Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, covers updates on health care associated-infections, masking at schools, and Ebola in Uganda and Dengue in Arizona. Read on for all the details.
Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, discusses this weeks Hot Topics in Infection Prevention.
A rise in COVID-19 cases? Not particularly surprising…this is our third winter with COVID-19, so perhaps we’ll know what to do…better, this time?
Health Care Associated-Infections (HAIs)– Up in 2021
This isn’t surprising either, and for many individuals, this was expected based off personal experience, but it was nice to see the official data shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and last year (2021), the CDC reports through an annual highly that there was a 7% increase in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), a 5% increase in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs); both types of infections were notably in intensive care units (ICUs), but also a 12% increase in VAE with the biggest jump of 16% in non-ICUs.
Thankfully, there was not a significant change to surgical site infections (SSIs), but those were only in the 10 procedures tracked. The CDC did note an 11% increase in abdominal hysterectomy SSIs. Interesting, there was a 14% increase in hospital onset MRSA bacteremia and a 3% decrease in hospital onset Clostridioides difficile.What’s interesting is that if we look at the 2020 Progress Report (comparing 2019 to 2020), there was a 24% increase in CLABSIs, no significant change in CAUTIs, but a 35% increase in ventilator-associated events (VAEs).
What is even more interesting was the 15% increase in hospital onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia and the 11% decrease in hospital onset C difficile. I mention this because it points to improvement in how we are managing HAIs in the face of the pandemic. The capacity to address a serious rise in HAIs in the second year of a pandemic, while rolling out vaccinations and managing novel variants, is a feat that has gotten little recognition. One piece, though, I find interesting is the from an 11% decrease in C difficile cases to 3% in this most recent report. It begs the question if we’ve overcorrected so much with discussions around cleaning and disinfection related to COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic, that it’s rippled into our general behaviors and practices.
Masks – They Work!
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine presenting COVID-19 incidence among staff and students across schools in relation to universal masking. Keeping it short and sweet: When masking requirements were lifted, there was an associated increase in cases. According to the authors, “Before the statewide masking policy was rescinded, trends in the incidence of Covid-19 were similar across school districts. During the 15 weeks after the statewide masking policy was rescinded, the lifting of masking requirements was associated with an additional 44.9 cases per 1000 students and staff (95% confidence interval, 32.6 to 57.1), which corresponded to an estimated 11,901 cases and to 29.4% of the cases in all districts during that time.”
Elevator Updates on Ebola and Dengue!
The Ebola outbreak in Uganda has officially spread to a new region (eastern Uganda) and outside of the central region it had been mostly impacting, bringing the total cases to 135 confirmed and 53 deaths. Arizona has just reported a case of locally-acquired Dengue, which is worrisome for the state in which the virus does not traditionally exist. Mosquito trap surveillance confirmed the presence of the virus through a positive sample as well.
From the Derby to the Decontam Room: Leadership Lessons for Sterile Processing
April 27th 2025Elizabeth (Betty) Casey, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CHL, is the SVP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Surgical Solutions in Overland, Kansas. This SPD leader reframes preparation, unpredictability, and teamwork by comparing surgical services to the Kentucky Derby to reenergize sterile processing professionals and inspire systemic change.
Show, Tell, Teach: Elevating EVS Training Through Cognitive Science and Performance Coaching
April 25th 2025Training EVS workers for hygiene excellence demands more than manuals—it requires active engagement, motor skills coaching, and teach-back techniques to reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.
The Rise of Disposable Products in Health Care Cleaning and Linens
April 25th 2025Health care-associated infections are driving a shift toward disposable microfiber cloths, mop pads, and curtains—offering infection prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in one-time-use solutions.
Phage Therapy’s Future: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance With Precision Viruses
April 24th 2025Bacteriophage therapy presents a promising alternative to antibiotics, especially as antimicrobial resistance continues to increase. Dr. Ran Nir-Paz discusses its potential, challenges, and future applications in this technology.