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In February, the FDA approved a new monoclonal antibody for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
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A third case of vancomycin-resistant Staphylo-coccus aureus (VRSA) has occurred in the United States, opening up the distinct possibility that the much-feared superbug will continue to emerge. Though little was known about the case as this issue went to press, Hospital Infection Control was able to confirm that it occurred in a patient in New York.
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Underscoring the importance of its new infection control standards for 2005, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has decided to roll out the new requirements on a consultative basis for hospitals being surveyed from July to December of this year.
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The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology recently posted information on its web site to assist infection control professionals (ICPs) in doing a sentinel event analysis. The information includes the highlights in this article.
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there often is a fine line between peak performance and burnout. In the current environment, it is incumbent upon occ-health professionals to learn all they can about identifying that fine line, knowing when it is being approached and, if possible, preventing it from being crossed.
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A formulary switch from levofloxacin to gatifloxacin as the preferred quinolone in a long-term care facility was associated with a significant increase in the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). A case-control study showed that duration of gatifloxacin was independently associated with illness. Switching back to levofloxacin was followed by a decrease in incidence of CDAD to prior levels.
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Receipt of vancomycin antedated isolation of MRSA with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin in 25 patients. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to vancomycin for many of these isolates. There are, in addition, a large number of antibiotics in the pipeline with activity against Gram-positive organisms.
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The following is a summary of selected abstracts on fungal diseases from 3 meetings. The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) met in Chicago September 14-17, 2003. The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) met in San Diego October 9-12, 2003. The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene met in Philadelphia December 3-7, 2003.
