Category: Infection Control

Rise in C. auris infections 'really concerning': CDC

There is an emerging threat of Candida auris, a fungus that is becoming more resistant to treatment, the CDC said March 20. 

Clinicians know the value of hand hygiene, but barriers get in the way: study

While the majority of clinicians view hand hygiene as critical to patient safety, environment and other factors can stand in the way of high reliability, according to a new survey-based study led by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital. 

Medical societies update hand hygiene guidelines, add 2 more

Five medical societies collaborated to publish updated hand hygiene recommendations for preventing healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene at acute care facilities, Wolters Kluwer reported March 13.

3 patients test positive for Legionella at Cincinnati hospital

Three patients have tested positive for Legionella at Cincinnati-based Christ Hospital’s main campus, NBC affiliate WLWT5 reported March 11.

CDC: Screen all adults for hepatitis B

The CDC recently updated its recommendations for hepatitis B infection testing, saying all adults should be tested at least once in their lifetime and a wider range should be periodically retested.

Mass General Brigham researchers find new ways to combat C. difficile

Mass General Brigham researchers at two hospitals found the metabolic strategies C. difficile uses to rapidly colonize the gut and identified ways to combat the disease, the Somerville, Mass.-based health system said in a March 9 news release.

Physician contracts mpox in rare skin contact incident

A California physician contracted mpox via skin contact after working with two infected patients, in a rare case of infection without a needle stick.

3 deaths at Brigham and Women's may be linked to bacteria in water purifier: Report

Bacteria from a water purification system may be linked to three deaths at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, according to research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

COVID-19 vaccine side effects linked to better long-term outcomes: Study

Healthcare workers who had symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination had longer and stronger immunity than those who did not, researchers at Farmington, Conn.-based UConn Health, found, according to a March 6 news release.

More hospitals, health systems begin to walk back mask mandates

Ahead of the ending COVID-19 emergency, several hospitals and health systems have begun to walk back their mask rules.