Infectious Disease
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CDC Updating Measles Guidelines for HCWs
The CDC is preparing to review its guideline for measles and healthcare workers, as the once-eradicated childhood infection spreads in ongoing outbreaks in the U.S. and Europe.
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High-risk Patients, High-risk Infections
If there is a worst-case scenario in infection control, it likely involves a life-threatening infection spreading in a vulnerable patient population. They don’t get much more vulnerable than babies in a neonatal ICU, or adults undergoing bone marrow transplant. With their frail immune systems compromised, central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) pose a serious threat warranting an immediate infection control response.
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Twin Peaks: A Persistent Norovirus Outbreak
A nasty, easily transmitted bug
that has ruined many a cruise vacation, norovirus can cause chaotic, labor-intensive outbreaks in hospitals. In that regard, an infection preventionists recently described a norovirus outbreak that kept reigniting in different locations in a situation somewhat akin to fighting a forest fire in high wind. -
Resistance to Change? Try Motivational Interviewing
How do you get someone to change behavior when simply telling them to do so is met with resistance — the “righting reaction” as APIC closing plenary speaker Sanjay Saint, MD, terms it. One approach is called “motivational interviewing,” which first demonstrated efficacy in the addiction field, said Saint, director of the University of Michigan Patient Safety Enhancement Program.
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Novel Approaches to Change Behavior and Protect Patients
Much of infection control work — a frustrating portion to many IPs — is trying to change human behavior. One need look no further than the historic struggle with hand hygiene and the various carrots and sticks that have been dangled and cracked in the name of compliance for decades.
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Clinical Briefs
In this section: blood pressure readings for high-risk hypertension patients; Omega-3 fatty acids and diabetic retinopathy; and long-term diabetes control.
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Betrixaban Capsules (Bevyxxa)
Betrixaban is indicated for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients hospitalized for an acute medical illness who are at risk for thromboembolic complications because of moderate or severe restricted mobility and other risk factors for VTE.
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Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation and Cognitive Decline
As the first large randomized, placebo-controlled trial studying the efficacy of a lifestyle intervention with a nutraceutical compound (polyunsaturated fatty acid), the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial is a landmark study.
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B-type Natriuretic Peptide Is Less Useful in Elderly Patients With Dyspnea
Among patients ≥ 80 years of age presenting with acute dyspnea, B-type natriuretic peptide level was not useful for differentiating cardiac vs. respiratory etiologies when added to a model of clinical predictors.
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Advance Care Planning Must Advance Forward
Advance care planning is a continual process of preparing for future medical care in case patients are unable to make his or her own decisions. It includes engaging patients and families to reflect on patients’ personal goals, values, and belief systems, which ultimately translate into informing medical care. This process helps prepare the patient for current and future decisions regarding medical treatment. Data show that Americans have fallen behind on this process.