News

A recent headline in the May 28, 2013 issue of The New York Times read: HOSPITALS STRUGGLE TO GET WORKERS TO WASH THEIR HANDS. This is news? It is an age-old problem that no one wants to take on directly. It seems that personal responsibility has taken the last seat in the steerage compartment of the ship when it comes to patient safety and doing what it right.

Clinicians and infection preventionists may need to rethink what they currently know about respiratory protection in light of several recent studies indicating that the influenza virus can be carried in smaller particles than previously thought. Additionally, there is debate over airborne transmission and what kind of PPE healthcare workers should don in these situations where exposure is imminent.