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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 52, December 30, 2009

• Optimal instrument cleaning between patients

  Healthcare workers responsible for instrument disinfection and sterilization are under pressure to...

• Final report reveals details of Vegas hepatitis C outbreak

  Last week the CDC and the Nevada State Health Division Bureau of Licensure released a detailed...

• U.S. hospitals prepare for a new drug-resistant infection

  Acinetobacter might not be as well-known as MRSA, but one study shows a surge of drug-resistant...

• Poll question: Are we over the H1N1 hurdle?

  H1N1 cases have declined significantly over the last few weeks, but the CDC is concerned that...

Issue 51, December 23, 2009

• FDA releases alternatives to STERIS System 1

  In a release on December 3, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned hospitals to find...

• MRSA infections in surgical patients could cost up to $60,000

  A study published in Plus One on December 15 found that surgical patients whose incisions were...

• H1N1 cases dip, report indicates caps remain in preparedness

  The number of states with widespread H1N1 influenza cases dropped to 11, along with a declining...

• Tip of the week: Create your own hand hygiene video for AORN

  If you enjoy the creativity of producing your own training videos, or if you’ve created an...

Issue 50, December 16, 2009

• STERIS releases transcript of FDA call

  Although it’s considered “unofficial,” STERIS released a transcription of the...

• AAAHC releases 2010 revisions

  On Friday the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) released its 2010...

• Patients can affect clinician hand hygiene compliance

  A recent study released by the CDC and Premier healthcare alliance, in collaboration with Catholic...

• GAO says Pandemic Implementation Plan needs work

  A report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that the Homeland...

• Tip of the week: Take our survey for a chance to win a $100 credit

  HCPro is looking for ways to meet your training needs and we need your help! We are looking for...

Issue 49, December 9, 2009

• Practical tips on FDA recommendations for Steris processor

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned enough about a system for disinfecting and...

• Initial H1N1 vaccine safety reports are promising

  For those of you concerned about the safety of the H1N1 flu vaccine, the CDC announced last week...

• WHO addresses treatment for Tamiflu-resistant H1N1

  The World Health Organization (WHO) says oseltamivir (Tamiflu)-resistant pandemic H1N1 cases may...

• Tip of the week: Take our survey for a chance to win a $100 credit

  HCPro is looking for ways to meet your training needs and we need your help! We are looking for...

Issue 48, December 2, 2009

• Health agencies chime in on endoscope reprocessing

  Endoscopy clinics have had a rough past couple of years when it comes to reprocessing procedures...

• Medical students suffer needlestick injuries most often

  Not only are medical students most commonly stuck by needles, many of them fail to report injuries...

• NIOSH blog offers respirator Q&A

  A previously published NIOSH blog post is one of the most informational and authoritative resources...

• H1N1 cases in decline

  Cases of flu-like illnesses have declined in the past four weeks, according to federal health...

• Tip of the week: Use your iPhone to track the flu

  If you have jumped on to the iPhone or iPod bandwagon, you know by now that there is an...

Issue 47, November 25, 2009

• OSHA releases H1N1 enforcement directive

  It’s a document we were all expecting at one point or another, but OSHA has officially...

• Surviving a CMS survey at your ASC

  With new CMS IC regulations for ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), and millions of dollars going to...

• MRSA rates on the rise in outpatients

  Cases of MRSA have risen by 90 percent since 1999, researchers reported in the December issue of...

• AMA to study ethics and science of required flu shots

  Although required flu shots for healthcare workers in New York ultimately fell through because of...

• Tip of the week: Catch up on what you missed at the APIC conference

  If you missed last week’s APIC conference, “Healthcare-associated infections: A...

Issue 46, November 18, 2009

• HHS allocates $9 million for ASC surveys

  Last week Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that...

• Wall Street Journal looks at 10 steps to preventing infections

  Part of a Wall Street Journal Health Care report released late last month includes a breakdown of...

• WHO guidance addresses H1N1 in TB patients

  The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement to healthcare managers regarding TB...

• Google will find you flu shots

  The same online search engine that brought you Google Flu Trends has developed a searchable online...

• Was it really too much hype?

  Last April, OSHA Healthcare Advisor asked whether H1N1 was a lot of hype or a legitimate concern...

Issue 45, November 11, 2009

• IC organizations urge a change in respiratory protection guidelines

  Three leading IC organizations, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the Infectious...

• Infection prevention measurements added to Minnesota quality site

  The Minnesota Hospital Association has added three new infection prevention measurements to its...

• Even athletes have to follow IC protocol

  Even multi-millionaire athletes, and recent World Series champions, aren’t exempt from flu...

• Tip of the week: OSHA site offers H1N1 guidance

  OSHA has released H1N1 guidance for workers and employers, including fact sheets regarding...

Issue 44, November 4, 2009

• Demand for H1N1 shots shuts down flu hotline

  Before flu season came into full effect, many medical facilities established telephone hotlines to...

• N95 protection findings retracted

  A surprising endnote at the annual meeting of the Infection Diseases Society of America (IDSA) came...

• California nurses and hospitals reach agreement on H1N1 protection

  This week two influential healthcare institutions, the California Nurses Association/National...

• Tip of the week: Disinfectant is just as effective as bleach

  This month’s Briefings on Infection Control features an article on environmental cleaning...

Issue 43, October 28, 2009

• New York changes tune on mandatory flu shots

  Almost as quickly as the emergency regulation was created, New York has suspended mandatory...

• AMA releases Web-based flu assessment

  Last week the American Medical Association launched a new online tool for patients and healthcare...

• Tip of the week: Keep Lysol at home

  Although Lysol might be effective in killing 99% of bacteria on your kitchen counter, it’s...

Issue 42, October 21, 2009

• CMS clarifies flash sterilization requirements

  Last week CMS clarified its position on flash sterilization in ambulatory surgery centers...

• Mandatory flu shots temporarily restrained in New York

  Acting State Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. McNamara issued a temporary restraining order on the...

• Hand hygiene fun and games

  With Joint Commission standards focusing intently on increased hand hygiene compliance, many...

• Feds say protect workers with respirators, not masks, for H1N1

  The CDC updated the interim guidance on H1N1 protection for healthcare workers recommending...

• Treat suspected patients with antivirals ASAP

  The CDC released recommendations Sunday advising clinicians to initiate early antiviral treatment...

• Tip of the week: Celebrate International Infection Prevention Week

  APIC, in collaboration with 3M, has proclaimed this week “International Infection Prevention...

Issue 41, October 14, 2009

• Lawsuits filed to stop H1N1 vaccine

  Two separate lawsuits have been filed in relation to H1N1 vaccinations. One, filed on behalf of a...

• Quarantine rules clarified in MA

  Last week the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a law 113-36 that updates emergency...

• Syracuse nursing home cited for IC deficiencies, again

  Three years after being named one of the nation’s worst-performing nursing homes by the New...

• Tip of the week: Go back to basics with flu prevention

  An op-ed article published on October 1 issue on the Journal of the American Medical Association...

Issue 40, October 7, 2009

• H1N1 update from the field

  Some hospitals and outpatient facilities are still struggling to establish proper infection control...

• Study says hospital beds could run low

  A study released by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) shows that if 35% of Americans got sick...

• Florida nurse suspended after reusing IV supplies

  Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL has suspended a nurse for allegedly reusing...

• Joint Commission revises IC standards and ASC surveys

  Last week the Joint Commission released official changes to the 2010 National Patient Safety Goals...

• Tip of the Week: Utilize the CDC's flu algorithm

  The CDC has released an algorithm for adults older than 18 years old with influenza-like illnesses...

Issue 39, September 30, 2009

• H1N1 rap gives winning advice

  Not all H1N1 training needs to be dry or monotonous. In fact, ten individuals have found ways to...

• Triage tents provide H1N1 isolation

  Triage tents have become a popular method for many hospitals to isolate and treat patients...

• Absenteeism a primary concern for businesses

  A pandemic planning conference in Minneapolis hosted by the University of Minnesota Center for...

• Finding a middle ground on N95 respirators

  So much of H1N1 preparation news has focused on how hospitals will cope with the pandemic that it...

• Tip of the week: Develop IC policies for your wound care clinic

  Those of you responsible for IC policies specific to wound care clinics may find it challenging to...

Issue 38, September 23, 2009

• AHA to CDC: Let’s use surgical masks for some; N95s for others for swine flu

  The American Hospital Association (AHA) is lobbying the CDC to change the current guidance on the...

• One H1N1 shot for older children, two for younger

  Early test results of the H1N1 vaccine in children point toward just one vaccination rather than...

• Is hand washing all it's cracked up to be?

  Despite urging from the CDC that consistent hand hygiene is the best way to prevent transmission of...

• Get the flu shot or wear a mask

  While New York has initiated an emergency regulation that requires most healthcare workers in the...

• Tip of the week: Scheduling MRSA patients in the OR

  When it comes to known MRSA patients in the OR, standard precautions and contact precautions are...

Issue 37, September 16, 2009

• Flu shots in New York

  Many of you have been following our posts on OSHA Healthcare Advisor regarding required flu shots...

• One shot for H1N1

  Despite what infectious disease experts expected, you won’t need two separate flu shots for...

• Hepatitis cases tied to NJ doctor's office

  New Jersey state health officials have found 29 positive cases of hepatitis B linked to a New...

• OR staff members treated for staph infections

  Fifteen operating room surgeons and nurses at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC...

• Tip of the week: Utilize pandemic planning resources

  If you subscribe to Briefings on Infection Control, you may have already read the pandemic planning...

Issue 36, September 9, 2009

• Paid sick leave policies discussed at the state level

  Pandemic experts have urged healthcare facilities in particular to establish appropriate paid sick...

• IC market expected to grow

  The infection prevention market is expected to grow 4.8% annually, reaching $23.5 billion in 2013...

• HAIs cost Australia $1 billion a year

  A study out of Queensland University of Technology in Australia estimates that sick or injured...

• Tip of the week: IOM recommends N95 respirators

  The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has issued a report recommending the use of N95 respirators for...

Issue 35, September 2, 2009

• Some hospitals initiate required flu shots

  Shortly after New York State adopted a regulation that requires healthcare workers to get seasonal...

• Nurses voice concern on H1N1 preparation

  A survey conducted by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee...

• MD hospitals linked to track flu virus

  State officials announced last week that all Maryland hospitals will be linked in a computerized...

• Tip of the week: Should I use antimicrobial soap?

  Many facilities weigh the benefits of using antimicrobial soap versus traditional soap in patient...

Issue 34, August 26, 2009

• Lawsuits expected over endoscopy procedures

  In December, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) discovered problems with sterilization...

• H1N1 could infect half of the United States

  A presidential panel estimates H1N1 (swine flu) could infect half of the U.S. population this...

• Some antibiotics could wipe out "good" microbes

  A study published in the June issue of the Journal of Infection and Immunity found that certain...

• Tip of the week: Consult federal H1N1 planning guidelines

  Shot, hand, and home are the keywords of the federal guidelines for employer preparation for the...

• Editor’s choice: Share your OSHA horror story

  Do you have an OSHA “horror” story, maybe a cell phone accidentally dumped into a...

Issue 33, August 19, 2009

• HHS meetings focus on HAI prevention

  In an effort to bring HAI prevention efforts to the forefront of healthcare in the United States...

• IOM weighs evidence on respirators for H1N1 protection

  The debate continues—whether healthcare workers need to wear respirators, most likely N95s...

• Federal officials reduce number of expected H1N1 vaccines

  Last week federal officials cut back their original estimate of H1N1 flu vaccine doses expected in...

• Tip of the week: Improve your vaccine compliance

  Before worrying about H1N1 vaccines, many facilities are concentrating on improving their seasonal...

Issue 32, August 12, 2009

• APIC takes strong stance on safe injection practices

  On July 30, APIC published a position paper promoting safe injection practices as the absolute...

• NY requires flu shot for healthcare workers

  Last week New York State Hospital Review and Planning Council (SHRPC) approved regulation that...

• Are your patients bringing MRSA home?

  Researchers from the Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital in Paris estimate that more than 12% of people...

• Tip of the week: Clean equipment between all patients

  In many outpatient settings it is standard procedure to routinely decontaminate procedure chairs...

Issue 31, August 5, 2009

• CMS awards funds for state surveys

  Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...

• Hand sanitizer seized by U.S. Marshals

  At the request of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Marshals seized all skin sanitizers...

• Legislation focuses on testing and education for hepatitis

  U.S. Representative Michael Honda (D-CA) has introduced new legislation to Congress to address...

• Tip of the week: Respiratory protection from H1N1

  Recently there has been some debate about whether N95 masks are recommended to protect healthcare...

Issue 30, July 29, 2009

• Examining The Joint Commission's position on sterilization

  A recent Joint Commission position statement on sterilization procedures has created a buzz in some...

• Surgery tech indicted by federal grand jury

  Kristen Parker, a former surgery technician at Rose Medical Center in Denver, has been indicted by...

• Tip of the week: Protect your employees from MRSA infections

  A lot of effort goes into protecting patients from MRSA infections, but it’s important to...

• Healthcare safety debated in Vegas

  Last week, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals assembled for a two-day summit with...

Issue 29, July 22, 2009

• Research shows how antibiotics affect C. diff spores

  Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the UK found that antibiotic treatment could...

• The rising role of the infection preventionist

  There’s no question the job of an infection preventionist is becoming increasingly important...

• Vaccine availability could become a concern

  Pandemic preparedness experts have voiced the importance of having an H1N1 vaccine available during...

• Tip of the week: Prepare your outpatient facility with CDC guidelines

  What medical practices experienced this past spring with influenza pandemic may be nothing compared...

Issue 28, July 15, 2009

• Obesity could be a risk factor with swine flu

  CDC researchers have found evidence suggesting people who are obese but otherwise healthy may be at...

• Abortion clinic ordered to cease operations

  After a Las Vegas abortion clinic was ordered to cease operations on July 7, Nevada health...

• State receive funding for seasonal flu preparedness

  HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced on Friday that $350 million in grant money would be...

• Tip of the week: Hand hygiene tools to help with compliance

  The Joint Commission is offering Measuring Hand Hygiene Adherence: Overcoming the Challenges, a...

Issue 27, July 8, 2009

• Multi-state outbreak of E. coli associated with beef

  A number of state health departments, the CDC, and the United States Department of Agriculture's...

• NICUs see an increase in MRSA infections

  A new study published in the July issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal says that MRSA...

• Vegas doctor tied to hepatitis C outbreaks gets license back

  If you’ve been following the aftermath of the February 2008 hepatitis C outbreaks in Las...

• Tip of the week: Prepare for H1N1 management

  The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has released a “National Strategic Plan...

Issue 26, July 1, 2009

• MRSA legislation could require screening

  New legislation recently introduced in Congress could require hospitals to screen patients for MRSA...

• Looking at the influenza flu family tree

  An article published online in the New England Journal of Medicine by scientists at the National...

• Don't let your dog give you MRSA

  A new study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal says that MRSA infections can be...

• Tip of the week: Following CMS guidelines

  It’s been just over a month since CMS initiated its new Conditions for Coverage for...

Issue 25, June 24, 2009

• Healthcare workers and the swine flu

  A report released last week by the CDC in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) indicates...

• E. coli outbreak linked to raw cookie dough

  The FDA issued a warning last week advising consumers not to eat Nestle Toll House refrigerated raw...

• Community-acquired MRSA may affect HAI rates

  Data presented at the 36th International APIC meeting in Fort Lauderdale, FL indicates that cases...

• Tip of the week: AORN cartoon offers IC training

  Sometimes the best training involves training your eyes to recognize IC and safety hazards.

Issue 24, June 17, 2009

• FDA warns against Clarcon skin products

  The FDA has issued a warning to consumers not to use products made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry...

• WHO raises pandemic alert to phase six

  On June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the pandemic alert to phase six indicating...

• WHO raises pandemic alert to phase six

  On June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the pandemic alert to phase six indicating...

• Miami Children's Hospital faces contaminated water

  A state agency is monitoring Miami Children’s Hospital after a county report blamed a deadly...

• Tip of the week: SHEA nixes respirator use for protection from novel and seasonal flu

  Epidemiologists who first advised respirator use for the current flu pandemic now say it is not...

• Take the OSHA Healthcare Advisor survey; win a training video

  We are so pleased with the number of visitors to the OSHA Healthcare Advisor that we want to know...

Issue 23, June 10, 2009

• IC resources cut, survey says

  Hospitals around the country are cutting staff members, resources, and education for infection...

• A breathalyzer for your hands

  New infection control technology developed by University of Florida College of Medicine...

• APIC supports automated surveillance technology

  On June 3, APIC announced its support for the use of automated surveillance technologies in the...

• Tip of the week: 10 lessons learned from swine flu

  A report released by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), the Center for Biosecurity, and the...

Issue 22, June 3, 2009

• Nevada passes new IC laws, rejects others

  Five new infection control measures for outpatient clinics were passed last week by Nevada...

• Survey reveals IC deficiencies in MRI centers

  In July 2008, Peter Rothschild, M.D., released a white paper that detailed a lack infection...

• Oncologists express concern about infections in cancer patients

  On May 27, a survey released by Amgen revealed that 92% of oncologists believe it’s important...

• Can hand sanitizers protect against specific viruses?

  Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a proven method of hand hygiene and infection prevention, but...

Issue 21, May 27, 2009

• CDC guidance for CRKP

  Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae is...

• Swine flu vaccine developments look promising

  Experts at the CDC say that progress has been made toward developing vaccine for influenza A H1N1...

• California adopts aerosol transmissible disease standard

  In light of the recent swine flu outbreaks, California adopted a standard to protect workers from...

• Tip of the Week: Medicare IC conditions are helpful for anyone

  As of May 18, Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) need to comply with the new...

Issue 20, May 20, 2009

• New method could protect against HIV

  After multiple unsuccessful attempts at trying to develop a vaccine that would cause the...

• Hospital pays for MRSA-related death

  A federal jury awarded $1 million to the family of a Vermont woman who died after complications at...

• The great scrubs debate

  An ongoing debate in the infection control community has been whether or not healthcare...

• Tip of the Week: Avoid swine flu parties

  No, you didn’t read that incorrectly. Despite your double-take, this is a legitimate...

Issue 19, May 13, 2009

• Swine flu fears shift to fall

  Although influenza A H1N1 outbreaks continue to spread, totaling 3,009 cases in the United States...

• C. diff infections on the rise

  If you’re on swine flu overload, a recent increase in C. diff infections may help divert your...

• Antibody could prevent hepatitis C virus

  A new antibody, developed by a team of scientists at the Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories (MBL...

• Tip of the Week: Prevent infections in the outpatient setting

  An article published on Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reports that although...

Issue 18, May 6, 2009

• Threat of H1N1 looks mild

  After a couple whirlwind weeks of preparing for a possible outbreak of influenza A (H1N1), swine...

• Washington State passes two IC bills

  In case you’ve been following along with Washington’s state legislation, Tuesday was an...

• South Dakota urology clinic cited for IC deficiencies

  Siouxland Urology Center in Dakota Dunes, SD may have exposed more than 5,000 patients to hepatitis...

• Tip of the week: Make hand hygiene a game

  Although Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, based in Boston, was cited for failure to adhere to...

Issue 17, April 29, 2009

• Swine flu updates

  In a matter of days, what began as a few suspected cases of swine flu in Mexico has elevated to...

• IC deficiencies in California medical center

  The Southwest Healthcare System in Wildomar, CA, could lose Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement in...

• Miami health officials stumped over meningitis

  A rare and virulent strain of meningitis has infected 12 people and killed four in South Florida...

• Tip of the week: Review surgical infection prevention measures

  A report released by Consumers Union says that hospitals have made progress implementing surgical...

Issue 16, April 22, 2009

• Three VA patients test HIV-positive

  You may remember a couple weeks ago we reported on an investigation by the U.S. Department of...

• Facilities not ready for pandemic flu

  A new report compiled by the AFL-CIO and six unions found that the nation’s healthcare...

• Are box fans an infection control violation?

  It’s almost that time of year again to start using air conditioners and fans to cool down...

• Tip of the Week: Ensure hand hygiene compliance

  On April 14, The Joint Commission released a free monograph intended to help healthcare...

Issue 15, April 15, 2009

• Chicago and Boston hospitals face infection scares

  Hundreds of patients were potentially exposed to TB at three Chicago hospitals when a Northwestern...

• State law forces MRSA screening

  A proposed law that forces hospitals in Washington to screen high-risk patients for MRSA, passed...

• FDA clears rapid test for bird flu

  On April 7, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared a rapid test for the detection of...

• Tip of the week: Look for increased food safety efforts

  Incidences of foodborne illnesses caused by contaminants such as Salmonella have remained steady...

Issue 14, April 8, 2009

• Drug-resistant TB could become unmanageable

  Global experts are worried that a form of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) could quickly become a...

• New Jersey doctor blamed for outbreak

  State regulators have temporarily suspended the medical license of Parvez Dara, MD, an oncologist...

• Funding aims to cut catheter infections

  After a study conducted by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s Keystone Center...

• Tip of the week: FDA recalls trays and kits

  The FDA has recalled a number of medical insertion trays because improper packaging sealing may...

Issue 13, April 1, 2009

• More salmonella outbreaks linked to spices

  In the wake of a well-publicized peanut butter recall, another Salmonella outbreak has been...

• Colonoscopies put veterans at risk

  A five-member team from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is investigating a Miami VA...

• Patient or employee?

  Healthcare providers tow a fine line when employees come into their facility as patients. Infection...

• Tip of the Week: Sponges could help with infections

  A new study published in the March 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association...

Issue 12, March 25, 2009

• GAO report calls for continued leadership

  A March 2008 report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) called for more...

• What's new in IC technology?

  From self-cleaning keyboards to automated hand hygiene tracking devices, infection control...

• CDC releases guidance for carbapenem-resistant bugs

  Although MRSA is the most familiar form of antibiotic resistant organisms, a rise in...

• Tip of the Week: Rethink the way you throw away gowns

  A new infection control technique involving the disposal of paper hospital gowns is a simple, but...

Issue 11, March 18, 2009

• Concern for HIV/AIDS rate in D.C.

  The “District of Columbia HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Update 2008” released by health...

• State health investigation reveals IC deficiencies

  More than a year ago, in February 2008, Las Vegas health officials advised roughly 50,000 city...

• Pandemic preparedness receives more money

  President Barack Obama put the final signature on a $410 billion bill last week that will provide...

• Tip of the week: Comply with emergency management standards

  Monitoring resources, such as PPE, is an emergency management hotspot. Many ICPs are involved in...

Issue 10, March 11, 2009

• Another Salmonella outbreak could be from sprouts

  Right on the heels of the Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter, another outbreak, which...

• CDC warns against free antibiotics

  Retailers may have thought they were helping customers by giving away antibiotics for free, but...

• MRIs become a cleaning concern

  Dr. Peter Rothshild, president of Patient Comfort Systems and renowned MRI expert released his...

• Tip of the week: Clean your phones

  Something used dozens of times each day could be contributing to the spread of MRSA. A Turkish...

Issue 9, March 4, 2009

• WHO launches hand hygiene campaign

  The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new hand hygiene program in which hospitals can...

• Flu strain becoming resistant

  A new CDC study reports that virtually all cases of the common influenza strain, H1N1 are resistant...

• MRSA infections on the rise in children

  Although a recent study shows reports that MRSA central line-associated bloodstream infections in...

• Tip of the Week: Keep your dishwasher limited to dishes

  Occasionally, particularly in a physician’s office, staff members will use a dishwasher to...

Issue 8, February 25, 2009

• Study reveals reduction in MRSA infections

  A new study shows that it’s not all bad news when it comes to HAIs. The study, published...

• New advancements in flu vaccine

  A new development of antibodies that could protect against various strains of influenza, including...

• Ten states to participate in infection control study

  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and...

• Tip of the week: Follow safe injection practices

  A new campaign, called "The One and Only Campaign" was unveiled by Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV...

• Tip of the week: Follow safe injection practices

  A new campaign, called "The One and Only Campaign" was unveiled by Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV...

Issue 7, February 18, 2009

• Lawmakers weigh in on MRSA screening debate

  Typically, hospitals have had the option of whether to screen patients for MRSA, but lately more...

• Washington hospitals adopting consistent colors

  Hospitals in Washington state plan to implement procedures for isolation precautions, which uses...

• Who's to blame for an HAI?

  Infection preventionists are feeling pressure from all angles. New CMS policies are cutting...

• Tip: It's not too late to get the flu shot

  Although it’s a little later than usual, February brought with it a spike in cases of the flu...

Issue 6, February 11, 2009

• FDA says peanut products were sold before test results

  A new report from the FDA says Peanut Corp. of America (PCA)—the company tied to the current...

• Drugs block HIV in monkeys

  After numerous studies, AIDS researchers have encountered encouraging results in preventing HIV...

• Florida hospital named in infection control lawsuit

  Last week, OSHA Healthcare Advisor posted news about a report from the Associated Press regarding a...

• Tip of the Week: Inform your visitors

  Wetzel County Hospital in New Martinsville, WV is launching a “Protect Our Patients&rdquo...

Issue 5, February 4, 2009

• Dodging a bullet: Could salmonella become antibiotic resistant?

  The recent salmonella outbreak linked to peanut products, has sickened more than 500 people and...

• CDC puts more money into HIV testing

  Since 2006, the CDC has recommended that all healthcare facilities routinely test Americans ages 13...

• Construction and renovation could mean additional IC responsibilities

  In the healthcare setting, there are a tremendous amount of factors to consider during construction...

• Tip of the Week: Go ahead and use that hand sanitizer

  Maybe you haven’t thought about it, but at least a couple people have wondered whether...

Issue 4, January 28, 2009

• TB patient sentenced to 30 days of isolation

  There are plenty of airborne precautions for staff to follow when a tuberculosis (TB) patient...

• CDC finds TB and substance abuse closely linked in U.S. patients

  A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that about a fifth of...

• Brazilian model dies from rare infection

  The death of a Brazilian model from a drug-resistant infection that rarely strikes young, healthy...

• Tip of the week: Start with a preconstruction risk assessment

  From an IC perspective, the first steps of a construction or renovation project in your hospital is...

Issue 3, January 21, 2009

• Surgical checklist reduces deaths

  A 19-item safety checklist used by surgical teams does what it is intended: reduces complications...

• MRSA causing more head and neck infections in children

  Researchers have found an “alarming” increase in the prevalence of pediatric head and...

• D.C. area hospitals prepared for inauguration surge

  Hospitals in the Washington D.C. area geared up for a surge of patients expected as a result of...

• Tip of the week: Follow safe injection measures

  There’s been a lot in the news over the last few weeks regarding safe injection measures...

Issue 2, January 14, 2009

• Health officials say throw out salmonella-linked peanut butter

  Hospitals and nursing homes are among those institutions being urged to throw out containers of a...

• The CDC will get new leadership

  When he becomes president, Barack Obama will appoint a new head to two of the most important...

• HHS issues action plan to prevent HAIs

  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a plan that establishes a set...

• Tip of the week: Get more sleep to resist colds

  Be sure you are getting enough sleep to protect your health. People who get less than seven hours...

Issue 1, January 7, 2009

• Heads up on Joint Commission news

  This week The Joint Commission changed one of its infection control (IC) standards for 2009...

• New Jersey law on flu vaccinations goes into effect

  New Jersey is the first state in the nation to require flu vaccinations for young school children...

• Need for increased IC measures in ambulatory care settings cited

  Unsafe injection practices were responsible for 33 outbreaks of hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HBC) virus...

• Tip of the week: Double check disinfection machines for endoscopes

  A Las Vegas outpatient surgery center is notifying patients that time settings on machines used to...