Infection Control - February 2019
Hand washing increases during viral outbreaks, survey finds
Nearly 2 out of 3 Americans believe their hands are less germy after washing with soap and water than after using hand sanitizer
2/28/2019
Flu activity reaches a new season high
influenza-like illness levels have reached 4.8 percent
2/27/2019
48 states report widespread flu activity
The CDC reported 6,868 confirmed flu-associated hospitalizations from Oct. 1, 2018, through Feb. 9
2/26/2019
Joint Commission offers guidance on writing infection control policies
The Joint Commission approach is based on requirements and chosen evidence-based guidelines
2/25/2019
R.I hospital using new interactive hand-washing simulator
The Miriam Hospital in Providence walks users through the steps of proper hand-washing
2/21/2019
Thirteen million sick with flu so far this season
The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness increased to 4.3 percent for the week ending Feb. 2
2/19/2019
Study says removing sinks from ICU cuts bacterial colonization
'Water-free' patient care can reduce the number of ICU patients colonized with gram-negative bacteria
2/15/2019
Patient at Pennsylvania hospital cleared of Ebola
The situation came after another case in Nebraska last month
2/13/2019
Sinks next to toilets in patient rooms could spread germs
Sinks located next to patient toilets in hospital rooms may be reservoirs for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase
2/13/2019
Sinks next to toilets in patient rooms could spread germs
Sinks located next to patient toilets in hospital rooms may be reservoirs for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase
2/13/2019
N.Y. hospital installs cooling towers to help prevent Legionnaires’
The towers also are expected to reduce energy consumption by about 40 percent
2/12/2019
New York hospital's recognized for water quality program
NewYork-Presbyterian has earned the ASHE Excellence in Health Care Facility Management Award
2/12/2019
Gloveless hospital staffers dispose of dangerous waste at Glasgow facility currently under investigation
A probe is under way into the deaths of the two newborn children at the hospital’s Princess Royal Maternity unit
2/12/2019
Calif. hospital's hand-hygiene rate doubles with RTLS technology
The facility's hand-hygiene compliance has increased, on average, from 45 percent to 77 percent
2/12/2019
Infection control issues may cost two Detroit hospitals Medicare contracts
CMS warned DMC Harper University Hospital and DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital
2/11/2019
Glasgow hospital patient ill with new fungal infection
NHS Greater Glasgow said the likely source is a water leak in a single patient room in the hospital, which has been repaired.
2/8/2019
Anesthesia areas have infection control challenges
Several elements of anesthesia practice were identified as problematic
2/8/2019
Staff at second Glasgow hospital complained about pigeon droppings
Two patients at another Glasgow hospital died after receiving treatment for a fungal infection linked to pigeon droppings
2/6/2019
Cleaning staff at Glasgow hospital with pigeon issues ‘not briefed’ on infection control
The death of a pediatric patient has been linked to pigeon droppings in the facility
2/5/2019
Study tracks which healthcare facility workers wash their hands most
Nurses and environmental and food services staffers came out on top
2/4/2019
Ebola outbreak expected to continue at least 6 more months
WHO expert links large number of children affected to informal health facilities that are not regulated
2/1/2019
