title: Information concerning multidrug-resistant bacterial colonization or infection in the medical transfer letter.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of transfer letters that contained information relative to infection or colonization by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and factors associated with the presence of that information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients for whom at least one of these selected MDR bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, or MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was isolated during their hospitalization and who were transferred to another health care facility between 2009 and 2012 were included. Information of the MDR bacterium and the mention of isolation precautions were evaluated in the electronic medical record.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Information (mention of MDR bacterium or isolation precaution) was present in 57% [52; 65] of records. Full information (genus and species, concept of MDR bacterium and mention of isolation precaution) was found in 20% [16; 25]. The presence of a dedicated item in the standard medical discharge letter was associated with more frequent information. Less information was retrieved with P. aeruginosa cases than with the other 2 MDR bacteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of the information has improved, but it is still insufficiently reported. Measures to improve information are needed. Indeed, information on MDR bacterial colonization or infection is the first step for isolation precautions. An item could be added to all standard medical discharge letters. An item could also be added to the indicators used to assess quality and safety in healthcare facilities.
authors.affiliation: Infection control unit, Dijon University Hospital, 21800 Dijon, France. Electronic address: annick.lefebvre@chu-dijon.fr.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
authors.affiliation: Infection control unit, Dijon University Hospital, 21800 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laporte
authors.affiliation: Infection control unit, Dijon University Hospital, 21800 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faure
authors.affiliation: Infection control unit, Dijon University Hospital, 21800 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiv
authors.affiliation: Department of infectious diseases, Dijon University Hospital, 21800 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chavanet
authors.affiliation: Infection control unit, Dijon University Hospital, 21800 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belpois-Duchamp
authors.affiliation: Infection control unit, Dijon University Hospital, 21800 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Astruc
authors.affiliation: Infection control unit, Dijon University Hospital, 21800 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Aho-Glélé
mesh_terms: D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008499:Medical Records; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections
keywords: Bacterial resistance; Infection control; Isolement du patient; Lutte contre l’infection; Multiple; Patient isolation; Résistance bactérienne