When constructing a health care facility of any size, it is crucial to seek the advice and expertise of an infection preventionist. This article provides guidance on how to do so effectively.
Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are not new to the US, but with malaria in Florida and Texas showing up, protecting against getting bit is even more vital.
The ability of any infectious agent to maintain constant transmission enables it to be an ongoing threat to public health. Few pathogens have achieved greater success at ongoing transmission potential than the influenza virus.
Infection preventionists come from many different backgrounds. However, many left the field during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will require creative methods to preserve existing IP staff and educate those entering the field.
This year we have to do more than just rely on the flu vaccine. Avoiding the flu plus COVID-19 catastrophe is contingent on the US widely embracing public health guidance of wearing masks, meticulous hand hygiene and social distancing.
Maintaining proper hand hygiene is crucial in ensuring our safety and that of those around us and is rightly celebrated worldwide.
Here, we will review 3 common sterilization modalities currently in use for N95 respirator decontamination, how they work, and their strengths and limitations.
High-flow oxygen therapy reduced the need for mechanical ventilation and shortened the time to clinical recovery among patients with severe COVID-19, says the study.
Six confirmed cases of malaria in Florida and 1 in Texas have not been linked to international travel.
Without market reform, antimicrobial innovation will collapse. Henry Skinner, PhD, MBE, MJur, CEO of AMR Action Fund, urges global economic action to prevent an antibiotic-free future.
As children get ready to return to school, pediatric health care providers may start seeing more of this condition in their offices. Here is what you should know.
The smallest hospital patients need extra care to be protected from infectious disease. This article series examines the NICU from both a physician and infection preventionist perspective.
We may never know what triggered the global pandemic that has claimed more than 3.8 million lives…. What we do know for certain is that the incredible strength and collaboration of the scientific community have allowed us to regain some semblance of normalcy.
Beating back infection is a numbers game: viruses against antibodies. If the virus changes its armor so the antibodies cannot attach, it develops an advantage. However, it can also produce viruses which are more efficient at attaching to and invading cells, or simply just produce a lot more viruses, overwhelming the system.
As surgical procedures shift increasingly to ambulatory care settings, preventing surgical site infections is more critical than ever to protect patients and reduce avoidable costs.
In the first of this new series, IPC Pros Helping Each Other: When is the right time to unmask in long-term care? One IP explains how she and her facility unmasked and what led to their decision.
As measles cases rise and vaccine misinformation spreads, Infection Control Today spoke with APIC President Dr Carol McLay about restoring trust in immunization.
Here, we will review 3 common sterilization modalities currently in use for N95 respirator decontamination, how they work, and their strengths and limitations.
Despite medical advances, HIV prevention faces roadblocks—low PrEP adoption, stigma, and accessibility issues threaten progress. Experts push for innovative, long-acting solutions to end the epidemic.
Cutting NIH’s budget by 15% threatens U.S. leadership in medical research, weakens public health preparedness, hinders innovation, and undermines economic growth. Investing in science secures America’s future.
Evolving air quality monitoring technologies, like an IAQ Exposure Index, provide real-time data to detect airborne contaminants, enhance infection control, and protect vulnerable healthcare populations from respiratory exposures.
A string of infections following routine knee surgeries in Tennessee has escalated into litigation, raising questions about how—and when—health care facilities should detect outbreaks. As genomic surveillance gains traction in infection prevention, some fear it could increase legal risk. In reality, it may offer hospitals their strongest legal defense.
There are many facets to creating smarter, healthier health care spaces through infection control and prevention, but these tips can help generate a cohesive, adaptable and curative plan.
Hospital kitchens play a critical role in infection prevention, focusing on safe food handling from receiving to serving. Proper vetting of food vendors, temperature control, storage, and hygiene are essential to prevent contamination and ensure patient safety.
How do the veteran and the novice infection preventionists work together in the present climate? What do they think are their strengths and their differences as they combine their knowledge in the health care field? Infection Control Today® asked a veteran and a novice to find out.
Integrating home and community, long-term care facilities are supposed to be a haven for patients and their families. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the patients and the staff safe was a constant battle. An infection preventionist who lived through it discusses the challenges at her facility.
In this opinion article, the authors discuss their concerns about the recent HICPAC/CDC proposals on infectious diseases.
Launching a hospital-wide program for non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) necessitates a clear structure and toolkit.
The journey of pregnancy begins long before conception, with a woman's lifestyle choices profoundly influencing her future child's health. From diet to infection prevention, proactive measures are crucial.
Effective implementation of UV-C disinfection is crucial to reducing HAIs. The Providence Holy Cross Medical Center achieved a 19% reduction in multidrug-resistant HAIs and saved $1.2 million through strategic deployment, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovative management.