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Infection prevention and control guidance prioritizes strategies to combat MRSA

New guidelines aim to reduce the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), improve patient safety and prioritize current prevention efforts underway in hospitals. This drug resistant bacterium is a common source of patient morbidity and mortality in U.S. hospitals, causing nearly twice the number of deaths, significantly longer hospital stays and higher hospital costs than other forms of the bacteria.

11 Jun 2014

New device designed to detect foodborne bacteria

A new device designed to sample and detect foodborne bacteria is being trialled by scientists at the University of Southampton.

11 Jun 2014

Disinfection caps, 'scrub-the-hub' regimens reduce bloodstream infections, cut costs

Whether through the use of alcohol-containing caps or basic cleaning of the injection port of the central line, infection preventionists at three hospitals are finding successful ways to stop germs from entering central line catheters and causing bloodstream infections in patients.

6 Jun 2014

Disinfection caps reduce CLABSI events by 68%

Thanks to the simple use of an alcohol-impregnated cap, Loyola University Medical Center achieved a 68 percent decrease in the overall number of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) over a 12-month period.

5 Jun 2014

Loyola achieves 68% decrease in central line-associated bloodstream infections

Loyola University Medical Center achieved a 68 percent decrease in the overall number of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) over a 12-month period. A two-year study compared the use of disinfection caps to an intense scrub-the-hub intervention to standard care. Scrub-the-hub refers to cleaning catheter connector hubs and injection ports with alcohol for the recommended 15 seconds before accessing the central line, a catheter placed in a large vein to deliver medicine and liquids during hospitalization.

5 Jun 2014

Superbugs decrease among patients after adding UVD to cleaning regimen

Healthcare-associated vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (CD), and other multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) were decreased among patients after adding ultraviolet environmental disinfection (UVD) to the cleaning regimen, according to a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

28 May 2014

MGH researchers test novel approach to disinfecting wounds in animal study

Application of a technology currently used to disinfect food products may help to get around one of the most challenging problems in medicine today, the proliferation of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs.

22 May 2014

Disease-causing bacteria can linger in airplane cabins for days, says study

Disease-causing bacteria can linger on surfaces commonly found in airplane cabins for days, even up to a week, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

21 May 2014

Surgical site infection guidelines provide real-world strategies to reduce number of infections

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common and costly healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in the United States.

7 May 2014

New expert guidance encourages healthcare institutions to implement prevention efforts infectious diarrhea

With rates of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) now rivaling drug-resistant Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as the most common bacteria to cause healthcare-associated infections, new expert guidance encourages healthcare institutions to implement and prioritize prevention efforts for this infectious diarrhea.

7 May 2014

Researchers launch detailed atlas with environment and health maps

Researchers have launched a detailed atlas with environment and health maps at a fine scale across England and Wales.

25 Apr 2014

Oral-B introduces three latest advancements at British Dental Conference and Exhibition

At the British Dental Conference and Exhibition, Oral-B introduced three of its latest advancements to dental professionals: TEST DRIVE power brush trial programme, CROSS ACTION brush head and SmartSeries electric toothbrush with Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.

22 Apr 2014

Sneeze and cough generate cloud of invisible gas that propels droplets of infectious material

Each sneeze, cough or burp generates a cloud of invisible gas that propels droplets of infectious material farther than originally thought, and smaller droplets actually travel farther than larger ones. A new study from MIT researchers published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics says this gas cloud extends the reach of droplets by 5 to 200 times.

16 Apr 2014

Daylight Medical releases SKY 6Xi disinfection technology for mobile devices

Daylight Medical, manufacturer and provider of innovative medical products, is pleased to announce its rollout of SKY 6Xi, disinfection technology for mobile devices. SKY 6Xi uses high intensity (254 nanometer wavelength) ultraviolet light in the "C" spectrum (UVC) at close proximity to thoroughly disinfect a mobile device. The unique power of SKY reduces the risk that Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are transmitted to patients while improving safety for healthcare workers.

15 Apr 2014

Uric acid in urine generates potentially hazardous in swimming pools by interacting with chlorine

A new study shows how uric acid in urine generates potentially hazardous "volatile disinfection byproducts" in swimming pools by interacting with chlorine, and researchers are advising swimmers to observe "improved hygiene habits.

2 Apr 2014

Nanosonics partners with Miele Professional to distribute trophon EPR in Germany

Nanosonics Limited is pleased to announce it has entered into a strategic partnership with Miele Professional for the distribution of trophon EPR in Germany.

28 Mar 2014

New PhoneSoap Charger is most effective way to kill bacteria growing on cell phones

Cell phones have become our constant companions, and as a result, they are exposed to many bacteria and viruses. When we open a door, shake hands, use an ATM or dozens of other daily tasks, our hands come in contact with germs, and numerous studies have shown that a significant number of bacteria, such as the flu virus, staph, strep, E. coli, and salmonella, are transferred from our hands to our cell phones every time we pick them up.

5 Mar 2014

Deficient hygiene routines make it difficult to eradicate multi-resistant bacterium

A previously unknown multi-resistant bacterium has been sticking around at a Swedish University Hospital for ten years.

3 Mar 2014

Active ingredient in vinegar can effectively kill mycobacteria

The active ingredient in vinegar, acetic acid, can effectively kill mycobacteria, even highly drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an international team of researchers from Venezuela, France, and the US reports in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

25 Feb 2014

Commonly used disinfectants do not kill human papillomavirus, say researchers

Commonly used disinfectants do not kill human papillomavirus (HPV) that makes possible non-sexual transmission of the virus, thus creating a need for hospital policy changes, according to researchers from Penn State College of Medicine and Brigham Young University.

13 Feb 2014