Infection Control Today Magazine

Barrier Protection

MicroCool Surgical Gown Meets AAMI Level 4 Requirements

Kimberly-Clark Health Care announces that it has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its MicroCool* Breathable High Performance Surgical Gown as meeting the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Level 4 Standard for ...More
May 16, 2011
Posted in News, PPE & Standard Precautions
Active Surveillance, Barrier Precautions Have Little Effect on Bacterial Spread

A new research study of the effect of a commonly used strategy to reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospital intensive care units (ICU) shows that the strategy had no significant effect. That’s the surprising finding of a multisite study led by Mayo ...More
April 13, 2011
Posted in News, PPE & Standard Precautions
Breaks in Aseptic Technique Require Review of OR Basics

As an infection preventionist, do you know what’s happening in your hospital’s operating rooms (ORs) related to infection prevention and control practices? To get an idea of how well recommended practices are being implemented in the surgical suites across the ...More
February 24, 2010
Posted in Articles, Disinfection & Sterilization, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions
Safety Checklist Continues to Keep Hospital Infections in Check

The state of Michigan, which used a five-step checklist developed at Johns Hopkins to virtually eliminate bloodstream infections in its hospitals' intensive care units, has been able to keep the number of these common, costly and potentially lethal infections near zero ...More
February 4, 2010
Posted in News, Disinfection & Sterilization, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions
Simple Hygienic Measures Can Help Prevent Respiratory Illness

In a new study published this month in the British Medical Journal, researchers sought to review the evidence of effectiveness of physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. The researchers culled data from a number of sources for their ...More
September 25, 2009
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions
Study Shows Barrier Wipe Protects Skin Better During Adhesive Tape Removal

Medline Industries, Inc. today announced the results of a clinical study demonstrating that the company's Sureprep No-sting Alcohol-Free Protective Barrier Wipe provides better security against adhesive-derived skin trauma than solvent-containing formulations. The ...More
June 17, 2009
Posted in News, PPE & Standard Precautions
Published Studies Back Use of Latex Gloves in Swine Flu Kits

Amidst measures being taken to address the swine flu (H1N1 virus) outbreak, Operation USA and other groups are distributing precautionary kits that contain face masks and natural rubber latex gloves, according to the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC). There ...More
May 12, 2009
Posted in News, PPE & Standard Precautions
Disposable Products Enhance Infection Prevention Efforts

Disposable products can facilitate and enhance infection prevention and control efforts in the healthcare setting and reduce the opportunity for cross-contamination. “Intelligent and informed use of disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical ...More
April 29, 2009
Posted in Articles, Disinfection & Sterilization, PPE & Standard Precautions
Precept Medical Products, Inc. Announces Divestiture of Surgical Pack, Drape and OR Gown Business

Precept Medical Products, Inc. today announced the sale of its UltraGard Surgical Pack, Drape, and OR Gown business to Medline Industries, Inc. The sale is the culmination of Precept’s strategy announced in September 2008 to formally separate the company’s ...More
April 28, 2009
Posted in News, PPE & Standard Precautions
How to Evaluate Personal Protective Equipment Products

ICT introduces a new, regular column in which members of industry suggest strategies for the evaluation and purchasing of infection prevention and control products. This month we take a look at personal protective equipment (PPE). Participants are: Pam Werner, RN, BSN, ...More
March 30, 2009
Posted in Articles, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions