Prevention

Summary: Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending March 18.

The study examined the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on specific types of infections, including MRSA and CDIs.

Ratings, ownership, and prior infection control citations of facilities were not consistent outcome indicators.

Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla, said in nationally televised interview that it is necessary to fend off waning protection.

Multiple studies and reports show that masks in schools are effective, safe, and necessary because COVID-19 is not going away.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending March 11.

Key recommendations in the report include normalizing mask wearing and avoiding the supply chain failures.

A new study supports the conclusion that the “brain fog” reported by many who have recovered from mild COVID-19 infection is real and has an anatomical basis.

A letter has been sent to more than 4500 veterans stating that reusable instruments used in medical procedures may not have been sterilized properly at a Georgia hospital.

Compliance has increased up to 50% on key infection prevention and control practices at a South Carolina health system due to these short emoji-cartoons.

Choosing which device to use may depend on the bacteria prevalent in the laboratory or patient room.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending March 4.

The benefits of a systematic, multi-layered approach utilizing various methods to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to keep children in school.

Developers designed a game to teach infection prevention during COVID-19 to senior nursing students.

The virus may have found yet another stable host in the white-tailed deer population.

Staff shortages, public recognition, and moving out of the medical field are all issues that the sterile processing industry has faced.

Perspectives from a diversity of health care workers improve the care and outcomes of patients.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending February 25.

This vaccine will add another alternative to the current vaccines on the market if approved in US and Europe.

The goal of the review was to examine the efficacy of the World Health Organization’s 6-step handwashing technique and compare its efficacy with other handwashing techniques.

The research found vaccine efficacy in the prevention of visits to urgent treatment centers and emergency rooms fell from 87% at 2 months, to 66% at 4 months, to 31% at ≥ 5 months.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending February 18.

Patients can potentially be at increased risk for infection from damaged hospital mattresses and beds. More diligent and frequent cleaning must be done to keep patients safer.

The postponement will allow for additional time to review new data regarding the emergency use authorization request.

Investigators found that 32% of older adults diagnosed with COVID-19 sought medical attention in the post-acute period.

IPs in the VA system aim their infection prevention sights on most areas of care: acute care, nursing homes, palliative, mental health. They track infections differently. In addition, the VA acts as a testing ground for IP innovations.

Long COVID appears to be worsening the labor shortage in the United States, and the health care industry—which has lost 20% of workers over the pandemic—could be particularly hard hit.

Lisa Waldowski, DNP, RN, CIC, of Kaiser Permanente: “There will always be a role for infection preventionists. I don’t worry about job security, so to speak. There are so many elements within infection prevention and control.”

There’s a long way to go before the industry recovers from the mass worker exodus from health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection prevention especially faces daunting challenges.

A recent literature review and meta-analysis sought to determine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mortality rates. Here's what a team of economists found.