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Outbreak Detection, Patient Protection: The Legal Upside of Genomics in Infection PreventionA 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.
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How Air, Hand, and Surface Hygiene Create Healthier SpacesThere 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.
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Mastering Infection Prevention in Hospital Kitchens: A GuideHospital 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.
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Old Meets New School: The Fusion of Generations in Infection PreventionHow 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.
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LTC Facilities Face Unique Infection Control Issues During COVID-19 PandemicIntegrating 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.
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One Step Forward, 2 Back: CDC's Proposals for Infection Control in Health Care FacilitiesIn this opinion article, the authors discuss their concerns about the recent HICPAC/CDC proposals on infectious diseases.
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A Roadmap to Address Risk Factors of Non-Ventilator Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in HospitalsLaunching a hospital-wide program for non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) necessitates a clear structure and toolkit.
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Prevention of Prenatal Infectious DiseaseThe 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.
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Closing the Gap: Maximizing the Potential of UV-C Technology to Reduce Health Care-Associated InfectionsEffective 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.
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Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 While Keeping Kids in School: A Case StudyThe benefits of a systematic, multi-layered approach utilizing various methods to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to keep children in school.
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Bug of the Month: No Vaccine. No Warning. Just MeThe Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens that are clinically important in today's health care facilities.
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Infection Control in Dentistry Before, During, and After COVID-19Those dental practices that come out of the COVID-19 pandemic with an appreciation of and renewed commitment to infection control best practices will maintain the trust of their patients and survive, whereas those that scoff at the costs of doing the right thing will not.
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Our Understanding of Immune Issues Is Evolving: Here Are 5 Reasons WhyThe past 5 years in medicine have seen significant advances in RNA vaccines, understanding immune dysregulation, and improved interspecialty communication, promising better disease eradication and tailored treatments.
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Implementing Point-of-Use Instrument Care to Mitigate Surgical Site Infections in Operating RoomsHow can health care facilities and health providers implement point-of-use (POU) instrument care? Here’s a closer look at the entire process, the principles guiding its implementation, and the potential barriers to implementing point-of-use instrument care.
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Beyond Civil Rights: Black Trailblazers in Medicine and Infection PreventionBlack History Month should celebrate pioneers like Drs William Hinton, Daniel Hale Williams, and Charles Drew, whose medical breakthroughs revolutionized infection prevention, surgery, and blood preservation.
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Is the Rise in RSV Infections Associated With Immune Debt or SARS-CoV-2 Immune Dysfunction?Post-COVID-19 immune dysfunction is supported by epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory evidence. Attributing, with little to no evidence, that masking and lack of exposure is the primary driver of increases in bacterial and viral infections discourages critical interventions needed to stop the spread of disease.
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Lyme Disease Prevention and Antibiotic UsageLyme disease, caused by Borrelia bacteria and transmitted by black-legged ticks, demands vigilant prevention, timely diagnosis, and effective treatment to minimize health and public safety risks.
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The Green Revolution in SPD: From Hidden Cost to Frontline ChangeAs climate change accelerates, health care’s environmental impact faces increased scrutiny, with sterile processing departments (SPDs) emerging as key change agents. Often behind the scenes, SPD professionals can lead sustainability by turning routine practices into ecofriendly protocols that protect both patient and planetary health.
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Ultrasound in Percutaneous Procedures: One Size Does Not Fit All for ReprocessingAccurate device information and proper sterilization or disinfection are crucial to ensure safety during ultrasound procedures.
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Leading with Heart: Kindness in Infection ControlWith stress and burnout from staff shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic, infection prevention auditors need to remember kindness and compassion.
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Antimicrobial Resistance Is the Health Threat We Cannot IgnoreThe report has brought to attention the increasing danger of bacteria that are resistant to modern medicine. This problem has already reached alarming levels in many areas of the world.
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National Nurses' Month: 10 Innovative Ideas for Self-Care From a NurseTo celebrate National Nurses' Month, Maryn Moreni, MSN, RN, CNE, discusses the self-care practices she incorporates into her life and teaches to her students.
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Boundaries Bring Balance: One IP’s Journey to Find and Implement Boundaries in the WorkplaceSetting boundaries becomes crucial as health care workers face rising demands and burnout. Learn practical strategies to protect mental well-being and prevent burnout in the workplace.
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Development of a Novel Influenza A Standard Operating Procedure to Fulfill Public Health Reporting RequirementsRobust infectious disease surveillance, including rapid subtyping of influenza A, is essential for early detection, containment, and public health reporting of novel viral threats.
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Why Water Vapor in Hospitals MattersWhere can we find data on whether or not water vapor is necessary for humans residing in buildings? One great place for such research is the hospital. There is a tremendous amount of data that is collected from one type of hospital building occupant—the patient.
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Far-UVC Is a Public Health Tool We Need NowHealth care-associated infections pose a global threat. In the op-ed, experts advocate for Far-UVC light as a safe, effective tool to reduce airborne pathogens, enhancing infection control in hospitals and public spaces.
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How Cleaning Medical Equipment Directly Affects Patient Safety and Equipment LongevityHospital-associated infections affect over 1 million US patients annually. Proper medical equipment cleaning and sterilization significantly reduce infection risks, improving patient outcomes and safety.
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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Hand Hygiene Monitoring SystemHand hygiene requirements for inpatient health care are numerous and varied. An electronic system to help monitor adherence with some indications benefits the hospital, although it may also introduce some drawbacks.
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FDA Approves Enmetazobactam for Complicated UTIs: A Breakthrough in Antimicrobial TherapyEnmetazobactam (Exblifep; Orchid Pharma) has received FDA approval for treating complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), offering a promising solution in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.
