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West Nile virus is emerging as a new threat to laboratory workers as its presence grows in the United States. Infection control precautions should be reemphasized in light of two occupational cases of West Nile virus infection in research laboratorians, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes.
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A patient with group A streptococcal respiratory and soft tissue infection was the source of an outbreak involving 24 health care workers.
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Pneumococcal vaccination rates in the United States are reported to be 28% to 47%, well below the desired 90% levels, with the result that many patients are denied effective protection against a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study demonstrates that an ED-based vaccination strategy would protect most patients at risk for pneumococcal bacteremia in an inner-city public hospital, with a best-case scenario showing cost savings.
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Israel reports 4 hospitalized among 18,000 smallpox immunizations; Smallpox Vaccine Alert: Use only three needle sticks for first-time vaccinees; IOM: Set trigger before a vaccine death occurs; How not to run a bioterror immunization campaign
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Deciding that the risk of smallpox vaccine outweighs the current benefit of immunization, an increasing number of hospitals are refusing the governments offer to vaccinate key health care workers. Though public health authorities still are expecting widespread compliance, the move has raised concerns that the nonparticipants will undermine bioterrorism preparedness.
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Confidentiality and testing concerns about HIV-infected health care workers are starting to surface as the government moves ahead with its plan to offer smallpox vaccine to hospital staff. Those with HIV would be at risk of dangerous complications, including potentially fatal progressive vaccinia, if they receive smallpox vaccine.
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A recently approved tuberculosis test can be used to diagnosis latent TB infection in health care workers without generating false positives due to boosting effects of the traditional TB skin test, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to distribute some 10,000 copies of a new training tool designed to assist laboratorians in selecting and using appropriate testing methods to detect antimicrobial-resistant strains of bacteria. The new tool, an interactive CD-ROM-based training course, provides the most extensive compilation of information on antimicrobial-resistance testing available to date.
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Continuing to face withering criticism from diverse corners, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has now drawn the ire of a powerful member of Congress.
