Infection Control - April 2017
UPMC sued again for mold infection issue
Case is the seventh involving patients who died after contracting mold infections at UPMC hospitals
4/28/2017
Biofilm study found high contamination rates on dry hospital surfaces
Researchers collected samples from the hospitals after environmental cleaning procedures were done
4/27/2017
Virginia healthcare facility undergoes deep clean after bacterial infection outbreak
Six patients were infected with extended spectrum beta lactamase-producing Klebsiella
4/27/2017
Legionella risk management in cooling towers for protective care
Hospital buildings have multiple complex water systems, and since many people staying in hospitals already have a suppressed immune system due to illness, it greatly increases their risk for Legionella infection
4/26/2017
Anesthesia machine cover designed for OR infection control
Anesthesia machines may pose risk for exposure to pathogens
4/25/2017
DMC Children’s Hospital passes follow-up investigation
Michigan healthcare facility no longer in danger of losing federal funding
4/24/2017
Finding pest activity in healthcare facilities
Environmental services departments need to be aware when pests are present
4/24/2017
Infection control 'partnerships' spark concern that industry is leading science
Experts say we need to be sure that these practices and products are better and not just creating potential for further resistance
4/24/2017
MRSA outbreak at UC Irvine hospital undisclosed for months
Outbreak sickened 10 critically ill infants over eight months
4/21/2017
DC VA inspection reveals dirty sterile storage
$150 million in unaccounted for items and unavailable supplies was also found
4/20/2017
Site-specific pest management plan recommended
An integrated pest management plan can deal with pest issues before they become problems
4/20/2017
Conducting effective infection control surveillance
Infection preventionists urged to 'pick their battles'
4/18/2017
Robot disinfects ORs in two minutes
Abbreviated cycle time found to be enough for between-case surface cleaning
4/17/2017
Surprise inspection finds improper linen storage at Pittsburgh healthcare facility
Inspection of UPMC Shadyside hospital also revealed ventilation problems
4/17/2017
Md. hospital NICU reopens after investigation of Pseudomonas bacteria
The hospital invested more than $500,000 in a new water-treatment system
4/13/2017
Roaches found (again) in New Orleans care facility
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals previously reported problems
4/13/2017
Study says clean scopes can sit for more than two weeks
Current guidelines say time should be limited to 14 days
4/12/2017
Linen storage issues found at UPMC Shadyside
Surprise inspection uncovered clean and soiled linens were not stored according to standards
4/11/2017
System uses bacteria to purify water
A University of British Columbia-developed system that uses bacteria to turn non-potable water into drinking water
4/11/2017
Hygiene matters on World Health Day and beyond
Good hygiene is a joint effort that depends on hospital administrators and environmental services staff
4/11/2017
Pa. healthcare facility cited for using dirty scope
Crozer-Chester Medical Center allowed an improperly cleaned endoscope to be used in a surgical procedure
4/10/2017
Detroit hospitals submit correction plans after inspection
CMS conducted an unannounced inspection at three Detroit Medical Center hospitals in January
4/10/2017
Hospital installs bacteria-fighting operating room light fixtures
Lights reduce harmful bacteria, including MRSA and C-diff, up to 70% beyond routine disinfection
4/7/2017
Biopesticide could defeat bed bugs' insecticide resistance
New compound is based on Beauveria bassiana, a natural fungus that causes disease in insects
4/6/2017
Day-specific colored bedding used to improve hygiene
Color-coding can help ensure a sanitation plan is followed
4/6/2017
Cutting risk of water-borne infections
The American Society for Healthcare Engineering suggests 10 steps to combat Legionella and other pathogens
4/4/2017
Tips for buying a whole-room disinfection system for an outpatient environment
Whole-room disinfection systems don't replace traditional cleaning methods
4/4/2017