Infection Control News and Research

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Cell phones of hospital patients, visitors likely to contain potentially dangerous bacteria

Cell phones used by patients and their visitors were twice as likely to contain potentially dangerous bacteria as those of healthcare workers, according to a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of APIC - the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

1 Jun 2011

CMAJ report outlines challenges, approaches to manage and identify NDM-1 antibiotic resistant enzyme

An enzyme associated with extensive antibiotic resistance called New Delhi metallo---lactamase-1 (NDM-1), endemic in India and Pakistan and spreading worldwide, has been found in two people in the Toronto area, one of whom acquired it in Canada, states a case report in CMAJ.

31 May 2011

Some Veterans' health jeopardized due to poor infection control

Herman Williams came home safely after fighting in the jungles of Vietnam as a Marine. He was shocked to learn four decades later that his military service had again placed him in jeopardy — this time, because he got a tooth pulled. Williams is among 13,000 U.S. veterans who have been warned in the last two years that their blood should be tested for potentially fatal infections after possible exposures by improper hygiene practices at five VA hospitals in Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Tennessee.

31 May 2011

Monitoring adherence to mandatory hand-washing protocols can help stop outbreaks of C. diff bacteria

Just like intelligence agents watching for the real terrorists threatening to attack, monitoring healthcare worker adherence to mandatory hand-washing protocols via hand-washing squads in hospitals can go a long way to stop outbreaks of the opportunistic C. diff bacteria, says Irena Kenneley, an infection prevention and control expert and assistant professor of nursing from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.

20 May 2011

Thirty endoscopy units earn ASGE recognition for safety and quality

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has recognized 30 endoscopy units as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States.

19 May 2011

Face masks worn by TB patients could cut transmission rates to non-infected patients

Face masks worn by patients infected with tuberculosis (TB) may be able to significantly cut transmission rates to non-infected patients, according to a new study by researchers from the U.S. and South Africa. The study was conducted in a specialized airborne infections research facility in South Africa, which was designed to allow study of methods to control the spread of TB.

18 May 2011

Accelr8 presents initial ICU pilot study results at ATS International Conference

Accelr8 Technology Corporation announced that clinical investigators led by Ivor S. Douglas, MD/FRCP (UK) from Denver Health presented initial ICU pilot study results at the 2011 ATS International Conference.

17 May 2011

SunTech Medical releases new line of disposable blood pressure cuffs

SunTech Medical, Inc., a leader in non-invasive blood pressure measurement products and technologies, announces the release of their new line of disposable blood pressure cuffs.

16 May 2011

Tips for fighting drug-resistant superbugs

Superbug CRKP is just the latest in emerging strains of drug-resistant bacteria. While new drugs to combat these stealthy microbes like MRSA and CRKP remain in development what can we do to prevent catching and spreading these dangerous bugs?.

13 May 2011

3M introduces Clean-Trace Hygiene Management System for healthcare facilities

As part of its effort to offer a wide range of environmental hygiene solutions for healthcare facilities, 3M Infection Prevention today announced its 3M™ Clean-Trace™ Hygiene Management System. This solution is designed to help hospitals assess the cleanliness of a surface and validate the efficacy of cleaning protocols and worker performance in less than one minute

11 May 2011

STERIS fourth quarter revenue increases 14% to $377.8 million

STERIS Corporation today announced financial results for its fiscal 2011 fourth quarter ended March 31, 2011. Fiscal 2011 fourth quarter revenue increased 14% to $377.8 million compared with $332.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, with growth in all three business segments.

9 May 2011

Opinions: U.S. support for maternal, child health; infection control at borders; the AMFm model; International Affairs budget; organizations supporting women

When Mother's Day is recognized on Sunday, "let's honor motherhood itself by giving all moms the gift they want most - the chance to deliver and raise healthy children," former Sens. Bill Frist and Jon Corzine, who serve as co-chairs of the Save the Children's Newborn and Child Survival Campaign, write in The Hill's "Congress Blog."

6 May 2011

Study: 15% of U.S. nursing homes receive infection control deficiency citation per year

Fifteen percent of U.S. nursing homes receive deficiency citations for infection control per year, according to a new study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of APIC - the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

4 May 2011

Peripheral venous catheters cause over 10% of catheter-related bloodstream infections

A new study from Rhode Island Hospital has found that more than one in 10 catheter-related bloodstream infections due to Staph aureus in hospitalized adults are caused by infected peripheral venous catheters (PVC). The study points out the substantial medical burden that arises from complications from these infections due to the large number of such catheters used in hospitalized patients.

4 May 2011

SBS explores ‘superbugs’ on Insight Tuesday 10th May

Since the discovery of penicillin in the early twentieth century, antibiotics have fought infections and diseases that were once life threatening. But over time, many bacteria have become resistant to these drugs and patients are increasingly at risk.

3 May 2011

Germ Genie is also effective against C.difficile infection

Scientists at the University of Hertfordshire, who proved the effectiveness of Germ Genie, a tool to prevent infections from keyboards, have now found that it can kill C.difficile.

3 May 2011

Leeds hospitals fined over levels of superbug related cases

According to latest figures the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) superbug cases are again above allowed levels at Leeds hospitals and the hospitals are now facing a fine of £500,000 over failure to tackle the bug. As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post earlier this year, every month that the number of MRSA cases exceeds a target agreed by health bosses, a fine of £100,000 is levied. Between April last year and the end of January, the target was breached four times.

3 May 2011

Hospitals can implement preventive measures to reduce measles outbreak

The U.S. measles vaccination program has been successful in eliminating endemic measles in the United States; yet this success has provided challenges that require ongoing vigilance for the rapid identification and response to measles cases in health care settings.

2 May 2011

New innovative pilot project to combat surgical infections

Roughly one out of every 24 patients undergoing surgery acquires a surgical site infection. With 40 million operations performed in the U.S. each year, between 800,000 and 2 million individuals contract these infections annually.

29 Apr 2011

Getinge Group net sales decrease 6.0% to SEK 5,241 for first quarter 2011

Getinge Group: Reporting period January - March.

27 Apr 2011

Infection Control News and Research

Cell phones of hospital patients, visitors likely to contain potentially dangerous bacteria

CMAJ report outlines challenges, approaches to manage and identify NDM-1 antibiotic resistant enzyme

Some Veterans' health jeopardized due to poor infection control

Monitoring adherence to mandatory hand-washing protocols can help stop outbreaks of C. diff bacteria

Thirty endoscopy units earn ASGE recognition for safety and quality

Face masks worn by TB patients could cut transmission rates to non-infected patients

Accelr8 presents initial ICU pilot study results at ATS International Conference

SunTech Medical releases new line of disposable blood pressure cuffs

Tips for fighting drug-resistant superbugs

3M introduces Clean-Trace Hygiene Management System for healthcare facilities

STERIS fourth quarter revenue increases 14% to $377.8 million

Opinions: U.S. support for maternal, child health; infection control at borders; the AMFm model; International Affairs budget; organizations supporting women

Study: 15% of U.S. nursing homes receive infection control deficiency citation per year

Peripheral venous catheters cause over 10% of catheter-related bloodstream infections

SBS explores ‘superbugs’ on Insight Tuesday 10th May

Germ Genie is also effective against C.difficile infection

Leeds hospitals fined over levels of superbug related cases

Hospitals can implement preventive measures to reduce measles outbreak

New innovative pilot project to combat surgical infections

Getinge Group net sales decrease 6.0% to SEK 5,241 for first quarter 2011

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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