Prevention

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending July 20, 2024.

Complicated and untreatable gonococcal infections due to antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea are outpacing the advancements and development of novel antibiotics and testing technologies.

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.

Taking care of themselves is crucial for infection prevention personnel so they can adequately care for their patients. Here are some suggestions on how to do that.

Check out Infection Control Today's PowerPoint that explains updates to the long-term care enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) requirements from the CMS.

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.

Whether it is a birthday, an anniversary, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers gift ideas for prevention personnel and their families.

Colorado reports that the transmission source has not yet been identified.

Katharine J. Hoffman, MPH, CIC, LSSGB: It’s time to take the devil out of the details in interpreting and successfully following manufacturers' instructions for use; why do manufacturers need to update IFUs?

Beginning a new infection prevention position can be daunting. Check out the latest IP LifeLines article by Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC, on mastering the transition.

The "90’s SwipeSense Club" significantly improved hand hygiene adherence at Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center. By incentivizing adherence through 1990s-themed rewards and using SwipeSense technology to track hygiene practices, the hospital increased adherence rates from 53% in 2021 to 84% by May 2024.

The updated ANSI/AAMI ST24 standard outlines requirements for ethylene oxide sterilizers in health care, addressing advancements, regulatory changes, and new technology to enhance sterilization practices and safety.

Consistent infection prevention (IP) rounding in ambulatory clinics fosters compliance, collaboration, and education, improving infection prevention through relationship-building and just-in-time learning.

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.

June is CMV Awareness Month, and infection preventionists are urged to focus on transmission, symptoms, and prevention of this widespread yet often overlooked viral infection.

TigerConnect's secure text-based platform, led by Will O'Connor, MD, reduces noise, minimizes wait times, and improves patient care through efficient clinical workflow coordination and nurse burnout alleviation.

Michael L. Kaufman, PhD, MSW, discusses his book, which challenges the notion that compassion in helping professions limits career ambition, emphasizing that it's possible to achieve both professional success and societal impact.

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) affect over 680,000 patients annually in the U.S. Unlike manual methods, automated hand hygiene monitoring can significantly improve compliance and reduce HAIs.

Leslie Kollmann, BS, CVT, CIC, speaks with Infection Control Today about veterinary infection prevention at the APIC Conference and Exposition held in San Antonio, Texas, from June 3 to 5, 2024.

Negative perceptions of safety climate among nurses are linked to reduced adherence to standard precautions, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve patient safety culture.

Infection preventionists can now streamline policy management with APIC’s PolicyPro, a subscription-based platform offering customizable, evidence-based IPC policies for health care facilities.

Chaitenya Razdan, CEO and founder of Care+Wear, discusses the development of adaptive clothing for patients with PICC lines and NICU infants, focusing on comfort, dignity, and infection prevention.

A study at the 2024 APIC conference observed MRSA and Pseudomonas contamination in a new children's outpatient pulmonary clinic during construction and after patient use, highlighting significant infection risks.

During delivery, babies can acquire infections if they come into contact with pathogens present in the birth canal or from the mother’s genital tract.

Recent medical advances include RNA vaccine technology, enhanced understanding of immune dysregulation, improved inter-specialty communication, deeper insights into inflammation, and recognition of biological complexity.

Infection prevention during childbirth, via vaginal or cesarean delivery, is crucial for maternal and neonatal health. Strategies include strict hygiene, sterile techniques, and antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce postpartum infection risks.