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Give Sterile Processing Team, Profession the Recognition They DeserveSterile Processing Week runs from October 9 through 15. Julie Williamson, of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, explains why appreciation goes a long way with this vital group of hospital professionals.
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Burnout in Infection Prevention: The Silent Crisis We Must ConfrontBurnout among infection preventionists is a growing crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. This personal reflection highlights the emotional toll, systemic challenges, and urgent need for support.
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Study: Single-Bed Rooms Preferred to Control Certain BacteriaNetherlands study details ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae strategy.
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Your Future Telehealth Program Starts NowCOVID-19 helped to speed up adoption of telehealth. When it comes to telehealth platforms, though, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach.
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Tocilizumab Granted FDA Approval for COVID-19 in Hospitalized AdultsFDA approved this intravenous tocilizumab (Actemra) for hospitalized adults with COVID-19.
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Addressing the Misconceptions About Using ISOs for Endoscope RepairThere are many misconceptions about using ISOs for endoscope repair. Perhaps the one with wide-ranging implications is the misconception that using an ISO for service will invalidate the device’s 510K, instructions for use (IFU), or automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) validation.
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The Clinical and Economic Case for Sterile, Disposable Instruments and ImplantsRecent news headlines reported two deaths and 179 exposures from contaminated surgical instruments used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at a university medical center in California.1 Similar infections also occurred in Washington, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
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The Clinical and Economic Case for Sterile, Disposable Instruments and ImplantsRecent news headlines reported two deaths and 179 exposures from contaminated surgical instruments used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at a university medical center in California.1 Similar infections also occurred in Washington, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
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Challenges and Lessons in Building a New Central Sterile Processing DepartmentWhen it comes to the culture of a hospital, nothing is as important as the employees who work for it and aim to provide excellent patient care. When it comes to a hospital's balance sheet, particularly the physical assets, nothing is as important as the actual hospital and other ancillary buildings.
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The Importance of Following Manufacturers’ IFUsHow do we clean an instrument has always been the question of the day in sterile processing departments all over the world; the answer is to come. The sad truth is, in some instances, the cleaning process was derived from someone in leadership making up a rule.
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UVC Disinfection: Proven by ScienceThe BETR-D Study: The first and only randomized clinical trial on UVC Disinfection
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Clinical Advantages of Disposable Microfiber MopsCan the type of microfiber product (disposable vs. re-laundered) make a difference?
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Clinical Advantages of Disposable Microfiber MopsCan the type of microfiber product (disposable vs. re-laundered) make a difference?
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IC in Care Series: Ambulatory CarePolicies relating to newly emerging and highly infectious diseases in outpatient healthcare settings within the context of infection prevention and control are highly variable, according to public health experts, leaving many gaps in patient protection from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). For example, only a minority of outpatient facilities are certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and few are licensed by states or maintain accreditation status. As a result, many of these facilities are opened and operated without being held to minimum safety standards for infection control or other aspects of patient care, potentially putting patients at risk. In an October 2015 document, Outpatient Settings Policy Options for Improving Infection Prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlined four key elements for states and their supporting HAI multidisciplinary advisory groups who are interested in more effective and proactive oversight of out-patient facilities: facility licensing/accreditation requirements; provider-level training, licensing and certification; reporting requirements; and establishment and effective application of investigation authorities.
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Clinical Advantages of Disposable Microfiber MopsCan the type of microfiber product (disposable vs. re-laundered) make a difference?
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EPA Greenlights Lysol Disinfectant Spray to Combat COVID-19The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Lysol Disinfectant Spray to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
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Ultrasound Transducer Disinfection: Better Guidelines/Recommendations NeededWith the CDC, FDA, and Joint Commission all using different guidelines and recommendations for the types of disinfection acceptable for various ultrasound transducers, clinicians should follow manufacturers’ instructions, but a more unified answer is needed.
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Are Your Healthcare Workers Armed With the Right Vaccinations?Alma Jackson, PhD, RN, COHN-S, discusses how to overcome this occupational hazard.
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Hot Topics In IPC for February 5, 2025: Respiratory Virus Season, H5N1, and Public Health PoliticsThis week's Infection Control Today's Hot Topics in IPC covers respiratory virus season, H5N1, and public health politics.
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Calculating Return-to-Work COVID-19 Policies Is a Balancing Act for HospitalsInvestigators concluded that HCPs can safely return to work after 7 days of quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19 on days 5 to 7.
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Infection Prevention Implication for Organ Donation ProgramTransplants are a crucial yet complex part of acute care. They involve various organs and tissues, necessitating robust infection prevention programs and compliance with strict regulatory standards.
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Balancing Freedom and Safety: When Public Health Mandates Are NecessaryPublic health mandates, such as lockdowns, masking, and vaccination, balance liberty and safety, ensuring critical protections during pandemics like COVID-19 while fostering long-term survival through science.
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Lily, NIAID Launch Phase 3 Prevention Trial Centered on Nursing HomesDespite a clear record of violations across the country, amid a culture where sick staff were asked to show up for work, lawmakers in several states have also potentially disincentivized improvement of infection control standards in long-term care facilities by providing legal liability protections ahead of time.
