News

Nurses and infection preventionists from the U.S. and South Africa will investigate strategies for reducing catheter-associated bloodstream infections in ICUs.

Methodist Healthcare in San Antonio, Texas and the University of Virginia (UVA) Medical Center are linking patient infection status to automated patient flow and bed management software from TeleTracking Technologies, clearly and instantaneously communicating isolation information to all hospital staff.

In an ongoing effort to improve patient safety, the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UT Medical Center) of Knoxville, Tenn., will utilize the Premier healthcare alliances SafetyConnect patient safety program complete with the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON)'s online educational modules.

Westchester Medical Center infectious disease specialists report an increase in the potentially severe tick-borne disease Babesiosis in New York's Lower Hudson Valley over a 10-year period.

"Touchpoints" is a new campaign from Professional Disposables International, Inc. (PDI) that highlights the many ways germs can be transmitted in healthcare settings and is designed to educate caregivers and patients about preventing the spread of infections.

DuPont Sustainable Solutions has released the DVD-based training series, "Infection Control In Long-Term Care: Protect Your Residents, Protect Yourself," a timely training program that addresses the unique challenge of disease-prevention in long-term care facilities.

Deb SBS announces that its InstantFOAM® Alcohol Hand Sanitizer is now EcoLogo certified.

Understanding microbes' mechanisms of infection could help scientists develop new strategies for combating the most damaging diseases of the world's major food crops as well as several human diseases.

After 75 years of absence, dengue fever has returned to certain parts of Florida, and dozens of cases have been reported this year.

The Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) will host a two-day workshop to bring together experts to discuss the scientific data addressing key issues in the science and mechanisms of bacterial resistance as well as the science of antibacterial drug development.

Zimek Technologies announces the formation of the Zimek Global Health Foundation, a 501-C-3 non-profit organization created to focus public awareness of increasing infection rates and bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, according to Jen Grosman, president of the foundation's board of directors.

Catheter Connections, Inc., a manufacturer of innovative vascular access and infection control products, announces that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company 510(k) clearance to market its DualCap product.

Econo-Keys recently introduced the EKW-M, a completely waterproof, wireless mouse designed for the healthcare community.

A recent University of Illinois (U of I) study links the application of disinfectants in recreational pools to previously published adverse health outcomes such as asthma and bladder cancer.

Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. announces that scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) confirmed that testing of two of the company's compounds Onconase (Ranpirnase), and recombinant Amphinase 2 showed positive in vitro results for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.

The prospect of efficiently controlling HIV persistence in infected persons was the topic of a high-level, two-day meeting of researchers gathered in Vienna, Austria on the eve of AIDS 2010, the biennial international conference of HIV researchers, funders, policy-makers and advocates.

Antibiotic treatment during the liver stage of malaria generates strong protective immunity.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announces that its lead product candidate was safe and efficacious against the highly contagious skin infection impetigo in a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial.

A new form of paper made of super-thin sheets of carbon could help fight disease-causing bacteria in applications ranging from antibacterial bandages to food packaging.

Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) announces newly published data showing that the ASP EVOTECH® Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor (ECR) provides an automated approach superior to the manual cleaning required when using traditional AERs.

Scientists have identified the genes necessary for making a highly potent and clinically unexploited antibiotic in the fight against multi-resistant pathogens.

Research on the population of black-legged ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease from host animals to humans, reinforces that it is important to take preventive measures when spending time outdoors.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today reported the third death due to pertussis countywide so far this year. The announcement comes as the California Department of Public Health has expanded its vaccination recommendations amid rising numbers of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, cases throughout the state.

A new vaccine-delivery patch based on hundreds of microscopic needles that dissolve into the skin could allow persons without medical training to painlessly administer vaccines while providing improved immunization against diseases such as influenza

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is continuing to ask members of the infection prevention and control community to comment on occupational exposure to infectious agents in healthcare settings.

In the wake of the discovery that as many as 1,800 veterans may have been exposed to HIV and the hepatitis B virus while receiving dental care at the John A. Cochran Medical Center in St. Louis, an independent panel is now investigating why there were breaches of infection prevention and control practices relating to the disinfection and sterilization of instruments.