1.Study on the nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus among healthcare workers in a hospital in Shaanxi Province
ZHENG Gezhi ; DU Juan ; WEN Juan ; ZHANG Liang ; HE Yingli
China Tropical Medicine 2023;23(9):954-
Abstract: Objective To determine the rate of nasal carriage Staphylococcus aureus among healthcare workers in Department of Infectious Diseases department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University Hospital, and to perform characterization on isolated strains. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 86 healthcare workers from February 2022 to June. Nasal swabs were collected from the healthcare workers, and S. aureus were identified after incubation. Antibiotic susceptibility, including chlorhexidine and mupirocin, was assessed by disk diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration method. The PCR technique was used to detect the biocide resistance genes (qacAB, smr, lmrS mepA, and sepA), virulence genes (pvl, fnbA/fnbB, sea, seb, sec, sed, tst, eta, etb) and mecA gene. SCCmec typing and multilocus sequence typing was performed. For mupirocin-resistant strains, PCR amplification and sequencing were used to identify whether the strains had ileS gene mutations or carried resistant genes (mupA and mupB). Results S. aureus was isolated from 37 of the 86 healthcare workers (43.02%) , including 13 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. The strains showed low resistance rates to levofloxacin (2.70%, 1/37), chloramphenicol (8.11%, 3/37), tetracycline (8.11%, 3/37), gentamicin (10.81%, 4/37), and ciprofloxacin (10.81%, 4/37). A total of 17 strains were identified as multidrug-resistant strains. Four SCCmec types were identified in MRSA strains, with the type II being the most frequent (53.85%, 7/13), followed by type IV (30.77%, 4/13). ST59 (46.15%, 6/13) was the most frequent among MRSA strains, while ST5 (41.67%, 10/24) was the most frequent among methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains. sea was the most frequent virulence gene (56.76%, 21/37). sepA and mepA were detected in all 37 isolates. One Staphylococcus aureus strain was not sensitive to chlorhexidine, two strains had the missense mutation V588F (G1762T) and showed low level resistance to mupirocin, and one strain carrying mupA gene was highly resistant to mupirocin. Conclusion The nasal colonization rate of Staphylococcus aureus among healthcare worker in the investigated hospital was high, indicating a risk for nosocomial infections. Strengthened monitoring and decolonization treatment should be carried out to reduce these risks.
2.Characteristics of Participants for Developing Emergency Health Systems Guidance Based on AGREE-HS
An LI ; Gezhi ZHANG ; Xue CHEN ; Fangqi LIU ; Danping ZHENG ; Weixuan BAI ; Wei YANG ; Dongfeng WEI ; Nannan SHI ; Mengyu LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):157-163
The formulation method of emergency health systems guidance (HSG) is crucial, directly impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of responses in emergencies. A scientifically sound, systematic, and easily executable guidance document can assist health institutions at all levels in quickly coordinating resources, standardizing emergency response processes, and safeguarding public health. This study employed the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation for Health Systems (AGREE-HS) to analyze the characteristics of participants in developing emergency HSGs represented by the COVID-19 emergency HSG. The results showed that in the 34 HSGs included in this study, the item participants received the lowest score. Within this item, criterion 1 (diversity of development group) scored the highest (3.13±1.55), while criterion 5 (prevention of funding agency influence) scored the lowest (1.21±0.47). There were differences (P<0.05) in measures taken to mitigate funding agency influence between the six standard HSGs developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the four emergency HSGs. Additionally, differences (P<0.05) existed in the development group members, background, conflicts of interest, and preventive measures between the six WHO standard HSGs and the 34 emergency HSGs, as well as between the HSGs developed by the WHO and those developed by countries. The participants in developing emergency HSGs were influenced by various factors, including limited time for guideline development, modes of participation, scarce evidence, and uncertainties in expected outcomes. There is a need to downplay extensive requirements concerning the composition of group members, institutional diversity, and conflicts of interest, emphasizing the roles of key participants like government officials and professionals who can provide rapid, practical guidance in emergency situations.
3.Characteristics of Recommendations for Emergency Health Systems Guidance Based on AGREE-HS
Gezhi ZHANG ; Cuifang LIU ; Danping ZHENG ; Xue CHEN ; An LI ; Fangqi LIU ; Dongfeng WEI ; Wei YANG ; Nannan SHI ; Mengyu LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):164-170
Recommendations, consensus-based syntheses of the best available evidence, constitute the core content of a guideline. This paper analyzes the characteristics of emergency health systems guidance documents (HSGs), represented by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emergency HSG, regarding the item "recommendations" and its eight evaluation criteria in the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation for Health Systems (AGREE-HS). The World Health Organization (WHO) standard HSGs were used as reference to explore the characteristics of emergency HSGs that are different from non-emergency HSGs. The results showed that the “recommendations” scored second after “topic” among the five items. Criterion 7 relating to operability scored higher than others among the eight criteria, and criterion 3 dealing with ethical principles scored lower than other criteria. Compared with the standard HSGs, the emergency HSGs showed decreased scores (P<0.05) of the item recommendations and the criteria of this item except criterion 4 concerning equity promotion. Among the HSGs with different developers, those developed by the WHO had higher (P<0.05) scores of recommendations than nationally developed HSGs, as evidenced by criterion 4, criterion 5 involving acceptability to and alignment with sociocultural and political interests, and criterion 8 for updating plans. The HSGs regarding global or country strategy scored higher (P<0.05) on criterion 2 relating to comprehensiveness than those involving specific guidance on clinical or material issues. Overall, the emergency HSGs, represented by the COVID-19 emergency HSGs, differ from the standard HSGs in a number of ways in terms of their recommendations. Emergency HSGs have more condensed content and weaker articulation of expected outcomes. They incline to put more emphasis on updating plans, rather than comprehensiveness or integrative requirements in terms of ethics, equity, and sociocultural and political interests.
4.Characteristics of Topic for Emergency Health Systems Guidance Based on AGREE-HS
Xue CHEN ; An LI ; Fangqi LIU ; Danping ZHENG ; Gezhi ZHANG ; Nannan SHI ; Wei YANG ; Dongfeng WEI ; Mengyu LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):171-177
The clear definition of the topic in emergency health systems guidance (HSG) ensures the relevance, scientific rigor, and practicality of the guidance, providing a clear direction and a framework for a rapid and effective public health response. This study used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation-Health Systems (AGREE-HS) to demonstratively evaluate the global COVID-19 emergency HSGs and World Health Organization (WHO) standard HSGs, aiming to explore the characteristics of topic in emergency HSGs. The results showed that in the 34 HSGs included, the item topic received the highest score. Specifically, criterion 4 relating to relevant and applicable factors scored the highest (5.59), while criterion 3 concerning the prioritization of health system challenges scored the lowest (2.76). There were differences (P<0.05) in criterion 1 between standard HSGs and overall emergency HSGs, as well as between WHO and national emergency HSGs. Criterion 3 also showed differences (P<0.05) between standard HSGs and emergency HSGs, as well as between WHO and national emergency HSGs. Criterion 4 displayed differences (P<0.000 1) between WHO and national emergency HSGs. No differences were observed in intra-group or inter-group comparisons of different emergency HSG subcategories (P<0.05). Overall, emergency HSGs represented by the COVID-19 emergency HSG focus on detailing the challenges faced by the health system, including the natures of challenges, affected populations, and other relevant and applicable factors, while aligning with stakeholder concerns. The prioritization is downplayed, with emphasis placed on rapid responses to and flexible handling of urgent issues. Influenced by factors such as the evidence base, phase timing, and effectiveness, the topic setting shows variations.
5.Characteristics of Implementability of Emergency Health Systems Guidance Based on AGREE-HS
Fangqi LIU ; Mengyu LIU ; Danping ZHENG ; An LI ; Xue CHEN ; Gezhi ZHANG ; Dongfeng WEI ; Wei YANG ; Weixuan BAI ; Yong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):250-256
Guidance implementation acts as a bridge between theory and practice,enabling the rapid expansion of their impact and application. This study demonstratively evaluated emergency health systems guidance documents (HSG),represented by the COVID-19 emergency HSG,based on the item implementability of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation-Health Systems (AGREE-HS),aiming to explore the characteristics of implementability in emergency HSG. The evaluation results indicated that the COVID-19 emergency HSG had a low mean score in implementability,which ranked just above the item participants. Criterion 2 (costs and resource considerations for implementing the recommendations) received the highest mean score of 4.29,while criterion 9 (systematic evaluation of implementation) received the lowest mean score of 1.34. The emergency HSG formulated by the World Health Organization(WHO) and those formulated by various countries showed no difference (P=0.114) in criterion 1 (barriers and facilitators to implementation) but had differences (P<0.05) regarding the average item scores and the scores of the remaining criteria. The WHO standard HSG had high overall scores and had differences (P<0.05) in both the mean item scores and the scores of the nine criteria when compared with the emergency HSG. The global/national HSG showed differences in scores of criterion 1 (barriers and facilitators to implementation) compared with the both clinically relevant HSG and material support HSG (P<0.05). Emergency HSG prioritized considerations of implementation costs,resources,and flexibility in terms of implementability,while de-emphasizing aspects such as stakeholder opinions,dissemination strategies,and evaluation of HSG. This may be attributed to the context in which emergency HSG are formulated,given the inherent flexibility and variability of emergency health events. The developers should comprehensively consider the needs and characteristics related to the implementability of emergency HSG during the formulation process.
6.Characteristics of Emergency Health Systems Guidance Based on AGREE-HS
Danping ZHENG ; Wei YANG ; Nannan SHI ; Dongfeng WEI ; An LI ; Gezhi ZHANG ; Xue CHEN ; Fangqi LIU ; Zhaoshuai YAN ; Weixuan BAI ; Xinghua XIANG ; Yaxin TIAN ; Mengyu LIU ; Huamin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):137-148
This study used the Appraisal of Guidelines Research & Evaluation-Health Systems (AGREE-HS) to demonstratively compare 34 global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) health systems guidance documents (HSGs) and 6 World Health Organization (WHO) standard HSGs. The comparison involved topic, participants, methods, recommendations, and implementability, with the aim of exploring the characteristics of emergency HSGs. The results showed that the emergency HSGs had an overall average score of 49%, with topic having the highest score, recommendations having the second highest score, and participants having the lowest score. The standard HSGs had an overall average score of 79%, with high scores in all items. The emergency HSGs had lower scores in participants, methods, recommendations, and implementability than the standard HSGs (P<0.001), while the COVID-19 emergency HSGs developed by the WHO had higher score in topic than the standard HSGs (P<0.05). Compared with those released by countries, the COVID-19 emergency HSG developed by the WHO showed superiority in all items and overall scores (P=0.000 2). This indicates that emergency HSGs, represented by the COVID-19 emergency HSG, place equal emphasis on topic and recommendations as standard HSGs but have low requirements in terms of expert participation, evidence support, and comprehensive consideration in the time- and resource-limited context. They have the characteristics of prominent topics, clear purposes, orientation to demand, keeping up with the latest evidence, flexible adjustment, and timeliness, emphasizing immediate implementation effects, weakening long-term effects, and focusing on comprehensive benefits. Additionally, developers, types, and report completeness are important influencing factors.
7.Characteristics of Developing Methods for Emergency Health Systems Guidance Based on AGREE-HS
Danping ZHENG ; Wei YANG ; Dongfeng WEI ; Nannan SHI ; Lin TONG ; An LI ; Gezhi ZHANG ; Xue CHEN ; Fangqi LIU ; Weixuan BAI ; Xinghua XIANG ; Mengyu LIU ; Huamin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):149-156
The scientific rigor and efficacy of methodologies employed in drafting emergency health systems guidance documents (HSGs) are paramount in guaranteeing the quality, reliability, and applicability of HSGs. According to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation- Health Systems (AGREE-HS), we demonstratively assessed both global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emergency HSGs and World Health Organization (WHO) standard HSGs to uncover the core attributes of methods employed in the development of emergency HSGs. Our evaluation findings revealed that across the five assessment items of AGREE-HS, methods in the 34 emergency HSGs evaluated ranked third, trailing behind topic and recommendations. Notably, criterion 2 (the best available and most contextually relevant evidence is considered) received the highest score, whereas criterion 5 (evidence of cost and cost-effectiveness of the potential options is described) scored the lowest. Compared with the WHO standard HSGs, the COVID-19 emergency HSGs exhibited low scores in methods (P<0.05), which was reflected in nine criteria (P<0.05), especially in criteria 1 (systematic and transparent methods are used to identify and review the evidence) and 9 (systematic and transparent methods are used to agree upon the final recommendations). Among the COVID-19 emergency HSGs, that developed by the WHO achieved higher scores in eight out of all nine criteria, excluding criterion 8 (P<0.05). The clinically relevant emergency HSGs had higher scores in the criteria 3 (the evidence base is current) and 8 (the rationale behind the recommendations is clear) than other types of emergency HSGs. Collectively, the methodology for developing emergency HSGs, represented by the COVID-19 emergency HSG, underscores evidence orientation and integrates expert consensus. It is characterized by adaptable evidence synthesis strategies, streamlined evidence review protocols, and contextual relevance, all of which are influenced by external, internal, and implementation-specific factors.