Infection Control News and Research

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Staying in a multi-bed hospital room increases the risk of acquiring serious infectious diseases

Staying in a multi-bed hospital room dramatically increases the risk of acquiring a serious infectious disease, Queen's University researchers have discovered.

5 Jan 2010

Growing public health threat from surge in drug-resistant strains of acinetobacter

A new study in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology reports a surge in drug-resistant strains of Acinetobacter, a dangerous type of bacteria that is becoming increasingly common in U.S. hospitals. This study is being posted online today and will appear in the journal's February print edition.

24 Dec 2009

SCCA's infection control program leads to suppression of potential H1N1 pandemic

Despite a 100-fold increase in H1N1 influenza cases in the Seattle area during spring 2009, an aggressive infection control program to protect immunocompromised cancer patients and thorough screening measures resulted in no corresponding increase in H1N1 cases among the total patient population at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, according to a new study by researchers and physicians at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the SCCA.

19 Dec 2009

Risk of H1N1 exposure alters U.S. holiday plans

Forty percent of U.S. adults intend to change their holiday plans due to the risk of being exposed to the H1N1 flu virus, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by JohnsonDiversey, a global leader in the commercial cleaning and sanitizing industry.

17 Dec 2009

Portable bladder volume ultrasound now included in 2009 CDC guidelines for the prevention CA-UTIs

Verathon®, maker of BladderScan® bladder volume instruments is pleased to announce that portable bladder volume ultrasound is now included in the new 2009 CDC guidelines for the Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CA-UTIs).

17 Dec 2009

Infection control program protects immunocompromised cancer patients from H1N1 infection

17 Dec 2009

Post-surgical infections raise healthcare expenditures

Post-surgical infections significantly increase the chance of hospital readmission and death and cost as much as $60,000 per patient, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers who conducted the largest study of its kind to date.

16 Dec 2009

Tips to help patients become more active and involved in their health care

A visit to the doctor is a time to talk and learn, and patients play a critical role in their health care, just like doctors, nurses and other caregivers, according to The Joint Commission's "Tips for Your Doctor's Visit" Speak Up™ educational campaign.

10 Dec 2009

Vestagen Technical Textiles introduces Nanotechnology-Based Healthcare Specialty Textiles

Vestagen Technical Textiles today announced its entry into the advanced performance textile arena with the introduction of the first of a new class of Nanotechnology-Based Healthcare Specialty Textiles.

9 Dec 2009

'Hand Hygiene Saves Lives' encourages patients to remind healthcare staff to wash their hands

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Catholic Healthcare Partners (CHP) and the Premier healthcare alliance today released research showing that a video can be an effective tool for encouraging patients to remind healthcare staff to wash their hands.

8 Dec 2009

Tips to prevent H1N1 infection

National Handwashing Awareness Week is from Dec. 6 to 12, and a Geisinger physician advises that with the presence of the H1N1 virus this year, handwashing is more important than ever.

5 Dec 2009

WHO investigates Tamiflu resistance, updates antiviral recommendations for H1N1 patients with severely compromised immune systems

Following recent reports of clusters of Tamiflu resistance, the WHO on Wednesday recommended that patients with severely weakened immune systems who become infected with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus receive additional antiviral treatment as needed throughout the duration of their illness, Agence France-Presse reports. "

4 Dec 2009

Hospital germ check strategies adaptable for homes

With cold and flu season upon us, it's more important than ever to employ good practices to control the spread of infections and avoid illness.

26 Nov 2009

MRSA making its way into hospitals, says study

The community-associated strain of the deadly superbug MRSA-an infection-causing bacteria resistant to most common antibiotics-poses a far greater health threat than previously known and is making its way into hospitals, according to a study in the December issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

24 Nov 2009

Discovery holds promise in fighting cancer, AIDS and autoimmune disorders

21 Nov 2009

WSNA highlights serious concerns about safety of nurses and patients during H1N1 pandemic

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing more than 1,600 registered nurses at Sacred Heart Medical Center, is holding a press conference today to highlight serious concerns about the safety of nurses and patients at Sacred Heart Medical Center during this H1N1 pandemic.

20 Nov 2009

H1N1: Bridging the knowledge gap

A commentary in the December issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases brings to light the gaps in knowledge on the transmission of a common pathogen - the influenza virus - and its impact on decisions about how best to protect health care workers. Infectious diseases specialist Leonard Mermel, DO, medical director of infection control for Rhode Island Hospital, looks at the ongoing debate in light of the H1N1 pandemic, what past research tells us about the spread of influenza, and what is missing in the debate. His commentary is currently available in an online first edition.

20 Nov 2009

Genetic identity of cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody discovered

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have uncovered the genetic identity of a cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody, a discovery that sheds new light on infection control and immune disorders. The discovery is such a crucial part of immunology that UAB researchers, in conjunction with Japanese researchers, are asking that the gene linked to this antibody receptor be renamed to better describe its role in early immune responses.

19 Nov 2009

Real time location system can make hospitals more efficient and improve patient care

Results from the first multidisciplinary university study examining the impact of a Real Time Location System (RTLS) deployed throughout a hospital show that the technology for tracking mobile medical equipment is driving increased operational efficiency and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, while also enabling nurses to spend more time with patients and improve staff morale.

18 Nov 2009

New faces of HIV/AIDS: A report

World AIDS Day 2009 will be marked with both grim and hopeful data: more than 25 million people have died of AIDS worldwide since 1981; 33 million are living with HIV/AIDS. While potent, effective medications have changed an HIV diagnosis from death sentence to manageable chronic illness in resource rich countries, global rates of infection still outstrip prevention and treatment capacity.

16 Nov 2009

Infection Control News and Research

Staying in a multi-bed hospital room increases the risk of acquiring serious infectious diseases

Growing public health threat from surge in drug-resistant strains of acinetobacter

SCCA's infection control program leads to suppression of potential H1N1 pandemic

Risk of H1N1 exposure alters U.S. holiday plans

Portable bladder volume ultrasound now included in 2009 CDC guidelines for the prevention CA-UTIs

Infection control program protects immunocompromised cancer patients from H1N1 infection

Post-surgical infections raise healthcare expenditures

Tips to help patients become more active and involved in their health care

Vestagen Technical Textiles introduces Nanotechnology-Based Healthcare Specialty Textiles

'Hand Hygiene Saves Lives' encourages patients to remind healthcare staff to wash their hands

Tips to prevent H1N1 infection

WHO investigates Tamiflu resistance, updates antiviral recommendations for H1N1 patients with severely compromised immune systems

Hospital germ check strategies adaptable for homes

MRSA making its way into hospitals, says study

Discovery holds promise in fighting cancer, AIDS and autoimmune disorders

WSNA highlights serious concerns about safety of nurses and patients during H1N1 pandemic

H1N1: Bridging the knowledge gap

Genetic identity of cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody discovered

Real time location system can make hospitals more efficient and improve patient care

New faces of HIV/AIDS: A report

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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