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Infection Control Weekly Monitor

Infection Control Weekly Monitor keeps you up-to-date on what's happening in the world of infection control. Every issue provides useful tips on topics from hand hygiene to improving flu vaccination rates.

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Infection Control Weekly Monitor

Issue 35, September 5, 2008

• Cases of chickenpox reduced after vaccine introduced

  In other  vaccine news, the CDC reports that cases of chickenpox have dropped in communities...

Issue 27, September 26, 2008

• CDC's aim is to vaccinate more kids this flu season

  “I should have got Emily a flu shot,” says a despairing mother in a video just posted...

Issue 14, December 31, 2008

• CDC says flu resistant to antiviral drug

  The CDC alerted healthcare professionals earlier this month that a prevalent strain of influenza is...

• U.S. agency expected to approve malaria drug

  The Food and Drug Administration is expected to soon approve the first malaria drug in the United...

• Tracking MRSA in Virginia

  At least 35 fatal MRSA infections were reported in Virginia in the first year the state began...

• Tip of the week: More states consider mandate of MRSA screening

  At least a dozen states are debating whether to adopt legislation that would mandate some form of...

Issue 13, December 24, 2008

• Happy holidays

  Infection Control Weekly Monitor would like to extend happy holiday wishes to all our readers. We...

• Scientists concerned stowaway mosquitoes may spread malaria

  Global warming is raising the risk for infection with what’s been dubbed “airport...

• Scotland's healthcare workers have new uniforms and dress code

  Soon physicians in Scotland’s hospitals won’t be wearing the traditional white coat...

• Tip of the week: Think about supplies when planning for pandemic influenza

  When it comes to emergency preparedness, ICPs may want to rethink the amount of supplies of...

Issue 12, December 17, 2008

• Budget cuts threaten emergency preparedness programs

  A new report says budget cuts are threatening the country’s progress in safety and emergency...

• Advisory group recommends smokers get pneumonia vaccination

  Smokers, along with children and the elderly, should receive a pneumonia vaccination, according to...

• European hospitals also fight HAIs

  U.S. hospitals are not alone in their battle to prevent healthcare-acquired conditions.

• Tip of the week: Pay attention to sink design and placement

  The design and placement of handwashing sinks in the rooms of transplant patients at Toronto...

Issue 11, December 10, 2008

• Alaska hospital issues ultimatum: Get a flu shot or get out

  An Alaskan hospital has told all of its employees to get an influenza vaccination by December 31 or...

• Experimental vaccine could protect against malaria

  An experimental malaria vaccine is the most promising yet and was able to reduce the rate of...

• Half-dose flu shots effective in adults

  A new study shows that half-dose influenza vaccinations are effective in adults and may prove an...

• Tip of the week: More on skyrocketing MRSA rates

  Hospitals in Washington state, like much of the country, are finding MRSA rates growing at an...

Issue 10, December 3, 2008

• Hospital infection lawsuits on the rise

  Medical malpractice lawsuits filed over infections acquired by patients in hospitals are increasing...

• Can oil in oregano fight MRSA?

  A natural oil found in oregano could help fight MRSA, according to early research by scientists.

• Agencies to hold session on hospital-acquired conditions

  Want to learn more about what’s ahead when it comes to the Centers for Medicare &...

• Tip of the week: Take advantage of Healthcare Worker Vaccination Day

  December 8–14 is "National Influenza Vaccination Week," and the CDC will focus on...

Issue 9, November 26, 2008

• Many hospitals ignore CDC recommendation on HIV testing

  Two years ago, the CDC recommended routine HIV testing for everyone ages 13 to 64, whether or not...

• Boston attempts to track flu vaccinations

  Beginning last week, Boston became one of the first cities in the country to implement a system...

• Hospitals should take IC into account in design and construction

  Hospital design characteristics can improve patient safety and healthcare outcomes, and provide a...

• Tip of the week: Working in healthcare can be risky business

  If you needed further evidence of the importance of healthcare workers protecting themselves...

Issue 8, November 19, 2008

• CDC releases new disinfection and sterilization guideline

  ICPs will want to take a look at the CDC’s newly released guideline containing...

• Google tracks flu trends

  What’s the first thing people do when they feel the flu coming on?

• Government agencies should improve response to TB incidents

  The government needs to strengthen its ability to respond to incidents involving people with...

• Tip of the week: Create an IC business case and help save your sanity

  Most ICPs are swamped these days, juggling a host of new regulatory requirements. However, if you...

Issue 7, November 12, 2008

• C. diff infections more common than thought, study shows

  C. diff is sickening many more patients than previously estimated, according to a new study...

• GAO study says country needs to prepare for large-scale health emergencies

  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has compiled a list of top 13 “urgent...

• Bioterrorism needs to be a priority for the Obama administration

  Developing measures to prevent and respond to a bioterrorist arrack should be a priority for...

• Tip of the week: When something doesn't sound right

  The smaller they get, the easier they are to carry around, and now iPods are making their way into...

Issue 6, November 5, 2008

• Study links age of blood in transfusions to infection risk

  Patients receiving transfusions of blood stored for 29 days or longer are twice as likely to...

• Cold germs lurk on home surfaces and kids' toys

  It will come as no surprise to most ICPs, but a new study shows that cold sufferers often leave...

• Army scientists developing vaccine to prevent dengue fever

  While dengue fever is seldom seen in the United States or Europe, it is the focus of the United...

• Tip of the week: New blog deals with OSHA compliance for healthcare facilities

  If you want to learn more about OSHA compliance, check out the new blog OSHA Healthcare Advisor.

Issue 5, October 29, 2008

• Infectious diseases the #2 killer worldwide

  Infectious diseases are the second most dangerous killer, leading to 16.2 percent of worldwide...

• Outbreak of headlines on sports pages

  Professional football fans may have wondered in the last week or so whether they were reading the...

• Drugs in the pipeline may fight MRSA

  As physicians and other healthcare professionals clamor for drugs that can fight MRSA, two...

• Tip of the week: Flu shot drive-though proves successful

  Although it may sound unconventional, health officials in San Joaquin County, California are taking...

Issue 4, October 22, 2008

• APIC marks International Infection Prevention Week

  Infection control experts will gather today in Washington, DC as part of International Infection...

• Checklist outlines legal issues of pandemic flu planning

  There’s an extensive list of legal issues to consider when developing a pandemic flu plan...

• C. diff occurring without antibiotic use

  A new Canadian study has provided more evidence that infection with community-acquired C. diff is...

• Tip of the week: Methods to increase employee flu shot rates

  Hospitals have used various methods to increase participation by healthcare workers in their annual...

Issue 3, October 15, 2008

• APIC steps up efforts to ensure healthcare workers receive flu shots

  In a push to increase influenza immunization among healthcare workers, APIC has released new...

• New York State shut down dialysis center

  The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has officially forced a New York City dialysis center...

• Tip of the week: Follow these steps to prevent Legionnaires' disease

  Legionella continues to be a persistent adversary for hospitals, as one facility in New Jersey has...

• New compendium focuses on strategies to prevent six common HAIs

  Infection control professionals will want to review a new compendium that for the first time...

Issue 2, October 8, 2008

• GAO report says 23 states now require public reporting of HAIs

  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has turned its spotlight on hospitals’ efforts to...

• GAO looks at HAIs associated with medical devices

  In another report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) looked at healthcare-associated...

• Drug companies agree cold medicines not for children under 4

  As cold and flu season approaches, drug companies that manufacturer pediatric cough and cold...

• Tip of the week: Check out Medicare's flu pandemic policies

  Late last month, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) alerted healthcare...

• Tip of the week: Check out Medicare?s flu pandemic policies

  Late last month, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) alerted healthcare...

Issue 1, October 1, 2008

• Improve infection control efforts: More leadership needed

  More leadership from hospital executives and physicians is needed to help prevent...

• CDC funds pandemic preparedness projects

  Last week, the CDC wrote a large check to 29 state and local public health departments to finance...

• Cases of West Nile virus are down

  With the worst of the West Nile virus season likely over, officials from the CDC say this...

• Tip of the week: A way to measure hand hygiene compliance

  The biggest challenge in preventing healthcare-associated infections is measuring compliance with...