Infection Control News and Research

RSS

Kids missing measles shots due to coronavirus pandemic

A year ago, the United States saw the highest annual number of measles cases since 1992, with 1,249 cases reported. Of these, 89 percent of the measles patients were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Now, fears of another measles outbreak in the country loom as the coronavirus pandemic indirectly is causing a drop in measles vaccinations.

20 May 2020

V-Sensor and e-Checkup-enabled smartphones help monitor vital signs with medical accuracy

The rapid development and deployment of mobile phone apps during the Coronavirus pandemic by governments desperate to find a way to contain the virus by using mobile device technology for tracking and tracing is a clear indicator that mass adoption of smartphones to improve health outcomes in populations is set to become mainstream.

20 May 2020

As Congress weighs COVID liability protections, states shield health providers

Coronavirus patients and their families who believe a doctor, nurse, hospital or other provider made serious mistakes during their care may face a new hurdle if they try to file medical malpractice lawsuits.

15 May 2020

Genome-based monitoring of multi-resistant pathogen can help improve infection control

S. maltophilia strains occur in several natural and human associated ecosystems. The bacterium was long regarded as relatively unproblematic but is now considered to be one of the most feared hospital pathogens, as it frequently causes infections and is resistant to a number of antibiotics.

15 May 2020

Researchers assess potential impact of COVID-19 on people with psychosis

Researchers at Orygen and La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia have completed a rapid review of contemporary epidemic and pandemic research to assess the potential impact of COVID-19 on people with psychosis.

13 May 2020

As deaths mount, coronavirus testing remains wildly inconsistent in long-term care

Mary Lanham's assisted living complex in Florida tested all residents for COVID-19 — once in March and again in April — even though no one showed symptoms.

12 May 2020

New diagnostic approach has potential to enhance infectious diseases surveillance

A new technique could provide vital information about a community's immunity to infectious diseases including malaria and COVID-19.

11 May 2020

Southwest CEO’s boast about airplanes’ low COVID risk flies by key concerns

During a May 3 appearance on "Face the Nation," Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said that he believed it was safe for Americans to fly during the coronavirus epidemic and that a plane is as safe as any other space.

11 May 2020

New evidence suggests that schools should be kept closed to prevent COVID-19 spread

With most countries at a standstill, the circulating novel coronavirus has changed the way people live. Though some countries are starting to ease lockdown measures, with schools reopening, health experts worry that this may aggravate the situation. Two new studies provide evidence that children spread the coronavirus and transmit it, making them potential carriers of the infection.

7 May 2020

PPE combined with proper training can reduce COVID-19 risk in health care workers

Health care workers carry a significant burden of coronavirus infections worldwide, but a new evidence review by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University shows the rate can be lowered with the use of personal protective equipment combined with proper training in infection control.

6 May 2020

Asymptomatic carriers transmit SARS-CoV-2 with normal breathing

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) first emerged in a seafood market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. Since then, it has spread to 187 countries, infecting more than 3.58 million people. The novel coronavirus spreads rapidly partly due to asymptomatic carriers. Now a new study shows that asymptomatic carriers may transmit the virus by merely breathing.

4 May 2020

COVID-plagued California nursing homes often had problems in past

When Jorge Newbery finally got through to his 95-year-old mother, Jennifer, on a video call April 18, she could barely talk or move and her eyes couldn't focus.

4 May 2020

As COVID-19 lurks, families are locked out of nursing homes. Is it safe inside?

Families are beset by fear and anxiety as COVID-19 makes inroads at nursing homes across the country, threatening the lives of vulnerable older adults.

4 May 2020

AGS publishes policy brief to address COVID-19 concerns in assisted living facilities

In a policy brief published today in its namesake journal, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) offered a roadmap to guide federal, state, and local governments addressing COVID-19 concerns in an important but oft-overlooked arena: Assisted living facilities (ALFs).

29 Apr 2020

Novel disinfection process could extend usage of N95 masks during shortage

Amid shortages of personal protective equipment due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a St. Louis health care system has implemented a process to disinfect disposable N95 respirator masks that allows health care workers to reuse their own mask for up to 20 cycles.

28 Apr 2020

Lifting the lid on coronavirus flatulence

The highly infectious virus is spread via aerosols (droplets of saliva or nasal discharge spread by coughing or sneezing by the infected person with the mouth uncovered). New speculation reveals that it could spread via fecal matter and even via farts or flatulence. Researchers believe that there is some truth to this speculation.

22 Apr 2020

OSHA probing health worker deaths but urges inspectors to spare the penalties

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has in recent weeks launched investigations into deaths of workers at 34 health care employers across the U.S., federal records show, but former agency officials warn that the agency has already signaled it will only cite and fine the most flagrant violators.

22 Apr 2020

Experts share contingency plans to address increased COVID-19 cases in urban areas

In "Mobilization and Preparation of a Large Urban Academic Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic,"- published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society - experts from Philadelphia's Temple University Hospital share their contingency plans for meeting an increased demand for hospitalization, as well as their protocols and training plans to minimize health care staff exposure to COVID-19 and ensure proper active and reserve staffing.

22 Apr 2020

‘It hurts our soul’: Nursing home workers struggle with thankless position

In the months before county health officials ordered the evacuation of COVID-19-plagued Magnolia Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, the facility's employees complained of bounced checks.

21 Apr 2020

Before ‘tidal wave’ of illness, nursing home thought it had COVID-19 contained

More than 20 patients have died. Dozens more are still hospitalized. And residents who had already been sent back to a nursing home in Gallatin, Tennessee, have turned up with new cases of COVID-19.

20 Apr 2020

Infection Control News and Research

Kids missing measles shots due to coronavirus pandemic

V-Sensor and e-Checkup-enabled smartphones help monitor vital signs with medical accuracy

As Congress weighs COVID liability protections, states shield health providers

Genome-based monitoring of multi-resistant pathogen can help improve infection control

Researchers assess potential impact of COVID-19 on people with psychosis

As deaths mount, coronavirus testing remains wildly inconsistent in long-term care

New diagnostic approach has potential to enhance infectious diseases surveillance

Southwest CEO’s boast about airplanes’ low COVID risk flies by key concerns

New evidence suggests that schools should be kept closed to prevent COVID-19 spread

PPE combined with proper training can reduce COVID-19 risk in health care workers

Asymptomatic carriers transmit SARS-CoV-2 with normal breathing

COVID-plagued California nursing homes often had problems in past

As COVID-19 lurks, families are locked out of nursing homes. Is it safe inside?

AGS publishes policy brief to address COVID-19 concerns in assisted living facilities

Novel disinfection process could extend usage of N95 masks during shortage

Lifting the lid on coronavirus flatulence

OSHA probing health worker deaths but urges inspectors to spare the penalties

Experts share contingency plans to address increased COVID-19 cases in urban areas

‘It hurts our soul’: Nursing home workers struggle with thankless position

Before ‘tidal wave’ of illness, nursing home thought it had COVID-19 contained

Industry Focus eBook - Cell biology (5th edition) eBook

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

Latest News