Infection Control - October 2016
Sinks added to fight infections can make the problem worse
Some sinks have been linked to the spread of dangerous bacteria
10/31/2016
Copper healthcare facility surfaces can help fight infections
A new study says antimicrobial copper can minimize pathogens in hospital rooms
10/31/2016
Antimicrobial copper touch surfaces may help fight antibiotic resistance
Replacing frequently-touched surfaces with antimicrobial copper equivalents — teamed with good hygiene practices —could help address both the environmental spread of contamination and the rise of antibiotic resistance
10/28/2016
Rural hospitals lead in infection prevention
New research also suggests rural providers are ahead on care coordination
10/28/2016
UV air purification linked to lower sepsis rates
An ultraviolet air sterilizer can reduce infection rates in cardiac surgery patients
10/27/2016
Detroit Medical Center's correction plan for sterilization issues approved
The plan includes using a perioperative improvement council and task force to oversee improvement actions
10/26/2016
New bacteria strain requires effective healthcare facility cleaning
Rigorous cleaning standards can help to prevent spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
10/26/2016
Automating a reprocessing department
Automation can increase efficiency without cutting corners or skipping steps
10/26/2016
HLAC encourages healthcare laundries to be proactive to break the chain of infection
Healthcare laundry providers to build a relationship with their customers' infection preventionists
10/25/2016
Study says UV light cuts C. diff by 25 percent
Treating empty patient rooms can reduce infection rate in high-risk patients
10/20/2016
Specific heater-cooler linked to infections
CDC warning that one type of heater-cooler device could be spreading a serious bacterial infection
10/19/2016
Hospital bed history can create C. diff risk
If the previous patient receives antibiotics, it puts the next occupant at an increased risk
10/18/2016
Detroit Medical Center releases plans to correct infection control problems
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finds numerous issues with sterilization of instruments
10/17/2016
Healthcare infection forum focuses on devices and equipment
More attention urged to the role of medical devices and equipment in infection
10/14/2016
Hospital reopens NICU two months after bacteria discovered
Three babies tested positive for Pseudomonas bacterial infections in August
10/14/2016
Cooling towers may be linked to Legionnaires' outbreak
Minnesota Department of Health increased number of cases to 23
10/13/2016
High C. diff infection rates at teaching hospitals
Consumer Reports says only two teaching hospitals with at least 500 beds earned top prevention scores
10/10/2016
College's research finds copper helps reduce bacteria in hospitals
Researchers at Grinnell College say using a copper mix for all types of metal materials in hospital rooms can cut down on dangerous bacteria
10/10/2016
Detroit healthcare facility to hire consultant to oversee central sterile department improvements
As part of the Detroit Medical Center's deal with the state, it has agreed to hire a specialty consultant
10/7/2016
Ohio Hospital Association honored for infection reduction
Hand-hygiene monitoring by med students increases compliance
10/7/2016
Oxfordshire artists 'angry and disappointed' after wood carvings are rejected by hospital
Carvings failed to meet stringent infection control standards
10/6/2016
Patient at another Washington hospital diagnosed with Legionnaires’
Patient at Overlake Medical Center not linked to University of Washington Medical Center
10/6/2016
Despite contaminated heater-cooler devices, Washington hospital still blames Legionella on ice machine
Five patients in the University of Washington Medical Center's Cascade Tower have contracted Legionella infections and two have died
10/5/2016
Most recent UWMC patient with Legionella believed to have been exposed during an earlier hospitalization
Patient likely exposed prior to the discovery of the Legionella outbreak and before water restrictions and Legionella precautions were implemented
10/5/2016
A European perspective on healthcare laundry infection control (Part Two)
Barrier concept designed to prevent cross-contamination
10/5/2016
Storage bags fight inpatient infection
Storing equipment in breathable polypropylene mesh bags cuts infection rate
10/3/2016