Infection Control Today Magazine

Surface Disinfection

Researchers Study Approaches to Enhance Environmental Cleaning

Environmental contamination with nosocomial pathogens on the near-patient surfaces and equipment has been associated with its indirect transmission. Thorough, regularly scheduled cleaning and disinfection of the environment is essential to break this transmission. ...More
July 7, 2011
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene
Scientists Study Disinfection and MRSA Bacterial Load Reduction on Surfaces

In a presentation at the International Conference on Prevention & Infection Control (ICPIC) held in Geneva, Switzerland June 29-July 2, 2011, researchers from Brazil reported on a study in which they sought to compare two disinfectants -- peracetic acid (0.1 percent) ...More
July 7, 2011
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene
Environmental Hygiene Case Studies

ICT invited members of industry to submit case studies illustrating practices and products that facilities are using to combat healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). PDI Case Study: Improving Environmental Hygiene in a Pediatric System Through a Multi-Disciplinary Approach ...More
December 30, 2010
Posted in Articles, Disinfection & Sterilization, Environmental Hygiene
Checklist for Healthcare Facility Summer Cleaning

As bed turn rates decline, the summer months give environmental service departments time to recharge and prepare for the next flu season. ...More
July 28, 2010
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene
Study Suggests Link Between Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer

A new study suggests that using household cleaning and pesticide products could contribute to an increased risk of women developing breast cancer, as many of these products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals or mammary gland carcinogens. ...More
July 20, 2010
Posted in News
Enzymatic Detergents and Contamination Control: A Guide for Instrument Reprocessing

Surgical instruments are not only a valuable asset for healthcare providers, but by their nature they are also a primary front from which facilities can fight infection. Proper handling, cleaning and storage of surgical instrumentation are crucial to protecting that ...More
June 22, 2010
Posted in Articles, Disinfection & Sterilization, Environmental Hygiene
Abdominal Wound Infection After Liposuction

The latest issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases reports on a case of Mycobacterium chelonae abdominal wound infection after liposuction performed under local anesthesia at an outpatient medical office.The researchers’ goal was to determine whether other cases of ...More
June 16, 2010
Posted in News, Disinfection & Sterilization, Environmental Hygiene
Study Finds Lapses in Infection Control Practices at ASCs

An assessment of nearly 70 ambulatory surgical centers in three states found that lapses in infection control were common, including for practices such as hand hygiene, injection and medication safety and equipment reprocessing, according to a study in the June 9 issue of ...More
June 10, 2010
Posted in News, Environmental Hygiene, Hand Hygiene
Video Study Finds Risky Food-Safety Behavior More Common Than Thought

How safe is the food we get from restaurants, cafeterias and other food-service providers? A new study from North Carolina State University — the first study to place video cameras in commercial kitchens to see how precisely food handlers followed food-safety ...More
June 8, 2010
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions
ED Computer Keyboards and Bacterial Contamination

Keyboards located in triage and registration areas were found to be more contaminated with bacteria than those in other areas of the emergency department (ED) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, according to a new study conducted by the hospital."Contamination was ...More
June 3, 2010
Posted in News, Hand Hygiene, PPE & Standard Precautions