective surgical cases from January to June 2018 for three SAP parameters of appropriateness: indication, choice and dose. Phase 2: In July 2018, an audit was performed to analyse the results; we reviewed 1781 elective surgical procedures from July to December 2018 looking for the same three SAP appropriateness parameters. The comparative analysis between phases 1 and 2 demonstrated that the correct indication, the correct dose and the overall compliance significantly improved (p-value 0.00128, p-value < 2.2·1016 and p-value < 5.6·1012 respectively). Our prospective study demonstrates a model of successful antimicrobial stewardship intervention that improves appropriateness on SAP.

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For the Italian laboratories investigated, relevant variability was highlighted for performance of the OGTT in general and GDM screening in particular. A variable relationship between laboratories and diabetes centres was also detected, which might represent a relevant indicator for the need for rationalisation or standardisation of the method for performing an OGTT. These data highlight the need for greater collaboration between these different bodies. We suggest that other similar investigations should be carried out in other countries within the framework of the IFCC Global Campaign on Diabetes Mellitus.