Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – August 1, 2012
August 1, 2012
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CDC, CMS targeting vile practices with vials
In what is getting to be a familiar, tragic refrain, the improper use of single-dose vials recently resulted in patients at pain clinics in Arizona and Delaware acquiring serious bacterial infections that were "completely preventable," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. -
Point of emphasis: CDC on single-dose vials
In light of recurrent outbreaks linked to misuse of single-dose medication vials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is emphasizing that medications labeled as "single dose" or "single use" are to be used for only one patient. -
CDC facts, myths on vials, needle safety
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to overcome some stubborn myths and misperceptions about single-dose vials including the following, which the agency refuted with the current facts. -
CMS survey could boost central services departments
A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services draft infection control survey expected to be finalized for use in hospitals next year could lead to increased support and appreciation for the challenges faced by central services departments, says Rose Seavey, RN, BS, MBA, CNOR, CRCST, CSPDT, President/CEO of Seavey Healthcare Consulting, Inc., in Arvada, CO. -
Hospital program leads to dramatic drop in CAUTIs
Looking for a quality improvement (QI) project targeting catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)? Here's one that produced dramatic results, including a 68% decline in the CAUTI rate and a 20% reduction in the use of indwelling urinary catheters.