COVID-19

The CDC HICPAC discussed updates to airborne pathogen guidelines, emphasizing the need for masks in health care. Despite risks, the committee resisted universal masking, highlighting other mitigation strategies

Clostridioides difficile infections burden US healthcare. Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring (EHHMS) systems remind for soap and water. This study evaluates EHHMS effectiveness by comparing C difficile cases in 10 hospitals with CMS data, linking EHHMS use to reduced cases.

Masking, clean air, and vaccinations are essential in combating COVID-19 and preventing long-term impacts, as evidence mounts of long COVID's significant economic, cognitive, and behavioral effects.

A 3-D approach to infection control involves air and surface cleaning, leveraging monitoring, purification, and modeling technologies to reduce respiratory infection risks in health care environments.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending October 27, 2024.

The 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.

New research highlights long COVID’s global impact, cognitive decline, and societal consequences, urging renewed focus on prevention, including vaccination, mask use, and better air quality.

Novavax’s COVID-19-Influenza Combination vaccine faces a clinical hold after a trial participant developed motor neuropathy, pending further investigation by the FDA.

Nurse practitioner (NP) and Physician Assistant (PA)-led practices offer autonomy, flexible schedules, and smaller patient loads, which could help mitigate burnout while reducing pressure on traditional healthcare systems and improving infection prevention.

Isolation rooms are essential for infection control in health care, relying on specialized design, advanced cleaning protocols, and technology to prevent cross-contamination and safeguard patient safety.

Immunocompromised patients face heightened risks during medical visits. To ensure safer health care appointments, prepare by understanding COVID-19 transmission, masking, ventilation, and exposure.

A recent study explores individual, organizational, and environmental factors influencing home care providers' adherence to facial protective equipment (FPE) to improve future pandemic preparedness.

Read today's updates on COVID-19 and Mpox vaccines and a study released today on doubling syphilis detection in the emergency department.

As influenza and COVID-19 circulate in long-term care facilities, prompt testing, isolation precautions, and antiviral treatments are crucial for preventing outbreaks and protecting vulnerable residents.

Discover Tamara Behm's journey in seeking an IP leadership role, her passion for patient safety, and advice for job-seeking professionals in infection prevention, in this discussion with ICT’s IPLifeline.

Read this informative article on mitigating central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in acute care settings, which is crucial for enhancing patient safety.

Pharmacies, with their widespread locations and extended hours, have become vital access points for vaccinations, particularly in underserved communities. They provide convenience, education, and trusted health care services to millions across the US.

The 2024 surge in infectious diseases like mpox, measles, and meningitis demands a paradigm shift in control strategies, emphasizing expanded expertise, improved airborne precautions, and rethinking cost-effectiveness in healthcare to prevent future outbreaks and protect public health.

As infectious diseases resurge in 2024, this article explores how IPs can manage outbreaks, allocate resources, use technology for surveillance, and collaborate with senior leaders to ensure business continuity and patient safety in health care settings.

A recent National Institutes of Health study reveals that routine lab tests are ineffective for diagnosing long COVID, highlighting the urgent need for novel biomarkers to identify and treat the condition accurately.

Infection Control Today® speaks with the 2023 Infection Control Today’s Educator of the Year Award™ winner, Sharon Ward-Fore, MS, MT,(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC

Here are the formal rules for the 2024 Winner of the Infection Control Today’s Educator of the Year Award™.

Communal dining in LTC facilities enhances social interaction and nutrition but requires infection prevention measures to protect residents from risks like gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.

Balancing personal struggles and professional responsibilities during crises requires self-awareness, self-compassion, healthy boundaries, and support networks. Embrace these strategies to navigate and overcome challenges.

The June 3, 2024, House Oversight Committee questioned the efficacy of the six-foot social distancing rule, highlighting its benefits and limitations in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

In a follow-up to Infection Control Today's (ICT's) article on the CDC's Antimicrobial Resistance Threats in the US 2021-2022 release, Michael Craig, MPP, director of CDC's Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit, answers ICT's questions.

The CDC reports today of a 20% increase in antimicrobial-resistant infections during COVID-19, in the years of 2021-2022, highlighting the need for ongoing prevention and updated estimates starting in 2025.

A new model demonstrates optimal testing strategies for reducing disease transmission, highlighting pathogen-specific recommendations and the importance of human behavior in effective diagnosis and isolation.

The CDC and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) discuss the evolving summer COVID-19 season and strategies for prevention.

William Shutze, MD, FACS, discusses how infection prevention impacts vascular health, emphasizing key strategies and the role of vascular surgeons in maintaining vascular well-being.