Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – January 1, 2008

January 1, 2008

• Elderly flu shots: No-brainer or no-gainer? Controversy, conflicting studies dog issue

  Though recent conflicting studies and commentaries have thoroughly confused the issue, the take-home message for infection control professionals which passes muster with all but the most strident critics is that the elderly should be immunized against seasonal influenza. Period.

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• Pandemic, vaccine debate spur ideas to save elders

  Regardless of the current controversy regarding the efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccination in the elderly, it seems a given that seniors will fare much worse should a pandemic strain arise that eludes an immune response in all ages. But under closer scrutiny, that logic does not hold.

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• Time is right to make 'business case' for IC

  All the planets appear to be lining up to make a persuasive "business case" for infection control.

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• MRSA hospitalizations double from 1999 to 2005

  Hospitalizations related to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections more than doubled, from 127,000 to nearly 280,000, between 1999 and 2005, according to a new study.

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• Deaths, severe reactions after treatment for TB

  Alarmed by continuing deaths and severe adverse reactions after treatment for latent tuberculosis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is seeking funding approval for a national surveillance system to track the events.

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• CDC cautions about report of rise in new HIV infections

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is responding to a recent Washington Post report that CDC estimates of new HIV infections in Americans annually may be 50% higher than previously believed.

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