Infectious Disease
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Avoid Antibiotics by Reducing Unnecessary Urine Tests
Changing urine culture order test indications during a switch to a computerized physician order entry sharply reduced unnecessary cultures and saved considerable costs in lab expenses, researchers report. Moreover, it spared patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria from treatment more appropriate for a fully diagnosed urinary tract infection. -
Surgical Site Infections and the Patient Microbiome
Evidence is mounting that the vast majority of surgical site infections (SSIs) are caused by microorganisms on patients’ skin and in their nares, meaning intensifying and improving skin prep and nasal decolonization could greatly reduce SSIs. -
IPs Finally Moving the Needle on C. diff
A combination of antibiotic stewardship, infection prevention, and environmental cleaning contributed to a 20% reduction in Clostridioides difficile from 2016 to 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.
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IPs Held the Line When AIDS Epidemic Hit U.S.
Currently president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Karen Hoffmann was a new IP at Detroit Medical Center 38 years ago. She recalls the day in 1981 when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report on the first cases of what eventually would be called AIDS. Hospital Infection Control & Prevention talked to Hoffmann about the IP experience during the epidemic in the following interview.
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A Bold Strategy to End the AIDS Epidemic in the U.S.
While taking an overall national approach, the plan — part of a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies — would target specific geographic areas and at-risk populations. The goals are a 75% reduction in infections in the next five years and a 90% reduction in 10 years. -
Brexanolone Injection (Zulresso)
Brexanolone is indicated for the treatment of postpartum depression.
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Update on Treatments for Vulvovaginal Atrophy
As with many clinical conditions, the spectrum of genitourinary syndrome of menopause requires the clinician to consider the effect on the patient’s quality of life. Although situational lubricants and regular moisturizers effectively pacify many symptoms, local estrogen is a safe, effective, and affordable way to treat the vulvovaginal changes of menopause.
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Imagine: Multidrug-Resistant Acute Gonococcal Infection
What would happen if clinicians lost ceftriaxone as an effective therapy for gonococcal infection?
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Probiotics Do Not Prevent C. difficile Infection in Hospitalized Patients
A retrospective cohort study from a single California hospital revealed the administration of probiotics to patients receiving antibiotics did not reduce the incidence of healthcare facility-onset Clostridioides difficile infection.
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Does Physical Activity Lower the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease?
A systematic review and meta-analysis incorporating more than 500,000 subjects revealed that moderate to vigorous physical activity is associated with a significant reduction in development of Parkinson’s disease; this relationship is most pronounced in men.