EXCESS ANTIBIOTICS AT DISCHARGE, MRSA BACTEREMIA IN COVID PATIENTS
A study conducted at Johns Hopkins Hospital found that three-quarters of patients evaluated were prescribed excess antibiotics at discharge, and durations were frequently longer than recommended, researchers reported last week in the American Journal of Infection Control.

During the study period, 196 patients were discharged on antibiotics, with 147 (75%) prescribed excess antibiotic days.

Increasing antimicrobial stewardship efforts in both the outpatient setting and at hospital or emergency department discharge can improve antibiotic prescribing by clinicians and ensure that antibiotics are only prescribed when necessary
Full Access: CIDRAP

PRIOR EXPOSURE TO AZITHROMYCIN AND AZITHROMYCIN RESISTANCE AMONG PERSONS DIAGNOSED WITH NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE INFECTION AT A SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC 2012-2019
In this population study, patient with culture-positive NG infection at >1 anatomic site whose isolates were tested for AZM susceptibility 2012-2019. A total of 2,155 unique patient had 2,828 incident NG infections, 156 (6%) of which were caused by AZM resistant NG. AZM resistant NG was strongly associated with receipt of AZM in the prior 29 days, but not if receipt in the prior 30-365 days.
Full Access: IDSA

NATION WARNED TO BRACE FOR A DIFFICULT FLU SEASON
Health experts are warning the nation to brace for what could be an exceptionally severe flu season this fall and winter, as more people who have not built up immunity over the last few years mix and mingle. There are two big reasons why more people could be vulnerable to the flu this year.
Full Access: The Hill

CDC WARNS OF ENTEROVIRUS STRAIN LINKED TO POLIO-LIKE CONDITION
In August, healthcare providers and hospitals notified the CDC of an increase in severe respiratory illness in children who also tested positive for rhinovirus (RV) or enterovirus (EV). Additional testing revealed that some children were positive for EV-D68. EV-D68 primarily causes acute respiratory illness. According to a Health Network Alert advisory on September 9, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a recent uptick in severe respiratory illness in children may be tied to a strain of enterovirus that can cause a rare polio-like condition.
Full Access: Medscape