Category: Infection Control

Indianapolis hospital implements visitor restrictions to prepare for rise in RSV cases

Indianapolis-based Riley Hospital for Children is preparing for a rise in respiratory syncytial virus cases by adjusting visitation policies and expanding its pediatric intensive care unit, WishTV reported Oct. 5.

Hospital floors, employees’ shoes may be ‘underappreciated source’ of MRSA spread: study

Hospital floors and shoes could be an overlooked source for dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other healthcare-associated pathogens, according to a study performed at a VA hospital in Ohio. 

Infection preventionists should still mask in patient care areas, APIC says

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology urges all infection preventionists to maintain mandatory mask requirement policies for all healthcare employees in patient care areas despite the CDC’s recent guidance shift.

CDC drops universal masking guideline for healthcare workers

The CDC dropped its universal masking guideline for healthcare workers after a weeklong slowdown in COVID-19 hospitalizations and nursing home infections nationwide, CBS News reported Sept. 23.

Biosecurity advisers urge tighter oversight of experiments with viruses

Members of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurtiy issued draft recommendations urging the federal government to tighten its policies on experiments involving possibly dangerous viruses and other pathogens, The Washington Post reported Sept…

Ben Taub Hospital detects Legionella in water supply 

Ben Taub Hospital, one of Houston-based Harris Health System’s facilities, detected Legionella bacteria in its water supply, KHOU 11 reported Sept. 14.

Cleveland Clinic reverts to open visitation

Cleveland Clinic on Sept. 13 lifted COVID-19 screenings, set visiting hours and visitor limits across all of its U.S. locations. 

5 states with highest, lowest abdominal surgery SSI rates

New Hampshire hospitals have the highest rate of abdominal surgery surgical site infections in the country, while hospitals in Delaware have the lowest, CDC data shows. 

Mayo Clinic to end routine pre-surgery COVID-19 tests

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic is ending routine COVID-19 tests before surgeries and other procedures beginning Sept. 12 at the Mayo Clinic Health System and Rochester, Minn., campus, KIMT3 reported Sept. 7.

App can detect COVID-19 in someone’s voice, research shows

Researchers have developed a mobile app that uses artificial intelligence to identify people with COVID-19 infections based on the sound of their voices.