Category: Infection Control

States ranked by C. diff rates

New Mexico has the highest rate of Clostridium difficile infections, while Alaska has the lowest, federal data shows.

CDC ties fatal sepsis cases to Fresenius Kabi plant

The CDC has traced a string of sepsis cases that occurred after blood transfusions to contaminated blood platelet collection sets and solutions manufactured by Fresenius Kabi.

Leprosy and armadillos: What to know

An uptick of confirmed leprosy cases in Florida is resparking the debate of the disease’s possible connection to nine-banded armadillos, USA Today reported Oct. 3. 

Montana hospital restricts visitation amid increased virus activity

Helena, Mont.-based St. Peter’s Health is implementing visitor restrictions at Regional Medical Center amid a steady increase of flu, COVID-19 and other common cold virus activity in the community. 

Legionnaires' detected at West Virginia hospital

Legionnaires’ disease-causing bacteria was found in one area of the 303-bed Cabell Huntington (W.Va.) Hospital, NBC affiliate WSAZ reported Sept. 29.

Penn State study: Rapid sepsis test saves more lives at lower cost

A new blood test designed to detect sepsis earlier in at-risk patients demonstrated a survival rate of 95 percent in a study led by Penn State.

NYC Health + Hospitals study shows 'concerning' Klebsiella trends

New research from NYC Health + Hospitals shows concerning changes in the prevalence and epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections.

Admissions, symptoms and origins: 6 COVID-19 updates

COVID-19 hospital admissions and deaths have risen for the eighth consecutive week, according to the CDC’s most recent data tracking these metrics through Sept. 2. 

Healthcare workers urge CDC to reconsider proposed mask guidance

Concern is mounting among healthcare workers over draft CDC infection control guidance that puts surgical masks on par with N95 masks. Nurses and other clinicians are urging the advisory committee to reconsider the proposals to prevent “disastrous” eff…

Patients with hepatitis C should test for hepatitis B protection: Study

Patients with hepatitis C should consider being vaccinated again for hepatitis B, a study found.