Infection Control - January 2019
Flu activity elevated in most of the U.S.
CDC expects flu activity to remain elevated for a number of weeks
1/31/2019
Two dead after pigeon dropping infection at Glasgow hospital
Control measures have been put in place amid further investigation
1/30/2019
UK infection measures reviewed after baby’s death
Pseudomonas bacteria are commonly found in soil, plants and water supplies
1/30/2019
Sunshine may kill bacteria in dust
Dust kept in the dark contained organisms closely linked to some respiratory diseases
1/30/2019
Attorney says clients contracted hepatitis from unsanitary N.J. health facility
Attorney represents hundreds of former patients of facility
1/29/2019
Study: Ultraviolet disinfection 97.7% effective in operating rooms
Study examined a UV light technology that can be used in a range of healthcare settings
1/29/2019
How clean are healthcare facilities?
Thorough environmental cleaning is required to ensure that hospitals are safe for patients
1/28/2019
Sanitizing a hospital mattress
The procedures are rarely completed properly, especially rinsing, negating the value of the process
1/25/2019
Privacy curtains challenge infection control efforts
Most facilities are still using privacy curtains to avoid expensive remodels
1/25/2019
WHO includes flu pandemic, Ebola in top 10 threats to global health
Air pollution and climate change top the list
1/24/2019
Arkansas cancer clinic sued over bacterial outbreak
The plaintiffs were clinic patients with chemotherapy ports who were infected with the bacteria
1/21/2019
The role of auditing in cleaning and disinfection
Nurses play a vital role in healthcare settings
1/21/2019
First in-season flu numbers released by CDC
This is the first time these estimates are being provided during the flu season
1/18/2019
Scottish hospital porters handle clinical waste during protests
A union had advised its members to stop dealing with the waste after four staffers were injured
1/18/2019
How ready is the U.S. for an Ebola outbreak?
Fourteen percent of administrators felt their facilities were unprepared for a patient with Ebola or an EID
1/18/2019
Ultraviolet light added to disinfection cuts C diff.
During the study, C diff. infection rates dropped in the intervention units to 11.2 from 28.7 per 10,000 patient
1/18/2019
Legionnaires' found at Pennsylvania facility
One of the infected residents has died due to multiple contributing health factors
1/17/2019
Study finds bacteria in ancient Irish soil stops growth of superbugs
The soil in question is reputed to have healing properties
1/16/2019
CDC, APIC offer new infection prevention tools
Tools released are being tested at three hospitals
1/14/2019
Hartlepool healthcare facilities sees 27 percent drop in C. diff. infections
Reported community acquired infections have shown a 32 percent rise
1/14/2019
Reducing cross-contamination risk
The environmental services staff needs to know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting
1/14/2019
Bill Gates says we aren't ready for a deadly pandemic
He believes the next deadly epidemic will be the flu
1/11/2019
Study finds: Antimicrobial hospital curtains cut bacterial contamination
One type of antimicrobial curtain was highly effective at reducing the number of bacteria living on the surface
1/11/2019
Mold in hospital’s maternity unit sickens more than 50 employees
More than 50 employees in the maternity unit at Staten Island University Hospital North say they've been sickened in recent months by an odor
1/11/2019
Glasgow surgical cleaning unit closes after mold and bacteria is found
Although a deep clean was performed, mould continues to be an issue
1/10/2019
Bacteria found on EEG electrodes poses infection risk
Twenty-five percent of cleaned reusable electrodes still had bacteria present
1/10/2019
New York hospital urged to move maternity ward over mold and leaking gas fears
The mold and anesthetic gas traces were detected in the maternity ward at Staten Island University Hospital North
1/9/2019
Doctors say Palestinian superbug epidemic could spread
Shortages of water, power and fuel for generators mean doctors cannot always meet even basic hygiene standards
1/9/2019
Epidemiologist: Legionella is everywhere
Doctor says routine cleaning and maintenance of large water systems are key to preventing patients from falling ill
1/9/2019
One dead after Legionella found at West Michigan hospital
The hospital is using alternative water sources and water filtration
1/8/2019
Two fired from N.J. facility that may have exposed thousands to HIV, hepatitis
A Saddle Brook surgery center was closed after state surveyors found an outdated infection control plan and unacceptable sterilization practices
1/8/2019
Maryland hospital's pipes contained uncommon bacteria that infected patients
Patients were infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria living in the plumbing of the National Institutes of Health’s hospital
1/8/2019
Johns Hopkins hospitals don’t always follow safety rules they pioneered
The hospitals have been accused of setting aside basic safety rules
1/7/2019
U.S. healthcare worker with possible exposure to Ebola evacuated to Nebraska
The worker was treating patients and had contact with a patient who was later diagnosed with Ebola
1/4/2019
Study says one-wipe cleaning system for nurses is effective
Contamination of the environment around patients seen as MRSA risk
1/4/2019
Study: Isolation room pressure key to limiting spread of airborne germs
A high air-change rate in AIIRs does not ensure efficient removal of infectious agents
1/2/2019
