Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – September 1, 2012
September 1, 2012
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HHS hits pause button — and a few nerves — on injection safety issues in ambulatory care
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) appears to be taking a step back from its recent emphasis on injection safety issues in ambulatory care and surgical settings (ASCs), though noting that some 3,200 inspections done in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 "found that deficient infection control practices are widespread in ASCs," according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). -
CDC expands HCV testing, refers HCW issue to SHEA
Conceding that the effectiveness of risk-based hepatitis C virus testing has plateaued, public health officials are rolling the dashboard dice to capture the grand-daddy of all birth cohorts: Baby Boomers. -
CMS flu shot reporting will allow patients to compare hospital rates
This influenza immunization season may be one of the most challenging for the nation's hospitals as they face a new requirement to track every employee, licensed practitioner, student and volunteer. -
Abstract & Commentary: Does the nose still know when it comes to MRSA?
David MZ, Medvedev S, Hohmann SF, et al. Increasing burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus hospitalizations at US Academic Medical Centers 2003-2008. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33:782-9. -
Cutting ciprofloxacin reduces Pseudomonas
A North Carolina hospital's program to restrict ciprofloxacin use in intensive care units was associated with a significant decreasing trend of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant isolates. -
Pertussis surges, HCW vaccination lags
As the nation faces the largest outbreak of pertussis in 50 years, the rate of vaccination of health care workers languishes at about 20%.