Hospitals are making strides in reducing healthcare-associated infections after a major spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from The Leapfrog Group.
Category: Infection Control
CDC panel backs looser guidance on hospital masking
A CDC advisory committee voted Nov. 3 to finalize a draft of infection control guidelines that recommends healthcare workers wear masks during routine care to prevent the spread of common, endemic respiratory infections — a move National Nurses United …
How ChristianaCare cut sepsis deaths to half the national average
As hospitals nationwide grapple to comply with, and push back on a Biden administration rule that aims to crack down on sepsis deaths nationally or face federal funding losses, ChristianaCare in Newark, Del., claims its sepsis mortality rates are alrea…
Nurses call out CDC for voting on mask guidance before weighing public comment
The nation’s largest union of registered nurses is criticizing a CDC committee for planning to vote on updated infection control guidance for healthcare settings without reviewing public comment.
New strategies to reduce catheter infections and hospital costs
Payal Patel, MD, an infectious disease physician at Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health, is the lead researcher behind new recommendations for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections at acute care hospitals worldwide. Employing th…
New vaccine could boost immune system to fight HAIs: Study
A new type of vaccine could stimulate the innate immune system to prevent deaths from hospital-acquired infections caused by a variety of bacteria and fungi, according to a recent study.
Strep cases in hospitals jump as antibiotic supply runs low
Children’s hospitals scattered around the U.S. are reporting a significant increase in strep throat cases amid a monthslong shortage of amoxicillin, NBC News reported Oct. 28.
Handwashing before gloving-up isn't necessary, study finds
Handwashing in clinical settings prior to putting on gloves may not actually be the best policy for infection prevention, a new study has found.
31% of ventilator patients at Maryland facilities were colonized with pathogens
Nearly one-third of patients in Maryland hospitals were colonized with Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida auris, two pathogens that are becoming growing infection-threats in hospital settings.
5 patients identified with C. auris at Kentucky hospital
An outbreak of colonized C. auris was confirmed at Lexington, Ky.-based Albert B. Chandler Hospital, NBC affiliate WLEX reported Oct. 24.
