Reducing Duration of Antibiotic Use for Presumed Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis in Greek NICUs. A “Low-Hanging Fruit” Approach

Ioannis Kopsidas, Grammatiki-Christina Tsopela, Nafsika-Maria Molocha, Eleni Bouza,Elisavet Chorafa, Evangelia Chorianopoulou, Vasileios Giapros, Despoina Gkentzi, Theodoros Gkouvas, Anastasia Kapetanaki, Korina Karachristou, Georgia Karavana, Eleni Kourkouni, Georgia Kourlaba, Maria Lithoxopoulou, Vassiliki Papaevangelou, Maria Polychronaki, Emmanuel Roilides, Tania Siahanidou, Evangelia Stratiki, George A. Syrogiannopoulos, Christos Triantafyllou, Maria N. Tsolia, Emmanouela Tsouvala, Theoklis Zaoutis, Nikos Spyridis and Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections in Greece (PHiG) Investigators

Antibiotics, 2021 Mar;Online. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10030275

Abstract

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), where stewardship interventions are challenging. Lowering antibiotic consumption is desperately needed in Greece, a country with high antibiotic resistance rates. We sought to assess the effectiveness of a low-cost and -resource intervention to reduce antibiotic use in Greek NICUs implementing a “low-hanging fruit” approach. A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted in 15/17 public NICUs in Greece (9/2016–06/2019).

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Treatment and Outcomes of Children With Febrile Urinary Tract Infection Due to Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing Bacteria in Europe: TOO CUTE Study

Vazouras K, Hsia Y, Folgori L, Bielicki J, Aguadisch E, Bamford A, Brett A, Caseris M, Cerkauskiene R, De Luca M, Iosifidis E, Kopsidas J, Manzanares Á, Planche T, Riordan A, Srovin TP, Valdivielso Martínez AI, Vergadi E, Sharland M, Basmaci R.   

Pediatric Infectectius Diseases Journal, 2020 Dec;39(12):1081-1087. DOI:https://doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002838

Abstract 

Background: The prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Εnterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) is increasing globally. ESBL-PE are an important cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. We aimed to characterize the clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes of child-hood UTI caused by ESBL-PE in Europe.

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Willingness of Greek general population to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Kourlaba G, Kourkouni E, Maistreli S, Tsopela CG, Molocha NM, Triantafyllou C, Koniordou M, Kopsidas I, Chorianopoulou E, Maroudi-Manta S, Filippou D, Zaoutis TE.

Glob Health Res Policy, 2021 Jan 29;6(1):3. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-021-00188-1

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological data indicate that a large part of population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Hence, it is of high importance for public health officials to know whether people are going to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to examine the willingness of adult residents in Greece to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

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Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding COVID-19 among the Greek general population

Georgia Kourlaba, Christos Triantafyllou, Eleni Kourkouni, Nafsika-Maria Molocha, Evangelia Chorianopoulou, Markela Koniordou, Ioannis Kopsidas, Stefania Maistreli, Christina - Grammatiki Tsopela, Stefania Maroudi-Manta, Dimitrios Filippou, Theoklis E. Zaoutis.

Pneumon, 2020 Dec;Online. DOI:http://www.pneumon.org/online-first/newsid789/820

Abstract

Introduction: Countries worldwide have adopted unprecedented infection control and prevention measures to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The success of these measures depends on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the general population toward COVID-19.The objective of this study was to measure the KAP of adult Greek residents toward COVID-19.

Methods: A cross-sectional nationwide survey (n=1,004) was conducted during between April 28,2020 to May 03,2020 using a mixed methodology for data collection: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) and Computer Assisted web Interviewing (CAWI). A systematic sampling procedure (stratified by region) was used to ensure a nationally representative sample of the urban/rural population. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire.

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Perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in adult patients: The first multicenter clinical practice audit with intervention in Greek surgical departments

Elisavet Chorafa, Elias Iosifidis, Sotirios Tsiodras, Athanasios Skoutelis, Eleni Kourkouni, Ioannis Kopsidas, Grammatiki-Christina Tsopela, Evangelia Chorianopoulou, Christos Triantafyllou, Georgia Kourlaba, Theoklis Zaoutis, Emmanuel Roilides, and the Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections in Greece (PHiG) investigators

Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 2020 Nov;Online. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2020.1276

Abstract

Objective: To audit clinical practice and implement an intervention to promote appropriate use of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis (PAP).

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter before-and-after study, conducted in 7 surgical departments of 3 major Greek hospitalsActive PAP surveillance in adults undergoing elective surgical procedures was performed before and after implementation of a multimodal intervention. The surveillance monitored use of appropriate antimicrobial agent according to international and local guidelines, appropriate timing and duration of PAP, overall compliance with all 3 parameters and the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs). The intervention included education, audit, and feedback.

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