Infectious Disease
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Delaying Antibiotics in Patients with Suspected Infection Increases Risk of Septic Shock
A retrospective cohort study found that delaying the first dose of antibiotics in patients suspected of having an infection in the emergency department led to a higher risk of progressing to septic shock and in-hospital mortality. Every hour antibiotics were delayed increased the risk of septic shock by 4%.
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Pregnant, Influenza-Infected, and Hospitalized
Almost one-third of women ages 15-44 years hospitalized with influenza were pregnant and almost 5% required intensive care.
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Modernizing Care of Children with Otitis Media
Otitis media usually resolves spontaneously. Antibiotics should not routinely be administered to children with acute uncomplicated otitis media.
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OSHA Announces COVID Inspections in Hospitals, SNFs
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced a temporary increase in “focused” inspections of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities that treat or handle COVID-19 patients.
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APIC Research Agenda Includes Race and HAIs
With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic exposing widespread inequities and deep-set systemic racism in healthcare, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology is planning research to address some of these critical issues, including one proposal to design a study to determine if patients of color or non-white ethnicity are at greater risk of acquiring healthcare-associated infections.
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Your Brain on COVID: Damage Found in Two New Studies
Dementia and other adverse effects on the brain are occurring in some COVID-19 survivors, an ominous finding for the millions infected — even those with only mild symptoms, according to two new studies.
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Misinformation Continues to Undermine Pandemic Response
Misinformation and outright lies have swept the globe during the last two years, undermining the pandemic response in hospitals and communities. In a recent call to action report, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology warned infection preventionists this phenomenon has been harmful and no doubt will occur during the next pandemic.
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APIC Asks Feds for Infection Prevention Reinforcements
The leading organization for infection preventionists is trying to elevate and solidify their role in healthcare after many were dislodged from traditional duties or otherwise overwhelmed during the pandemic. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology has issued a call to action report, which describes IPs as key players in pandemics and emergency response, as well as the longstanding wall between vulnerable patients and healthcare infections.
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Mind the Gap: A Wary Shift from Pandemic to Endemic
As COVID-19 cases drop dramatically and public health officials relax masking guidelines based on the local situation, there is the temptation to assume the pandemic is over and is entering a broadly defined endemic phase.
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Bebtelovimab Injection
The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for a monoclonal antibody that demonstrated efficacy against the omicron variant of COVID-19.