Infection Control News and Research

RSS

Synthetic antibody rapidly prevents Zika infection in mice and non-human primates

A DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody prevents Zika infection in mice and non-human primates, researchers report April 5 in the journal Molecular Therapy.

8 Apr 2019

Government subsidies could be key to reducing healthcare-associated infections

Healthcare-associated infections -- illnesses that people contract while being treated in a hospital or other healthcare facility -- sicken millions of people each year and cost billions of dollars in additional treatment.

4 Apr 2019

Children’s ball pits full of pathogenic microbes

A new study has found that the ball pits used by children in physical therapy clinics may be colonized with various microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic.

25 Mar 2019

Ball pits used in children's physical therapy may contribute to germ transmission

Beware the ball pit. Ball pits used in children's physical therapy - similar to those made popular by restaurants catering to families - may contribute to germ transmission between patients, according to new research published in the American Journal of Infection Control, the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, published by Elsevier.

22 Mar 2019

Appropriate doffing of personal protective equipment may reduce healthcare worker contamination

More than one-third of healthcare workers were contaminated with multi-drug resistant organisms after caring for patients colonized or infected with the bacteria, according to a study published today in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

21 Mar 2019

Antibiotics and PPIs may increase risk of infectious diarrhea in children

Prior antibiotic exposure and use of acid suppressing medications known as proton pump inhibitors may increase the risk for hospitalized children to contract dangerous Clostridioides difficile infections, according to a study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

8 Mar 2019

New protein 'switch' could stop progression of blood-poisoning and increase chances of survival

Scientists at the University of British Columbia have discovered a new protein "switch" that could stop the progression of blood-poisoning, or sepsis, and increase the chances of surviving the life-threatening disease.

26 Feb 2019

A simple change can drastically reduce unnecessary tests for urinary tract infections

Tests to detect urinary tract infections (UTI) often are performed routinely in hospitals, even when patients don't have symptoms.

22 Feb 2019

ICHE’s reviews on surgical infections, unnecessary urine tests, and nurses' role in antibiotic stewardship

Changes to standard urine orders in a computer physician order entry (CPOE) system, resulted in a 45% reduction in unnecessary urine cultures ordered, a change that is expected prevent unnecessary treatment of asymptomatic patients whose bacteria counts are above normal.

22 Feb 2019

Study proposes new approach that cures multidrug-resistant TB in conflict-affected communities

A high proportion of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases can be cured in conflict-affected communities with molecular diagnostics, shorter treatment periods and socioeconomic incentives, according to the results of a large, long-term study in the Democratic Republic of Congo led by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Stellenbosch University in South Africa, in collaboration with the DRC National Tuberculosis Program.

14 Feb 2019

Scientists receive $1.5 million to develop new technology for detecting healthcare-associated infections

Healthcare-associated infections are the fourth leading cause of death in Canada, predicted to move up to second place by 2050.

8 Feb 2019

Measles outbreak sends vaccine demand soaring, even among the hesitant

Demand for measles vaccine has surged in the Washington county where the highly contagious virus is linked to more than 50 confirmed illnesses this year — including among people who had previously shunned the shots.

6 Feb 2019

Sinks next to toilets in hospital may be reservoirs for Klebsiella pneumonia carbapenemase

Sinks situated next to patient toilets in hospital rooms may be reservoirs for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase, increasing the risk of dangerous germ transmission, according to new research published in the American Journal of Infection Control, the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

4 Feb 2019

Researchers harness immune system to reveal new clues to produce HIV vaccine

The immune system is the body's best defense in fighting diseases like HIV and cancer. Now, an international team of researchers is harnessing the immune system to reveal new clues that may help in efforts to produce an HIV vaccine.

4 Feb 2019

Intermedical UK showcases 2nd generation NObreath at ARTP 2019

Intermedical UK will exhibit 2nd generation NObreath at the annual Association for Respiratory Technology & Physiology conference and can be found at Stand 25.

From Bedfont® Scientific Ltd 25 Jan 2019

Bedfont to exhibit new and improved NObreath FeNO monitor at Arab Health 2019

Bedfont, will be exhibiting their wide range of breath analysis medical devices, including the new and improved NObreath FeNO monitor.

From Bedfont® Scientific Ltd 23 Jan 2019

UV disinfection technology eliminates up to 97.7% of pathogens in operating rooms

Using ultraviolet disinfection technology to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections eliminated up to 97.7 percent of pathogens in operating rooms (ORs), according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

18 Jan 2019

Researchers explore home healthcare nurses' knowledge attitudes toward infection control

Home healthcare workers' beliefs about infection prevention influence whether they comply with prevention protocols more than their actual knowledge of how to comply, according to new research published in the American Journal of Infection Control, the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

14 Dec 2018

DNA analysis finds that stethoscopes used in the ICU are teeming with bacteria

Researchers have found that stethoscopes carried by healthcare practitioners in an intensive care (ICU) setting are loaded with a wide range of bacteria.

12 Dec 2018

Improved infection prevention practices could help halt spread of S. aureus in the operating room

Adherence to proven protocols for disinfecting surgeons' hands, patients' skin, and operating room surfaces could help to halt the spread of dangerous Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) pathogens in the operating room and beyond, according to new research published in the American Journal of Infection Control, the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

27 Nov 2018