Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – February 1, 2009
February 1, 2009
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Ambitious HHS action plan may be a landmark development for hospital infection prevention
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed a sweeping national "Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections" that not only brings its considerable influence to bear on a longstanding problem, but also calls on hospital leadership, infection preventionists, clinicians, and even patients to help solve it. -
HHS action plan 'deputizes'patients
Infection preventionists well know that patients have become increasingly aware of the problem of health care-associated infections (HAIs), becoming prevention activists in their own right and putting increasing pressure on hospitals to address the issue. That pressure is about to increase exponentially. -
A skeleton key to the HHS plan
Emphasizing that 'health care-associated infections are one of the most preventable causes of leading mortality in the U.S," the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed a comprehensive national plan to fight HAIS. A five-point draft strategy was developed by HHS for the plan: -
HHS turning to outpatient, long-term care next
Having cast a cold eye on hospitals, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will next develop plans to improve infection prevention in ambulatory settings and long-term care, Hospital Infection Control & Prevention has learned. -
Israeli HIV+ surgeon cleared to continue work
In a case that recalls the national turmoil during the Florida HIV dental outbreak in the early 1990s, investigators have determined that HIV provider-to-patient infections remain exceedingly rare. -
Needlestick injury rates stuck in limbo
Hospitals are stuck in a holding pattern in their sharps safety programs. Injury rates dropped dramatically after the implementation of safer sharps in 2001, but many facilities have since reached a plateau. -
Julie Gerberding resigns CDC director post
The infection prevention community has lost a high-placed ally, as Julie Gerberding, MD, has stepped down as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of the political changes of the new administration. A new director had not been named as this issue went to press. -
iP Newbe: Damage control: Getting communication right
Most people in health care would agree that damage control is critical to the success of their productivity. -
Wisdom Teachers: Be one, teach one, IP moves to educator
Years ago, we tried to reach Ruth Carrico for a story and she came in from hospital curbside where she was running a drive-through flu shot campaign. The slogan? It wouldnt be the first time you killed a bug with your car.