The Journal of Critical Care has published in its June 2011 edition the findings of a clinical study on mechanical ventilation titled, "A Polyurethane Cuffed Endotracheal Tube is Associated with Decreased Rates of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia."
The purpose of the study was to determine whether the use of a polyurethane-cuffed endotracheal tube (Microcuff, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, Ga.) would result in a decrease in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rate.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan including Melissa A. Miller, MD, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Jennifer L. Arndt, MS, CIC; Mark A. Konkle, MPA, RRT; Carol E. Chenoweth, MD; Theodore J. Iwashyna, MD, PhD; Kevin R. Flaherty, MD, MS; and Robert C. Hyzy, MD. This study was partially supported by Kimberly-Clark Corporation; see details in the disclosure statement in the study article.
The study is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883944110001632
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
Building Infection Prevention Capacity in the Middle East: A 7-Year Certification Success Story
June 17th 2025Despite rapid development, the Middle East faces a critical shortage of certified infection preventionists. A 7-year regional initiative has significantly boosted infection control capacity, increasing the number of certified professionals and elevating patient safety standards across health care settings.
Streamlined IFU Access Boosts Infection Control and Staff Efficiency
June 17th 2025A hospital-wide quality improvement project has transformed how staff access critical manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), improving infection prevention compliance and saving time through a standardized, user-friendly digital system supported by unit-based training and interdepartmental collaboration.