Hospital Infection Control & Prevention
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SHEA, APIC Update CLABSI Guidelines
Chlorhexidine-containing dressings are now considered an “essential practice” for the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections in patients older than age 2 months, according to a consensus paper by five medical societies and associations.
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CLABSI Collaboration Cuts Infection Rates 70%
Infection preventionists and colleagues from quality and education spearheaded a hospital-wide team and engaged all staff to dramatically reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections by 70%.
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Fungi: Pop Culture Darling a Future Pandemic Threat
Raising public awareness, fungi are having something of a pop culture moment in podcasts, videos, and a popular post-apocalyptic television series.
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Drug-Resistant Candida auris Now in Half of U.S. States
The seemingly inexorable rise and spread of drug-resistant Candida auris continues in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that clinical infections increased 59% in 2020, then nearly doubled in 2021 with a 95% jump.
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Doxycycline Demonstrates Protection Against Sexually Transmitted Infections
Common antibiotic could be a key tool to help stem the rising tide of reported cases.
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Drug Diversion Increasing Risk of Patient Outbreaks
With experts warning drug diversion by healthcare workers has increased during the pandemic, infection preventionists should welcome the news that the medical tech who caused hepatitis C outbreaks in hospitals in eight states remains in a Florida prison.
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Once Eradicated in the United States, Measles Comes Back
Undiagnosed hospital measles introductions are notoriously labor-intensive, making it necessary to track potential exposures to patients and healthcare workers and determine immune status as necessary.
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FDA Panel Greenlights RSV Vaccine for Elderly
With some concerns and caveats that put a strong emphasis on post-marketing surveillance, vaccine advisors for the Food and Drug Administration have greenlit two vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus infections in people aged 60 years and older.
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APIC Opening a Path for New IPs
The president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology usually is not tapped from a small community hospital. But Pat Jackson, RN, BSN, CIC, FAPIC, has no lack of experience nor expertise.
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Gratitude, Kindness, and Joy: The Light Out of the Pandemic
With approximately 80% of counties in the United States reporting “low” COVID-19 transmission levels as this report was filed, the pandemic has slowed to a still point. Infection preventionists reflect on the damage done and the work that remains.