Infection Control Newsletters

Briefings on Infection Control Medical Environment Update OSHA Watch

Your facility's infection control and prevention initiatives are in the spotlight: Scrutiny from The Joint Commission, CDC guidelines, mounting pressure from state government, and heightened public awareness all paly a role. How will you keep up?

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Briefings on Infection Control

Issue 12, December 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Taking a vertical and horizontal approach to MDRO prevention

  Every healthcare facility has patients who are colonized with an MDRO, whether it's from the...

• Implementing hand hygiene technology and improving compliance in the ED

  Hand hygiene is the simplest way to prevent infections, and in nearly every hospital, someone is...

• Puncture brings needlestick safety to the public eye

  A new movie offers a mainstream medium for needlestick safety, highlighting the legal battle...

• Sterile processing and its current status in the healthcare community

    How has the focus on sterile processing shifted in the last few years? Does there seem...

Issue 11, November 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• AHA adds its voice to call for mandatory flu shots

  Add another voice to the call for mandatory influenza vaccinations for healthcare workers. This...

• Needlestick hazards in nonhospital settings? Better believe it

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain why there is a disparity of safety...

• The ins and outs of healthcare personnel vaccinations

  The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) in Saint Paul, MN, supported in part by the National...

• Patient-to-patient transmissions, new California dental IC regulations, 'Joisey' bedbug law, reacting to flu shot resisters

  Dean Clinic in Madison, WI, notified 2,345 patients that they may have been exposed to bloodborne...

Issue 10, October 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Facility finds new ?takes' on improved hand hygiene success

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Discuss challenges inherent in using...

• Guidelines set gold standard for cleaning surgical suites

  When it comes to how to clean surgical procedure rooms, Joint Commission standards and government...

• CDC checklist puts more focus on infection control in outpatient settings

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain how to use the checklist as part of...

• Hand hygiene videos: The latest in reducing HAIs

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain why staff-produced videos have...

• Hospitals seeing red, as in more bloodborne pathogens violations

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Assess your facility's Bloodborne Pathogens...

Issue 9, September 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• The universal tool: Duct tape reduces infections and saves money

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain how the red box saved time and...

• From bedside to courtroom: The legal implications of infection prevention missteps

    After reading this article, you will be able to: List the two types of IC lawsuits...

• Community involvement and networking with local IPs eases the burden

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain the importance of collaborating...

• Recruiting nurses in the fight against CLABSI

  Even with all the effort IPs put into data collection, surveillance, and education on a daily basis...

Issue 8, August 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Planning for the worst: IC considerations when disaster strikes

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Justify the importance of preplanning for...

• Joint Commission releases new NPSG for CAUTI

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Describe the new requirements for...

• Ozone disinfection systems are effective, but are they practical for hospitals to implement?

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Describe the effectiveness of ozone-based...

• Improving hand hygiene with posters that focus on shock and shame

  Advertising 101 will tell you that sometimes the best way to get someone's attention is to grab it...

• CDC releases minimum guidelines for safe care in outpatient facilities

  After reading this article, you will be able to: List IC best practices covered in the new...

Issue 7, July 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• The latest and not so greatest? Electronic faucets pose a risk for

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain the risks of electronic faucets...

• Assembling your IC committee

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Justify the effectiveness of an IC...

• Preventing a measles outbreak: Reflections from an investigation

  In February 2008, a Swiss traveler infected with measles entered a hospital in Tucson, AZ, and...

• Surveyors continue to focus on sterilization, disinfection of medical equipment

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain why IC.02.02.01 is a top-cited...

Issue 6, June 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• CDC data shows a decrease in CLABSI, releases updated guidelines on prevention

  After reading this article, you will be able to: List updates to the CDC guideline on...

• IC network provides needed resources and decreases infection rates

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain the advantages of an IC network...

• Involving frontline staff in IC improves compliance and builds ownership

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify strategies to involve frontline...

• Isolated cases of CRKP provide a glimpse at an uncommon drug-resistant bug

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain precautions for CRKP infections...

Issue 5, May 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• As pertussis rates rise, so does the need for increased vaccination efforts

  After reading this article, you will be able to:

• OSHA enforcement guidelines offer update on PPE compliance

  After reading this article, you will be able to:

• New MRSA guidelines offer updated prevention strategies

  After reading this article, you will be able to:

Issue 4, April 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Using positive reinforcement to boost compliance, improve hand hygiene

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify appropriate opportunities for hand...

• Handling a recall when it affects IC procedures

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify the process to handle a recall...

• Keystone ICU Project shows a drop in mortality

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify important interventions in the...

• MRSA screening yields long-term cost savings

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain how screening patients for MRSA can...

Issue 3, March 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• A fresh start: Keeping infections out of your new facility

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain the importance of getting involved...

• New treatment guidelines focus on MRSA

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Identify the increase of MRSA infections...

• CDC provides options for environmental cleaning evaluations

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Recall ways to conduct an objective...

Issue 2, February 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Proposed NPSGs focus on additional HAIs

  Remember in August 2010 when The Joint Commission announced there would be no new National Patient...

• Dissecting IC challenges for the upcoming year

    After reading this article, you will be able to: Recognize IC focus areas for 2011...

• Unsafe injection practices remain a concern

  There’s good news when it comes to safe injection practices: The majority of healthcare...

• Making active surveillance easier, cheaper

  After reading this article, you will be able to: List two indicators of MRSA and VRE in...

Issue 1, January 1, 2011 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• APIC award highlights leadership in ASCs

  Ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) across the country have faced considerable backlash over the past...

• What to do when bedbugs invade your facility

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain the appropriate steps to resolve a...

• AORN updates recommendations on surgical attire

  After reading this article, you will be able to: Explain why scrubs should be laundered only...