Success in Controlling Outbreaks in an ICU Using CDC Toolkit Interventions
Infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are on the rise globally. On the CDC’s Safe Healthcare Blog, Dr. Kyle Enfield, assistant hospital epidemiologist and medical director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the University of Virginia Health System, describes how his team implemented infection control interventions to assess the prevalence of CRE and extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in the unit. This set of interventions became recommended practice in the CDC’s 2012 Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae Toolkit.
As a result, the CRE incidence came down to 0.1 percent of patient days and drug-resistant A. baumannii was eliminated in the unit. These findings were published in the July 2014 issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
Has your facility implemented the CRE Toolkit? Let the CDC know by posting a comment on the Safe Healthcare Blog.
Revolutionizing Hospital Cleanliness: How Color Additives Transform Infection Prevention
December 9th 2024Discover how a groundbreaking color additive for disinfectant wipes improved hospital cleanliness by 69.2%, reduced microbial presence by nearly half, and enhanced cleaning efficiency—all without disrupting workflows.
Splash Pads and Waterborne Disease Outbreaks: A 25-Year Perspective Introduction
December 5th 2024A CDC report reveals 25 years of splash pad-linked waterborne outbreaks, highlighting risks from pathogens like Cryptosporidium. Prevention requires better hygiene, water treatment, and public health strategies.
Piloting Change Management: Tools for Infection Preventionists to Drive Impactful Change
December 5th 2024Infection preventionists play a vital role in health care, leveraging change management techniques to overcome resistance, unite stakeholders, and implement strategies prioritizing patient safety.
