HAIs

Using the same technology found in clothing tags used in retail store tracking systems, a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows that surgical sponges with implanted radio frequency (RF) tags may be an effective adjunct to manual counting and X-ray detection in preventing sponges from being left behind in patients following a surgical procedure.

Kimberly-Clark Health Care has been recognized by the Premier Healthcare Alliance for its new KimVent Multi-Access Port Closed Suction System based on the product's innovation and potential to improve patient outcomes.

Prolonged catheterization is the primary risk factor for catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Reminder systems are interventions used to prompt the removal of unnecessary urinary catheters. Prolonged catheterization is the primary risk factor for catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Reminder systems are interventions used to prompt the removal of unnecessary urinary catheters.

Pharmacy OneSource announces a complimentary Webinar, "New Research on Preventing Hospital Infection," presented by Betsy McCaughey, PhD.

An examination of hospital complication rates of bariatric surgery for more than 15,000 patients in Michigan finds that the frequency of serious complications is relatively low and is inversely associated with hospital and surgeon procedural volume, according to a study in the July 28 issue of JAMA.

Smaller, rural hospitals may be quicker and more efficient at implementing surgical safety initiatives than their larger, urban counterparts, and are capable of providing a standard of surgical care that is at par with major hospitals that provide a comprehensive array of care services, according to an 18-month series of studies led by researchers from the University of Louisville Department of Surgery.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) will hold its "Building an Effective Business Case for Infection Prevention" conference Sept. 12-13, 2010 in Baltimore, Md.

In an ongoing effort to improve patient safety, the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UT Medical Center) of Knoxville, Tenn., will utilize the Premier healthcare alliances SafetyConnect patient safety program complete with the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON)'s online educational modules.