Infection Control News and Research

RSS

Frail elderly people are at increased risk of death from outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis

Frail elderly people living in residential care facilities are at increased risk of severe illness or death from outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis.

3 Apr 2014

Emergence of community-acquired infections due to ESBL-producing bacteria on the rise

The emergence of community-acquired infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTI), due to strains resistant to common antibiotics are on the rise, according to Rhode Island Hospital researchers. The study is published online in the journal Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control.

26 Mar 2014

Researchers discover novel population of neutrophils that exhibit enhanced microbial killing activity

Case Western Reserve University researchers have discovered a novel population of neutrophils, which are the body's infection control workhorses. These cells have an enhanced microbial killing ability and are thereby better able to control infection.

25 Mar 2014

Preterm babies' guts harbor infectious microbes that can cause late-onset sepsis

Babies born prematurely are surviving in increasing numbers. But many withstand complications of early birth only to suffer late-onset sepsis - life-threatening bloodstream infections that strike after infants reach 72 hours of age.

20 Mar 2014

New research commissioned to create infection control strategy for AMR and antibiotic usage

It is the health system’s nightmare, bubbling just below the surface of our hospitals. Infections are becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics, while secondary infection rates during hospital stays continue to rise.

18 Mar 2014

Inconsistent definition and management of deadly pathogens could contribute to spread of infections

Infection control practices for detecting and treating patients infected with emerging multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) vary significantly between hospitals.

10 Mar 2014

Food safety measures taken by hospital minimize risk to food handlers

A new study found more than 80 percent of raw chicken used in hospitals in food for patients and staff was contaminated with a form of antibiotic resistant bacteria called extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli. While sufficient preparation eliminated the presence of bacteria, poultry meat delivered to hospital kitchens remains a potential point of entry for these dangerous bacteria into the hospital.

10 Mar 2014

S. pneumoniae highly prevalent in urban Indonesians, especially children

Streptococcus pneumoniae is present in the nasopharyngeal mucosa in nearly half of children under the age of 5 years and one in 10 adults living in Java Island, Indonesia, a survey has found.

25 Feb 2014

Improper handling of intravenous saline leads to rare bacteria outbreak

Improper handling of intravenous saline at a West Virginia outpatient oncology clinic was linked with the first reported outbreak of Tsukamurella spp., gram-positive bacteria that rarely cause disease in humans, in a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report was published in the March issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

14 Feb 2014

Researchers examine whether spirituality has role to play in prevention of addictions

Spirituality is a central tenet of 12-step recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Its value, particularly regarding alcohol addiction, has been recognized by many health care practitioners as well.

13 Feb 2014

Research: Clinicians often fail to follow evidence-based polices to prevent infections

While most hospitals have polices in place to prevent health care-associated infections, clinicians often fail to follow evidence-based guidelines established to prevent these infections, according to new research from Columbia University School of Nursing published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

7 Feb 2014

New guideline presents recommendations for endoscopy units in prioritizing safety efforts

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has issued "Guidelines for safety in the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit." The purpose of this new guideline is to present recommendations for endoscopy units in implementing and prioritizing safety efforts and to provide an endoscopy-specific guideline by which to evaluate endoscopy units.

6 Feb 2014

Addressing antibiotic resistance: an interview with Professor Otto Cars, Uppsala University, Sweden

Antibiotic resistance is a consequence of antibiotic use. Bacteria adapt to the threat of antibiotics using mechanisms to overcome the drug. These bacteria, which we call resistant bacteria, then survive.

3 Feb 2014

Researchers identify components of C. diff bacteria that can be used to develop better treatment

Rhode Island Hospital researchers have identified components in Clostridium difficile (C. diff) that may lead to new diagnostic tools, and ultimately more timely and effective treatment for this often fatal infection. C. diff is a spore-forming bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and is responsible for 14,000 deaths annually in the U.S. The study is published online in advance of print in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.

31 Jan 2014

Study: U.S. hospital intensive care units show uneven compliance with infection prevention policies

U.S. hospital intensive care units (ICUs) show uneven compliance with infection prevention policies, according to a study in the February issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

30 Jan 2014

Researchers examine role of white coats and neck ties in transmission of infection

In a move to reduce health care associated infections, certain attire for health care professionals, including the traditional white coat, could become a thing of the past.

27 Jan 2014

Hot water contamination in hospital taps threatens patient safety

New research finds significantly higher levels of infectious pathogens in water from faucet taps with aerators compared to water from deeper in the plumbing system. Contaminated water poses an increased risk for infection in immunocompromised patients.

22 Jan 2014

New guidance recommends prevention of healthcare-associated infections transmitted through HCP attire

New guidance from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America provides recommendations to prevent transmission of healthcare-associated infections through healthcare personnel attire in non-operating room settings.

21 Jan 2014

Kansas State University's research shows promise to fight novel avian H7N9 influenza virus

The novel avian H7N9 influenza virus has caused more than 130 human infections with 43 deaths in China. New research, conducted under the supervision of Kansas State University's Juergen Richt, is showing promise in helping to fight this deadly virus.

17 Jan 2014

New research shows promise in helping combat novel drug-resistant H7N9 influenza virus

16 Jan 2014