This week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the reduction of bloodstream infections in an outpatient hemodialysis center participating in CDC's Dialysis Bloodstream Infection Prevention Collaborative.
One New Jersey facility participating in the collaborative reduced access-related bloodstream infections and only had one bloodstream infection in the last 12 months. Bloodstream infections are a serious concern for patients undergoing hemodialysis, but are preventable with the implementation of recommended infection prevention strategies.
The CDC collaborative is a partnership of freestanding and hospital-based outpatient dialysis facilities that aims to prevent bloodstream infections in dialysis patients. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/dialysis/collaborative/index.html.
To read about New Jersey's success: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6110a2.htm?s_cid=mm6110a2_e%0d%0a
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.