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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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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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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 Food and Drug Administration is alerting healthcare professionals not to use certain intravenous (IV) bags of metronidazole, ondansetron, and ciprofloxacin because of potential contamination.
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Commentary: There are approximately 16,000 hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) and > 29,000 solid-organ transplants performed in the United States each year.
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Infection control interventions appear to be making a difference against central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), which have declined 18% nationally in a recent data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Faced with a critical federal report on the lack of progress against healthcare associated infections, the nation's leading infection prevention groups find themselves in the thankless position of having to challenge the methodology of the report without appearing to be in denial about HAIs.
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Health care remains in the spotlight of an energized U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration as the agency explores new regulations related to infectious diseases and requirements for injury and illness prevention programs.
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I've been doing this since January 1990 and in many ways it seems like yesterday. When I share this information with others I can't decide if their body language and comments are motivated by shock or they are simply impressed with someone surviving that long. Most days I don't ask for clarification.
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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.
