Infection Control - November 2018
Wildfire evacuee shelters hit by viral outbreaks
Cleanup crews work to curb spread of sickness with a powerful chemical disinfectant
11/30/2018
Healthcare worker protection: The key to pandemic containment
Prioritizing the protection of healthcare workers can ensure a resilient frontline defense
11/30/2018
Children return to Wanaque facility where 11 died in adenovirus outbreak
Three children have been returned, with their families' permission, after recovering at area hospitals
11/29/2018
ECRI Institute opens access to clinical practice guidelines
The healthcare community has free access to the website
11/29/2018
Scrubs vending machines designed to curb OR contamination
Sales reps are required to buy scrubs while inside healthcare facilities
11/28/2018
Launderable mattress barrier may cut hospital-acquired infections
Clostridium difficile can be spread via neglected surfaces, such as those underneath hospital beds
11/28/2018
N.J. facility separates patients after 11th child dies from viral outbreak
The state ordered 'medically-fragile' children separated from those who are sick
11/27/2018
'Concerned employee' anonymously alerted state to bacteria outbreak in neonatal unit
Four infants contracted the Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria at University Hospital in Newark, N.J.
11/21/2018
Study finds that many hospital linens have mold
Linens tested positive for Mucorales, a type of fungus
11/21/2018
Donated meals sickened hospital staff after Hurricane Harvey
Fifty staff members suffered acute symptoms after eating a meal that included pork sausage, pulled pork, brisket, chicken and yogurt
11/20/2018
Surgical instrument discoloration prompts another hospital to cancel procedures
Issue caused Tampa General Hospital to reschedule some elective surgeries
11/19/2018
Hard water blamed for stained instruments at Michigan hospital
Memorial Healthcare in Owosso has switched to a reverse osmosis system for its water
11/19/2018
40 states report flu activity
The proportion of outpatient visits for influenzalike illness increased slightly
11/16/2018
Epidemic calendar tracks seasons of 69 infectious
Influenza is not the only infectious disease with a season
11/16/2018
Healthcare facilities have unique floor care issues
In environments such as hospitals and nursing homes there will be a need for optimum hygiene
11/16/2018
N.J. lawmakers to investigate infection control at healthcare facilities
New infections continue to be diagnosed at two state longterm care facilities
11/15/2018
Keeping healthcare facilities safe during construction
Construction projects come with infection control measures
11/15/2018
N.J. facility where 10 children died did not inform parents about outbreak, suit says
Mother of a sick child says facility failed to follow safety protocols
11/14/2018
CDC says Ebola outbreak in Congo may not be containable
If the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo becomes more serious, containment efforts may be impossible
11/13/2018
Hospital keeps ceiling fans despite warnings
Large ceiling fans operating in multi-occupancy rooms pose an infection control threat, the experts said
11/13/2018
Pittsburgh-area healthcare facility facing suit for unclean ultrasound probes
UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle is facing a class action lawsuit
11/13/2018
Shoe and floor contamination a challenge for hospitals
Things that come in contact the floor are contaminated and could spreading germs in healthcare facilities
11/12/2018
New bacteria infects cancer patients in Arkansas
Patients who had ports accessed at ACI between March 22 and September 11 of this year are considered at risk
11/12/2018
Chicago nursing facility linked to one of two Legionnaires' clusters in Illinois
A McHenry County Walmart is also a possible exposure point
11/9/2018
Arkansas Cancer Institute bacterial outbreak linked to port cleaning method
Many of the patients have had their ports removed and those people who tested positive for the bacteria will undergo a two-week course of antibiotics
11/9/2018
Low-pressure taps at hospital blamed for babies' infections
The taps were designed for water savings and were unlikely to be flushing with enough force or volume to remove bacteria
11/8/2018
Legionella bacteria found in Queens hospital
The bacteria was found at New York-Presbyterian Hospital
11/8/2018
These are the germiest places in healthcare facilities
There are certain places and things where cleaning is particularly crucial
11/8/2018
Second outbreak of adenovirus reported in N.J.
The second outbreak is believed to be of a milder type than the one responsible for the deaths of 10 children in Wanaque
11/7/2018
MRSA and other germs linger in hospital curtains, linens
Studies show both carry infection control risk
11/6/2018
Worker blames 'filthy' conditions for outbreak at N.J. facility
A worker at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation also points to widespread mismanagement
11/2/2018
'Major' deficiencies found at N.J. hospital following infant's death
Infection control lapses found at University Hospital in Newark
11/2/2018
N.J. facility where 10 children died in outbreak not equipped for quarantine
The children became ill in the facility’s ventilator unit
11/1/2018
