Infection Control - June 2020
California hospital suspends admission of non-Coronavirus patients after surge of staff cases
The facility has been preparing for this type of surge since the pandemic began
6/30/2020
Cleanroom requirements and classifications for healthcare facilities
Cleanroom facilities provide an essential barrier against the spread of contaminants and disease in the healthcare sector
6/30/2020
Assisted living facilities running low on PPE equipment
Many facilities said they have less than a two-week supply of specific PPE
6/30/2020
California long-term care facilities build booths for visits
Families visit loved ones through Plexiglas during pandemic lockdown
6/26/2020
Infection preventionists are preparing for COVID’s second wave
Part of the process are education and establishing plans
6/26/2020
R.I. hospital using disinfecting units to fight coronavirus
The units use disinfecting solution effective against COVID-19
6/26/2020
A sustained response to COVID-19 depends on key capabilities
Kaiser Permanente put together a checklist to manage a pandemic
6/25/2020
How access control technology is being used in the pandemic
Technology is being used to help eliminate common touch points, isolate infected patients
6/25/2020
Unions say mask decontamination endangers healthcare workers
N95 respirators used by clinical workers are complicated safety devices and are meant to be disposable, according to an expert
6/24/2020
Pittsburgh company repurposing industrial masks to use against Covid-19
Elastomeric masks cost more upfront, but they can be cleaned and reused for years, with the filter replaced monthly
6/24/2020
Outsourcing: Going from 'housekeeping' to 'environmental services'
Professional environmental services make a science of cleaning
6/24/2020
Senior living facilities applying Covid’s infection-control lessons long term
Procedures have come under scrutiny during the pandemic
6/23/2020
Lessons learned in pandemic offer opportunities for change
Telehealth became more common with significant advances in the last 10 weeks
6/19/2020
Cleaning machines may be smart investment for healthcare facilities
It is important that floor-cleaning machines be employed whether or not an imminent threat is already present
6/19/2020
Purdue University startup creates bedside hand-washing system
Project Process created a portable bedside sink
6/18/2020
Pennsylvania orders stricter COVID-19 protections for hospital workers
The measures include staff members in housekeeping services, dietary services and maintenance
6/18/2020
Sanitizing, stockpiling and communication helps keep nursing home stay COVID-free
Some of these steps happened before the U.S. entered its lockdown phase
6/18/2020
Environmental survey shows how HAIs often start
The researchers sampled 179 sites including sink traps, pulse oximeters, and door handles
6/18/2020
Children in care at risk for coronavirus
Many have been locked down since late February facing isolation with strict social-distancing measures
6/17/2020
N.Y. initiative boosts cleaning in longterm care facilities
Daily, discharge cleaning show improvements
6/16/2020
Alabama doctor invents hand-sanitizer-dispensing wristband
The device could be helpful in combating illnesses commonly spread by hand, such as the flu, the common cold and food poisoning
6/16/2020
Healthcare design can help prevent infection spread in restrooms
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for better design in restrooms
6/15/2020
WHO says there’s a second outbreak of Ebola in Congo
Country already battling COVID-19 and measles
6/12/2020
CDC updates COVID guidance for assisted living communities
The update provides recommendations on infection reporting, visitor restrictions and group activities
6/11/2020
North Carolina using drones in Covid-19 response
Novant Health received a temporary waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly the drones
6/10/2020
Georgia student creating COVID-19 protective equipment
The equipment is made using a water-jet machining process
6/9/2020
Nursing home workers face risks during coronavirus
A third of Covid deaths in the U.S. have been in longterm care facilities
6/9/2020
COVID-19 increases importance of hand hygiene
Proper hand hygiene training called the number one way to reduce the spread of illnesses and viruses
6/9/2020
Elastomeric masks may be an alternative N-95s
Elastomeric masks used with a P100 filter provides 99.97 percent respiratory protection
6/8/2020
Strategies for effective healthcare facility management in the time of COVID-19
To support healthcare workers and limit the spread of the virus in care facilities, the impact of identifying critical areas that need support such as HVAC, fire systems, security, and building automation systems is underestimated
6/8/2020
Drones are delivering medical supplies and PPE in North Carolina
It may be the longest-range drone delivery service that’s been approved in the U.S.
6/8/2020
CDC reports pandemic has killed close to 300 U.S. healthcare workers
More than 60,000 workers have been infected
6/5/2020
Iowa manufacturer turns ceiling panels into intubation shields
The acrylic and polycarbonate sheets used were turned into medical equipment
6/5/2020
How nursing homes can bolster infection control
Infection control in skilled nursing facilities has come under scrutiny
6/3/2020
Facilities could be liable if healthcare personnel test positive for coronavirus
If an employee tests positive for coronavirus they contracted while working, or they unknowingly brought the disease to work and infected others, employers can be held liable for a workers’ compensation claim
6/2/2020
How Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is working to keeping facility safe
The hospital is encouraging families not to delay needed care for their children
6/1/2020
Longterm care facilities face challenges battling Covid 19
One of these challenges is the continued struggle to keep PPE in stock
6/1/2020
