People preparing for surgery should always have a bath or shower but not be shaved, and antibiotics should only be used to prevent infections before and during surgery, not afterwards, according to new guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) that aim to save lives, cut costs and arrest the spread of superbugs. The "Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection" includes a list of 29 concrete recommendations distilled by 20 of the world’s leading experts from 26 reviews of the latest evidence. The recommendations were also published Nov. 3, 2016 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases and are designed to address the increasing burden of healthcare-associated infections on both patients and healthcare systems globally.
Unraveling a Candida auris Outbreak: Infection Control Challenges in a Burn ICU
March 19th 2025A Candida auris outbreak in a burn intensive care unit (BICU) in Illinois has highlighted the persistent challenges of infection control in high-risk health care settings. Despite rigorous containment efforts, this multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen continued to spread, underscoring the need for enhanced prevention strategies, environmental monitoring, and genomic surveillance.
From Shortages to Security: How Reusable Health Care Textiles Can Transform Infection Prevention
March 7th 2025Reusable health care textiles enhance infection prevention, reduce waste, and strengthen supply chains. Hygienically clean textiles offer a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to disposable PPE, ensuring patient safety and environmental responsibility.