Tomasz Ozorowski

Publications of Tomasz Ozorowski

• The effect of an antibiotic policy on the control of vancomycin-resistant enterococci outbreak and on the resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from the blood of patients in a hematology unit.

  Authors: Tomasz Ozorowski, Magdalena Kawalec, Maria Zaleska, Lech Konopka, Waleria Hryniewicz

  Polskie archiwum medycyny wewnetrznej. 11/2009; 119(11):712-718.

  INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic resistance has become one of the main medical problems worldwide. This is mainly due to an overuse and misuse of antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assessINTRODUCTION: Antibiotic resistance has become one of the main medical problems worldwide. This is mainly due to an overuse and misuse of antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of an antibiotic policy and enhanced infection control on the occurrence of epidemic strains of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from the blood of patients hospitalized in two departments of a hematology center in Poland. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Antibiotic use was calculated in daily defined doses (DDD) per 100 patient-days during the two 5-month periods, before and after the introduction of the policy. Infection control measures included a 1-week screening for VRE rectal carriage and contact isolation. RESULTS: Antibiotic consumption decreased from 82.1 to 57.3 DDD per 100 patient-days, mainly because of a decrease in the use of co-trimoxazole, other antimicrobials active against anaerobes, and cephalosporins. A significant change in antibiotic resistance patterns was observed and in vitro efficacy of antibiotics against bacteria isolated from the blood increased remarkably. We managed to eradicate the outbreak of VRE. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of antibiotic policy and enhanced infection control measures may prove efficacious in VRE control.

• New selective and differential chromogenic agar medium, chromID VRE, for screening vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species.

  Authors: Alicja Kuch, Elżbieta Stefaniuk, Tomasz Ozorowski, Waleria Hryniewicz

  Journal of microbiological methods. 02/2009;

  This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a novel differential culture medium, chromID VRE agar, for the isolation of VRE in a clinical laboratory. It was shown that ChromID VRE agar may beThis study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a novel differential culture medium, chromID VRE agar, for the isolation of VRE in a clinical laboratory. It was shown that ChromID VRE agar may be useful for rapid and selective isolation of VRE especially after inclusion of broth enrichment step.

• Hospital antibiotic management in Poland - results of the ABS maturity survey of the ABS International group.

  Authors: Anna Olczak-Pienkowska, Beata Mazinska, Tomasz Ozorowski, Waleria Hryniewicz

  Wiener klinische Wochenschrift. 06/2008; 120(9-10):307-311.

  BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance is a serious worldwide problem, as underlined by European Union documents. The project ABS International has been appointed to identifyBACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance is a serious worldwide problem, as underlined by European Union documents. The project ABS International has been appointed to identify strengths and weaknesses of hospitals with regard to issues related to antibiotic policy. METHODS: The questionnaire "ABS hospital mature" was developed within the study to analyze the ABS-related maturities in nine member states of the EU. Several fields of antibiotic strategy in hospitals were explored. In Poland the questionnaire was sent to over 100 hospitals and the responses were delivered to the National Medicines Institute (the project representative in Poland) via the internet. MAIN FINDINGS: The hospitals involved represented three referral levels according to services provided. Within the hospital, the questionnaire was filled out by a microbiologist or an infectious disease specialist. Within the examined fields there were no serious differences between the referral levels. Microbial diagnostics obtained the highest score, whereas "antibiotic-related relationships" and "antibiotic-related personnel development" ranked lowest. Maturity in the field of the antibiotic strategy differs among Polish hospitals. The highest score in the general assessment was assigned to hospitals at secondary referral level. Knowledge on issues of antibiotic resistance and microbiological services and procedures obtained the highest score but its implementation was not sufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a need to increase the number of specialists in antibiotic usage and policy, and to improve collaboration within and between hospitals.