Cost Effective Virtual Intensive Care Unit Expanding Capabilities in Critical Access Hospitals

Background Tele-consults provide access to specialized care for a specific question and single point in time. eICU models utilize remote monitoring and ordering but have significant financial burden. We developed a virtual intensive care unit (VICU) for daily input of an intensivist working with local physicians. The purpose was to expand the acute care ability of the critical access hospital (CAH). The study evaluates the impact on the CAH and system. Methods The CAH developed an ICU team, led by a hospitalist, who staffed the intensive care unit (ICU). The CAH ICU team rounds daily via a secure video link to provide care in consultation with intensivists based at a university, tertiary care center (TC). A retrospective analysis was conducted 6 months before and after implementation (4/2018-3/2019). Fisher’s exact test was used to compare pre- and post-intervention with significance at P < .04. Results After VICU implementation, there were 265 initial daily and 35 follow-up consults. Monthly transfers to a higher level of care decreased from 63 to 57 ( P = .03). Transfers to TC increased from 49.6 to 62.0% ( P = .001). Critical access hospital average monthly census and average monthly inpatient days increased (69 to 130 ( P < .0001) and 158 to 319 ( P < .0001), respectively). Critical access hospital physicians report increased comfort to admit ICU and non-ICU patients due to the program. The total startup cost was $5180. CAH hired 11 providers. There were no unanticipated deaths. Discussion VICU implementation resulted in new CAH jobs. The CAH experienced increased inpatient census and revenues (ICU and non-ICU) while decreasing patients transferred out of the system.

Transmission of Carbapenemase-Producing Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in Georgia, 2018–2019

Background: In April 2019, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) initiated whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae identified since January 2018. The WGS data analyzed at CDC identified related Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates with hypervirulence markers from 2 patients. Carbapenemase-producing hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CP-hvKP) are rarely reported in the United States, but they can to cause serious, highly resistant, invasive infections. We conducted an investigation to identify cases and prevent spread. Methods: We defined a case as NDM-producing K. pneumoniae with ≥4 hypervirulence markers identified by WGS, isolated from any specimen source from a Georgia patient. We reviewed the case patient’s medical history to identify potentially affected facilities. We also performed PCR-based colonization screening and retrospective and prospective laboratory-based surveillance. Finally, we assessed facility infection control practices. Results: Overall, 7 cases from 3 case patients (A, B, and C) were identified (Fig. 1). The index case specimen was collected from case-patient A at ventilator-capable skilled nursing facility 1 (vSNF1) in May 2018. Case-patient A had been hospitalized for 1 month in India before transfer to the United States. Case-patient B’s initial isolate was collected in January 2019 on admission to vSNF2 from a critical access hospital (CAH). The CAH laboratory retrospectively identified case-patient C, who overlapped with case-patient B at the CAH in October 2018. The CAH and the vSNF2 are geographically distant from vSNF1. Case-patients B and C had no known epidemiologic links to case-patient A. Colonization screening occurred at vSNF1 in May 2018, following detection of NDM-producing K. pneumoniae from case-patient A ∼1 year before determining that the isolate carried hypervirulence markers. Among 30 residents screened, 1 had NDM and several had other carbapenemases. Subsequent screening did not identify additional NDM. Colonization screening of 112 vSNF2 residents and 13 CAH patients in 2019 did not reveal additional case patients; case-patient B resided at vSNF2 at the time of screening and remained colonized. At all 3 facilities, the DPH assessed infection control practices, issued recommendations to resolve lapses, and monitored implementation. The DPH sequenced all 27 Georgia NDM–K. pneumoniae isolates identified since January 2018; all were different multilocus sequence types from the CP-hvKP isolates, and none possessed hypervirulence markers. Conclusions: We hypothesize that CP-hvKP was imported by a patient hospitalized in India and spread to 3 Georgia facilities in 2 distinct geographic regions through indirect patient transfers. Although a response to contain NDM at vSNF1 in 2018 likely limited CP-hvKP transmission, WGS identified hvKP and established the relatedness of isolates from distinct regions, thereby directing the DPH’s additional containment activities to halt transmission.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

BUILDING AN AGE-FRIENDLY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Gateway GWEP has partnered with a rural Missouri critical access hospital to establish an age-friendly health system in their community. Program innovations include development and training of: 1) electronic health records integration of the Rapid Geriatric Assessment (RGA) for all patients 65+ years old; 2) RGA-based protocol for Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (MAWV); 3) Multidisciplinary health care assessment team 4) Evidence-based or Evidence Informed treatment interventions, including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), exercise and strengthening program for persons participating in CST, Care of Persons with Dementia in their Environments (COPE) and caregiver support. Since 2015, 1,200 RGAs, 338 MAWVs have been completed; 165 persons with dementia participated in CST; and 74 have participated in exercise and strengthening. Data supports positive outcomes in functional independence, cognitive status, and care-giver dementia management skills and well-being. Successes and lessons learned regarding strategies to develop an age-friendly health systems will be discussed.

451. High Rates of Hospitalization due to Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections in a Southwest American Indian Population

Background Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) involve the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, or muscle. Hospitalizations due to SSTIs represent a significant health disparity for American Indians (AI), but specific literature is limited. We characterized SSTI hospitalizations at our critical access hospital that exclusively serves an AI population in the American Southwest. Methods We identified patients hospitalized (admitted or transferred) with an SSTI from June 2017 to May 2018. Relevant cases underwent chart extraction for demographics, SSTI characteristics, laboratory and microbiologic data, relevant history and co-morbidities. All variables were summarized using descriptive statistics. Odds ratios and P-values with two-tailed tests were used to identify risk factors for multiple SSTI episodes. Results During the study period, 289 unique individuals comprised 343 SSTI hospitalizations / episodes (18% of the 1,883 total hospitalizations). The unadjusted annual rate of SSTI hospitalization was 2,018 per 100,000. There were 13 cases of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) with an unadjusted rate of 76 per 100,000 per year. Only 183 episodes (53%) had a wound culture performed, with 84% positive for a pathogenic organism, compared with 287 episodes (84%) with a blood culture performed, of which only 7% were positive for a pathogen. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-sensitive SA (MSSA)and/or Streptococcus pyogenes accounted for 74.9% (n = 125) and co-infection with these three organisms accounted for 22.2% (n = 37) of positive wound cultures (n = 167). An SSTI in the last year (49%), diabetes (41.9%), alcohol abuse (40%) and hypertension (39%) were common among all 289 individuals. Diabetes (OR 3.3, P < 0.01), hypertension (OR 2.8, P < 0.01), renal disease (OR 2.7, P < 0.05), previous SSTI (OR 3.0, P < 0.01) were associated with a higher risk of multiple SSTI hospitalizations. Conclusion The incidence rate of SSTI hospitalization in this Southwest AI population was 9-times greater than the general US population and 4-times greater than prior reports in Southwest AI. The NF rate was >10-times the general US population rate. We describe common co-morbidities among these SSTI episodes and potential risk factors for repeat hospitalization. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.