Increasing healthcare workers’ uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital in Greece with a low-cost, tailor-made, multifaceted strategy

Ioannis Kopsidas, Grammatiki-Christina Tsopela, Stefania Maroudi-Manta, Eleni Kourkouni, Dimitrios Charalampopoulos, Alexandra Sirogianni, Madeline E. Collins, Athanasia Lourida, Georgia Kourlaba, Theoklis E. Zaoutis, Susan E. Coffin

Vaccine, 2020 Jun;38(29):4609-4615. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.021

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers’ (HCW) seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is critical to prevent nosocomial influenza. However, HCW vaccination rates remain unacceptably low in many European institutions. A two-year three-step initiative was implemented at a tertiary-care pediatric hospital with 750 beds in Athens, Greece with the aim of increasing SIV among HCW.

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Attributable length of stay and cost for pediatric and neonatal centralline-associated bloodstream infections in Greece

Sofia Karagiannidou, Theoklis Zaoutis, Nikolaos Maniadakis, Vassiliki Papaevangelou, Georgia Kourlaba

Journal of Infection and Public Health, 2019 May-June;12(3):372-79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2018.12.004

Abstract 

Background and objective: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are the most frequent pediatric hospital-acquired infections and are associated with significant morbidity and healthcare costs. The aim of our study was to determine the attributable length of stay (LOS) and cost for CLABSIs in pediatric patients in Greece, for which there is currently a paucity of data.

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Surveillance for central-line-associated bloodstream infections: Accuracy of different sampling strategies

Kourkouni E, Kourlaba G, Chorianopoulou E, Tsopela GC, Kopsidas I, Spyridaki I, Tsiodras S, Roilides E, Coffin S, Zaoutis TE; PHIG investigators.

Infection Control Hospital Epidemiology, 2018 Oct;39(10):1210-1215. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2018.187

Abstract 

Background: Active daily surveillance of central-line days (CLDs) in the assessment of rates of central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) is time-consuming and burdensome for healthcare workers. Sampling of denominator data is a method that could reduce the time necessary to conduct active surveillance.

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Establishing Nationally Representative Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) Surveillance Data in Paediatric Patients in Greece

Kouni S, Tsolia M, Roilides E, Dimitriou G, Tsiodras S, Skoutelis A, Kourkouni E, Gkentzi D, Iosifidis E, Spyridis N, Kopsidas I, Karakosta P, Tsopela G.C, Spyridaki I, Kourlaba G, Coffin S, Zaoutis E.T, for the PHIG Investigators

Journal of Hospital Infection, 2019 Jan;101(1):53-59. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2018.07.032

Abstract

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality and with excess costs. Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are the most common HCAIs in neonates and children.

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The impact of access to immunization information on vaccine acceptance in three countries

Lori K. Handy, Stefania Maroudi, Maura Powell, Bakanuki Nfila, Charlotte Moser, Ingrid Japa, Ndibo Monyatsi, Elena Tzortzi, Ismini Kouzeli, Anthony Luberti, Maria Theodoridou, Paul Offit, Andrew Steenhoff, Judy A. Shea, Kristen A. Feemster

PLoS One. 2017; 12(8): e0180759, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180759

Abstract 

Introduction: Vaccine acceptance is a critical component of sustainable immunization programs, yet rates of vaccine hesitancy are rising. Increased access to misinformation through media and antivaccine advocacy is an important contributor to hesitancy in the United States and other high-income nations with robust immunization programs.  Little is known about the content and effect of information sources on attitudes toward vaccination in settings with rapidly changing or unstable immunization programs.

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