Infection Control

Seattle Children's is facing violations after mold investigation

Cited deficiencies include the failure to properly maintain air filtering systems that fed to operating rooms

7/15/2019

Environmental monitoring can reduce healthcare-associated infections

Patients in healthcare facilities are often particularly vulnerable to infections due to weakened immune systems and the presence of invasive medical devices such as needles and catheters

7/15/2019

Mich. nursing facilities seeing more VRE, less MRSA

Since 2003, rates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus almost tripled

7/12/2019

Seattle Children's hospital reopened 14 operating rooms closed after mold found

1 killed, 5 infected by mold at the hospital in last two years

7/11/2019

Candida auris is a growing problem

It may remain even after surfaces are disinfected

7/11/2019

Hospitals in Vermont and New Hampshire struggle for clean linens after plant closing

Some hospitals are now getting linens from as far away as New York and Canada

7/11/2019

UPMC Children's MRSA cases mostly in the NICU

The hospital tested all NICU patients, and six tested positive

7/10/2019

Seattle Children’s closes all main operating rooms because of mold

Aspergillus mold was found in several operating and equipment storage rooms

7/9/2019

Norovirus may be transmitted through the air

Outbreaks of norovirus are especially difficult to control in hospital settings

7/9/2019

UV light fights germs on mobile devices

Ultraviolet rays kill nearly 100% of bacteria found on mobile devices in healthcare settings

7/8/2019

Illinois investigating 4 cases of Legionnaires’ at Christ Medical Center

Legionnaires’ found in three patients and a staff member at healthcare facility in Oak Lawn

7/8/2019

Study finds C. Auris spreads through skin shedding

The findings highlight need for hygiene and disinfection

7/5/2019

12 die from rare bacterial infection in Essex

The outbreak of invasive Group A streptococcus has been linked to care for chronic wounds

7/5/2019

Ebola transmission model predicted recent Uganda cases

The researchers say the model should be used as a risk assessment tool to prepare and distribute resources

7/2/2019

Verbal hand-hygiene reminders In hospitals may curb infections

Voice-based electronic monitoring systems showed a 61.4 percent decrease in HAIs

7/2/2019

Dry hydrogen peroxide: A novel delivery of an effective microbial reduction agent for environmental cleaning

Dry hydrogen peroxide, a non-aqueous gas, has been used for environmental disinfection in fields such as agriculture, biodefense/government, and sports

7/1/2019

Growing threat from HAIs drive cleaning demand

Candida auris has put the spotlight back on daily cleaning

7/1/2019

Ebola death toll in Congo surpasses 1,500

A total of 2,239 Ebola cases were reported since the outbreak began

6/28/2019

Ebola efforts in Congo running short of money

Some fear situation will turn into a regional catastrophe

6/27/2019

U.S. Candida auris cases near 700

The case count jumped by 71 in the span of one month

6/26/2019

Dealing with the problem of dirty sinks

How clean can your washed hands really be if the sink is contaminated?

6/25/2019

Ohio hospital links hot water system to Legionnaires' outbreak

Testing showed significant legionella bacteria in the hot water system

6/25/2019

Arizona moves to revoke license after maggots found on Hacienda HealthCare resident

Hacienda is the same facility where an incapacitated female resident last year was raped and later gave birth to a baby

6/24/2019

Hospital faucets can harbor slime and biofilm

Water splashing out of a sink can spread contaminants

6/21/2019

Ohio hospital didn’t disinfect water lines linked to Legionnaires’

Officials said they think the bacteria are linked to inadequate disinfection prior to the facility’s opening

6/21/2019

Flint hospital ordered to reduce Legionnaires' risks

Hospital says the order is part of an effort to shift blame

6/21/2019

WHO repeats: Ebola outbreak not yet a global emergency.

It’s the third time agency has decided against emergency designation

6/20/2019

How to mitigate the spread of pathogens in sterile medical areas

Pathogens are most likely to proliferate in areas where moisture can accumulate and in any type of indentation, nook, cranny, divot, crack and puncture

6/20/2019

Infection control efforts start with EMS personnel

A study found that EMS practiced hand hygiene before patient contact in just 7 percent of assessments

6/20/2019

Ebola cases reported in Uganda

Cases are first outside outbreak in Congo

6/18/2019

Twice-daily disinfection recommended for healthcare facility tablets

Tablets are often colonized with important human pathogens

6/17/2019

Problems with water pump postpones surgeries at Mayo University Hospital

The water pump in the sterilization facility

6/17/2019

WHO: Containing Congo Ebola outbreak may take two years

Of the 1,931 confirmed Ebola patients, 1,357 have died

6/14/2019

Man hires attorney after contracting lice from gurney at Detroit hospital

Hospital employees discovered that someone had stuffed wet clothes covered in bugs - possibly lice - under the gurney he was given as a mattress

6/13/2019

Ebola outbreak reaches 2,000 cases

The number of confirmed cases reached 2,000 three times as quickly as it took to reach 1,000

6/10/2019

Three more Legionnaires’ cases reported at Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital

One person who contracted Legionnaires’ has died

6/10/2019

Areas outside nursing home resident rooms key to infection control

Residents have frequent contact with staff and the environment outside of their rooms

6/7/2019

Germicidal technologies can reduce hospital airborne pathogens

UV-C energy can fortify hospital defenses against infectious diseases by reducing their concentrations without increasing their resistance to medicines

6/7/2019

New Ohio healthcare facility reports patient death in Legionnaires’ outbreak

The first patient was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ the day after the hospital opened

6/6/2019

Michigan investigates Legionnaires' at four hospitals

Patient at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor confirmed with Legionnaires' disease

6/4/2019

Environmental disinfection tips for Candida auris infection prevention and control

Preventing C. auris transmission requires diligent adherence to infection control recommendations, including placing patients colonized or infected with C. auris in single rooms on Standard and Contact Precautions

6/4/2019