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Hospitals have expanded their environmental cleaning programs to respond to the epidemic of Clostridium difficile, but many are unaware whether patient rooms and environmental surfaces are actually being decontaminated, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology reports.
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The unprotected exposure of a respiratory therapist who later developed bacterial meningitis has triggered the first citations under California's new Aerosol Transmissible Disease Standard. Fines of $101,485 including two "willful" violations, the strongest possible penalty were levied against Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, CA.
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In a report that may prove to be the cornerstone of a long-anticipated national surveillance system for healthcare associated infections (HAIs), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported an 18% decline in the national incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).
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In this before-after study in a surgical ICU, addition to the daily physician worksheet of a red box requiring the checking of "yes" or "no" to continued need for central venous and urinary catheters was associated with a significant reduction in the duration of catheterization.
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The presence of cerebral complications of infective endocarditis (IE) can affect diagnostic and treatment decisions. Thus, this group from Paris, France, evaluated whether early cerebral MRI would affect the diagnosis and management of hospitalized patients suspected of having IE.
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Bilateral absence of N20 responses in the setting of therapeutic hypothermia does not preclude neurologic recovery in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest.
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Asymptomatic pulmonary embolism is quite common among patients with deep venous thrombosis. In many instances in these patients, the pulmonary emboli are located within the central pulmonary arteries.
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This randomized, multicenter trial showed no differences in 28-day mortality in patients with shock who received either norepinephrine or dopamine, but did reveal a higher incidence of arrhythmia in the dopamine-treated group.
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Kathy Warye, CEO of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), is something of a quick study. Facing what she recalls as "a steep learning curve" six years ago when she joined APIC as executive director, Warye is now being recognized as one of the top leaders in health care.