Infection Control - January 2020
China's new coronavirus hospital half done in four days
The hospital is expected to take its first patients on February 3
1/31/2020
China says coronavirus can spread before symptoms show
The CDC says there is no clear evidence that patients are infectious before symptom onset
1/31/2020
Ebola virus, Lassa fever can be treated without infecting healthcare personnel
'Meticulous' implementation of infection control and clinical biosafety practices needed
1/31/2020
Economic analyst says the worst has yet to come with coronavirus
The number of new infections is still on the rise
1/31/2020
U.S. readiness for a viral outbreak better, but needs improvement
The U.S. has made progress in preparedness since Ebola
1/31/2020
Snakes could be the source of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak
Virus linked to the Chinese krait and the Chinese cobra
1/30/2020
Chinese city plans to build coronavirus hospital in days
Wuhan is constructing a 1,000-bed facility with prefab buildings
1/30/2020
Coronavirus death toll jumps to more than 80, five US cases confirmed
New coronavirus has been identified in Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington state
1/30/2020
Cardinal Health recalls 9 million surgical gowns
About 7.7 million were distributed to 2,807 facilities across the country
1/30/2020
US government just cut funding for the hospitals that deal with outbreaks
Hospitals are unlikely to invest the necessary resources to prepare for somewhat improbable events
1/29/2020
Gaps found in Canadian hospitals’ preparedness for C. auris
The first multidrug-resistant case of the illness was reported in the country in 2017
1/29/2020
CDC estimates flu has killed 6,600 in U.S.
The overall flu-associated hospitalization rate is in line with trends seen during this time last season
1/28/2020
Integrated infection prevention is essential for protecting patients
A growing number of clinical studies have demonstrated that “no-touch” technologies are effective in reducing bacterial contamination of surfaces and can reduce colonization/infection in patients admitted to these hospital rooms
1/28/2020
UV light fights germs on mobile devices
Ultraviolet rays kill nearly 100% of bacteria found on mobile devices in healthcare settings
1/28/2020
At least five patients with Wuhan coronavirus reported in U.S.
A man in Washington State is infected with the new respiratory virus, and there are more possible
1/27/2020
Pa. health system cancels surgeries due to surgical gown issues
Cardinal Health warned customers that some of its surgical gowns may not be sterile
1/24/2020
Copper surfaces reduce hand transmission in eldercare
Researchers investigated outbreaks in a nursing home
1/24/2020
Copper beds cut surface bacteria
On average, copper beds harbored 94 percent fewer bacteria than conventional beds
1/24/2020
N.Y. nursing home cited after maggots found in patient wound
Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation was not fined
1/22/2020
Calif. hospital sets up overflow tent for flu patients
California seeing more flu cases than normal
1/22/2020
Dealing with the problem of dirty sinks
How clean can your washed hands really be if the sink is contaminated?
1/21/2020
Adopting EVS cleaning practices in skilled nursing facilities
The presence of more higher-acuity patients has led to greater danger from infections
1/20/2020
Probe: Hospital used OR without HEPA filter when infant got sick
Other operating rooms at the hospital had HEPA filters
1/20/2020
Best practices for cleaning, disinfection
Cleaning, disinfecting critical to prevention of hospital-acquired infections
1/20/2020
Presence of pan-resistant C. auris growing in New York
A total of 427 of 911 nationwide confirmed cases are found in New York
1/17/2020
Science teacher's experiment illustrates need for hand hygiene
Soap and water had positive results
1/16/2020
Door selection can impact infection control
Touchless doors can help stop the spread of germs and bacteria
1/16/2020
Pa. hospital criticized for 'systemic' failures
An investigation found unsanitary equipment, dirty linens on the floors
1/15/2020
Study: ICU patients’ hands carry pathogens
Hand hygiene important for patients as well as healthcare workers
1/15/2020
Pa. hospital where preemies died didn’t sanitize breast milk equipment
State health department ordered Geisinger Medical Center in Danville to correct several deficiencies
1/14/2020
Missouri hospital ordered to stop performing surgery
Regulators conducted an inspection at Pinnacle Regional Hospital and cited it for sterile processing procedures
1/14/2020
Five hospitals' mold issues making headlines
A number of healthcare facilities have detected molds in their facilities over the past year
1/14/2020
Pediatric flu death toll highest in 17 years
CDC says 27 pediatric deaths have occurred so far this season
1/13/2020
Strain B influenza appearing earlier than usual this flu season
Strain A usually occurs around late December and early January
1/10/2020
Case of Legionnaires' Disease reported at Illinois Veterans Home
The facility is reviewing water quality data
1/9/2020
Infection control issues temporarily shut down Utah hospital's operating room
A health department report said the hospital failed to provide a sanitary environment
1/9/2020
Dry indoor air linked to higher infection rates
When air is dry, droplets and skin flakes carrying viruses and bacteria travel through the air
1/9/2020
Data shows hundreds of Aspergillus infections at Wash. hospitals
Hospitals say they’re not the source
1/8/2020
Ebola protection program expiring
The program supports efforts to quickly identify and isolate infected people
1/7/2020
Study tracks MRSA and S aureus in nursing homes
The presence of S aureus was 28.6 percent and of MRSA and MSSA, 20.1 percent
1/7/2020
CDC says US Candida auris cases rose by 100 in two months
The number of infections increased by 105 from Aug. to Oct.
1/7/2020
Study says patients often bring C. Diff in with them
The study suggested hospitals should try to identify carriers of C. diff to prevent the spread on infection
1/7/2020
Study links psychological safety, infection prevention efforts
Thirty-eight percent of responding hospitals had high levels of psychological safety
1/6/2020
3.7 million flu cases reported by mid December
The CDC says there have 32,000 hospitalizations and 1,800 deaths
1/3/2020
Operating room material choices must address infection control needs
Materials and finishes in the OR—particularly walls and flooring—are an important part of creating a safe environment, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
1/3/2020
Survey links psychological safety and infection prevention practices
Psychological safety refers to the shared belief that team members are safe when speaking up or making mistakes
1/2/2020
