Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – April 1, 2011
April 1, 2011
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CLABSI prevention success pressures hospitals to adopt similar programs
A recently reported dramatic national reduction in central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) puts a harsh light on hospitals that have not adopted a "checklist" protocol and other proven measures to fight infections that are both expensive and deadly. -
Gram negatives elude CLABSI prevention
In compiling national surveillance data on central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made an interesting finding: Reductions in CLABSIs caused by Staphylococcus aureus were more marked than reductions in infections caused by gram-negative rods, such as Candida and Enterococcus. -
CLABSI intervention also whaps VAP
A highly successful team approach to preventing blood stream infections shows similar efficacy against ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), which was sharply reduced in more than 100 participating intensive care units. -
APIC: "Ethical" duty to mandate HCW flu shots
With low rates of influenza immunization among healthcare workers still more the national rule than the occasional exception, the nation's largest infection prevention group has toughened its mandatory policy and closed some opt-out loopholes. -
"Ethical" duty to mandate HCW flu shots
Money talks when it comes to infection prevention, particularly if it's coming out of your purse or wallet. That appears to be the lesson thus far of an infection control policy taken to an unusual extreme. -
HAIs are also 'human' associated infections
Although we cannot move away from rates of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) especially in this age of HAI public reporting and transparency health care professionals might need reminding that people are represented in any HAI data calculated, statistically analyzed or distributed.