Category: Infection Control

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.

5 states with highest, lowest colon surgery SSI rates

Nebraska hospitals have the highest rate of colon surgery surgical site infections in the country, while hospitals in Wyoming have the lowest, CDC data shows. 

8 recent infection control study findings

Here are eight studies on infection control that Becker’s has covered since July 12: 

C. diff rates fell during COVID-19, study finds 

The prevalence of Clostridioides difficile infections decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but inpatient mortality and treatment costs went up, a study published Aug. 25 in Open Forum Infectious Diseases found.