News

Scientists from the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the University of Montreal have identified vitamin B3 as a potential antifungal treatment.

With a few exceptions, the risk of having contracted the sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) manifests itself at least 20 years after having undergone surgery, according to new research published recently in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

Until adequate oversight of all ambulatory facilities is in place, we will continue to read of bad practices cause patient harm -- whether from poor hand hygiene, improper use of medications and injection equipment, incorrect practices around cleaning, disinfection and sterilization and environmental cleaning.

The Joint Commission says it will examine ways to refine its tracer methodology by integrating patient-care tracers and patient system tracers to thoroughly evaluate selected high risk or problem-prone processes, including cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment, devices and supplies.

The Associated Press is reporting that officials at the Veterans Administration will be launching an investigation into lapses of infection control practices relating to the sterilization of dental instruments at the St. Louis VA Medical Center.

Researchers have highlighted potential problems with the breathing system filters used in anesthesia, including intensive care units, after demonstrating that they don't provide protection from harmful bacteria and yeast when they become wet.