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Study shows peripherally inserted central catheters have similar CLABSI risk in vulnerable patients

A new study reports that peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) do not reduce the risk of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in hospitalized patients. PICCs have become one of the most commonly used central venous catheters (CVCs) in healthcare settings since they are considered easier and safer to use, with less risk of CLABSIs.

7 Aug 2013

Researchers create computational model to track VRE spread among hospitals

A moderate increase in vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) at one hospital can lead to a nearly 3 percent increase in VRE in every other hospital in that county, according to a study in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

31 Jul 2013

Saudi and UK scientists provide detailed picture of MERS coronavirus

Saudi and UK scientists provide the most detailed picture yet of the clinical and laboratory characteristics of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus, revealing a wide range of clinical symptoms and an extremely high death rate among patients with co-existing medical conditions.

29 Jul 2013

Researchers explain most likely pathways of international spread of MERS coronavirus

The life-threatening MERS coronavirus that has emerged in the Middle East could spread faster and wider during two international mass gatherings involving millions of people in the next few months, according to researchers who describe the most likely pathways of international spread based upon worldwide patterns of air travel.

20 Jul 2013

IDSA and ASM collaborate to guide the best use of lab tests for diagnosis of infectious diseases

A new guide developed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) will help physicians appropriately and accurately use laboratory tests for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Laboratory test results drive approximately two-thirds of physicians' medical decisions.

11 Jul 2013

Study reveals that contaminated ultrasound gel causes healthcare-associated infection

After a 2011 outbreak of P. aeruginosa, investigators at Beaumont Health System near Detroit, Michigan determined contaminated ultrasound gel was the source of bacteria causing the healthcare-associated infection.

10 Jul 2013

Infection control program and active surveillance can reduce incidence of impatient C. diff infections

A comprehensive infection control program combined with an active surveillance process significantly reduced the incidence of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections in a long-term acute care hospital, according to a study published in the Journal for Healthcare Quality, the peer reviewed publication of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ).

10 Jul 2013

Study: Diabetes before pregnancy linked to increased risk of MRSA

Pregnant women with diabetes are more than three times as likely as mothers without diabetes to become infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) before hospital discharge, according to a study in the July issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

1 Jul 2013

Unique health economics assessment of copper's role in HCAIs to be presented at ICPIC 2013

A unique health economics assessment of copper's role in preventing healthcare-associated infections is being presented this week at the WHO's International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control in Geneva, demonstrating rapid payback on the capital investment.

25 Jun 2013

Rigorous interventions result in fewer infections, deaths associated with hospital-onset C. difficile

Rhode Island Hospital has reduced the incidence of hospital-associated Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections by 70 percent and reduced annual associated mortality in patients with hospital-associated C. difficile by 64 percent through successive implementation of five rigorous interventions , as reported in the July 2013 issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.

21 Jun 2013

D4D Technologies, Henry Schein announce launch of E4D NEVO Scanner and Design Center

D4D Technologies, LLC, the award-winning developer of digital technologies for dentistry, and Henry Schein, Inc., announced today the all new E4D NEVO Scanner and Design Center, enhancing the ease-of-use in digital dental restorations for the benefit of the patient and the practitioner.

20 Jun 2013

Malaria control strategies: an interview with Sir Richard Feachem, Global Health Group, University of California, San Francisco

Exciting progress has been made in the global fight against malaria. The malaria map continues to shrink each year; in the last ten years four countries have been certified malaria-free, and thirty-four additional countries are now working towards malaria elimination targets.

17 Jun 2013

Small hospitals have higher rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is one of the most frequent healthcare-associated infections found in intensive-care units. New research on the prevalence of VAP in community hospitals shows small hospitals (less than 30,000 patient-days/year) have a higher rate of VAP than their larger counterparts, despite less use of ventilators.

11 Jun 2013

3 out of 20 GI endoscopes used for screening harbor unacceptable levels of "bio dirt"

Three out of 20 flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes used for screening were found to harbor unacceptable levels of "bio dirt" - cells and matter from a patient's body that could pose potential infection risk -- according to a study of endoscopes used at five hospitals across the U.S.

10 Jun 2013

Mandatory influenza vaccination does not lead to excessive voluntary termination

Mandatory influenza (flu) vaccination, as a condition of employment, did not lead to excessive voluntary termination, according to a four-year analysis of vaccination rates at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL.

10 Jun 2013

Video promotes awareness about safe injection practices

A video depicting an animated man's harrowing experience with the healthcare system, including an avoidable unsafe injection, is the grand prize winner of the third annual Film Festival at the 40th Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

7 Jun 2013

Proventix Systems honors physicians for excellence and leadership in hand hygiene

Proventix Systems, Inc. of Birmingham, Ala. today awarded the Lathem Physician Leadership Award in Hand Hygiene to five physicians who demonstrate a commitment to hand hygiene excellence and leadership in their facilities.

7 Jun 2013

Duke University is awarded $2M to initiate new clinical research network on antibacterial resistance

Duke University, Durham, N.C., has been awarded $2 million to initiate a new clinical research network focused on antibacterial resistance. Total funding for the leadership group cooperative agreement award could reach up to $62 million through 2019.

4 Jun 2013

Duke Medicine, UCSF investigators to oversee research program on antibacterial resistance

Investigators at Duke Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco have been selected to oversee a nationwide research program on antibacterial resistance, which includes a focus on the growing unmet challenges associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli.