Infection Control Today Magazine - healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), hospital infections, infection prevention and control, healthcare epidemiology, aseptic technique, environmental hygiene, hand hygiene, disinfection and sterilization, outbreak investigation, surveillance

FEATURES

CDC Protocols Cut Dialysis Infections

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released results of its Dialysis Bloodstream Infection Prevention Collaborative showing a 32 ...read more

Antimicrobial Resistance

The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and similar drugs—called antimicrobials—is considered a major public health threat by the Food and Drug ...read more

Clostridium difficile

This report explores the essentials of Clostridium difficile, one of the most problematic pathogens facing healthcare institutions today. It provides ...read more

Clostridium difficile

Infection Control Today reports on the prevalence of Clostridium difficile, including hospitals' efforts to prevent and control this ...read more

Latest Headlines

Gonorrhea Rates Even Out in US

ATLANTA - According to officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infection rates of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea are leveling off in the US. The bacterial infection can be treated antibiotics when detected early. However, if left ...More
March 6, 2002
Posted in News
DNA Mutation May Provide HIV Defense

LOS ANGELES - Researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles report finding a genetic defense mechanism in monkeys that may prevent illness caused by AIDS infection. The natural substance found in the bone marrow of rhesus monkeys is called retrocyclin. The ...More
March 5, 2002
Posted in News
Infection Control Today - 03/2002: Microbe of the Month

Microbe of the Month By Roger P. Freeman, DDS Microbe of the Month By Roger P. Freeman, DDS Dateline: Urban Tora Bori, India, Africa, Asia. Dear ICTees, Alas, if some people have their way, this could be one of my last transmissions. Things are not going well for me. It ...More
March 1, 2002
Posted in Articles, Disinfection & Sterilization
Relaxing in Filth:

Relaxing in Filth:What Your Whirlpool Tub May Be HidingBy Kelli M. DonleyPiped tubs in healthcare centers may be responsible for a myriad of nosocomial infectionsAncient Roman architects were known for their grandiose adaptations of outsiders' ideas. The great bath in ...More
March 1, 2002
Posted in Articles
Objective Decision-Making:

Objective Decision-Making: Using a Surgical Instrument/Mobile Equipment Tracking System By Rose Seavey, RN, MBA, CNOR, ACSP TCH employee Ann Harvey demonstrates scanning an instrument that has come from the sterilizer. A surgical instrument/mobile equipment tracking system ...More
March 1, 2002
Posted in Articles
Infection Control Today - 03/2002: Fighting Resistance

Fighting Resistance By Michelle Gardner During the past, indiscriminate use of antibiotics has given once-susceptible bacteria the chance to develop defenses against antibiotics, thus providing the opportunity for resistant strains to flourish. Reports of ...More
March 1, 2002
Posted in Articles, PPE & Standard Precautions
Infection Control Today - 03/2002: Follow Standard Precautions When Handling Soiled Linens

Follow Standard Precautions When Handling Soiled LinensBy Kelly M. PyrekHow infectious is hospital linen? In the 1970s the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated, "Although soiled linen has been identified as a source of large numbers of pathogenic ...More
March 1, 2002
Posted in Articles, PPE & Standard Precautions
Infection Control Today - 03/2002: Success Story

Teamwork Resolves Wrapping Issues for OR and CS By Mary Olivera, BA, MS It is 7 am and the OR is calling the sterile processing supervisor announcing that there is a hole in the wrapper of the set they need. They are extremely upset and are expecting you to repair the ...More
March 1, 2002
Posted in Articles, Disinfection & Sterilization
Wound Healing:

Wound Healing: Uneventful Process or Complex Medical Problem Requiring Specialized Treatment and Care? By Michelle Gardner Recent advances in wound management involve growth factors of diabetic foot ulcers. Among them is Apligraf by Novartis, a bi-layered living skin ...More
March 1, 2002
Posted in Articles
Infection Control Today - 03/2002: IC Community

Reader Feedback ICPs Speak Out Editor's note: In this issue we introduce a new feature called Reader Feedback, where we pose to readers of Infection Control Today questions on timely topics and solicit your responses for publication. Q: Does your facility prohibit ...More
March 1, 2002
Posted in Articles, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions