Long-Term Care

Fungal infections are a rising global threat, with antifungal resistance complicating treatment. Neil J. Clancy, MD, emphasizes the urgent need for research, better diagnostics, and stronger infection prevention strategies.

This week's edition of Hot Topics in IPC covers the latest in Trump's executive orders and in avian flu.

The US CDC's sudden cutoff from WHO threatens global health security, leaving infection preventionists scrambling to track deadly outbreaks like Marburg virus, mpox, and avian flu.

A CNA unknowingly worked while infectious with mpox, exposing 56 residents. Yet, no secondary infections occurred, highlighting the power of standard precautions in healthcare settings.

Antibiotic stewardship in long-term care facilities relies on McGeer and Loeb criteria to guide infection surveillance and appropriate prescribing, ensuring better outcomes for residents and reducing resistance.

Explore APIC’s groundbreaking framework for defining and documenting infection preventionist competency. Christine Zirges, DNP, ACNS-BC, CIC, FAPIC, shares insights on advancing professional growth, improving patient safety, and navigating regulatory challenges.

Get Well’s digital patient engagement platform decreases hospital-acquired infection rates by 31%, improves patient education, and fosters involvement in personalized care plans through real-time interaction tools.

Regulatory surveys in long-term care settings focus heavily on infection prevention, with F880 frequently cited. Facilities should ensure thorough infection control training for all staff and partners.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending October 27, 2024.

Research finds Enhanced Barrier Precautions reduce MDRO transmission in nursing homes, though challenges persist with gown usage, education, and comfort during high-contact care activities.

A recent study explores individual, organizational, and environmental factors influencing home care providers' adherence to facial protective equipment (FPE) to improve future pandemic preparedness.

Alesia McKeown, PhD, discusses the pivotal role of cutting-edge diagnostic technologies in enhancing infection prevention, especially in high-risk health care environments, during an interview with Infection Control Today.

Sean Brown’s 2024 Disease Prevention Summit presentation emphasized leveraging technology, prioritizing high-risk patients, and environmental surveillance to enhance infection prevention and control strategies.

A presentation at the Disease Prevention and Control Summit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, spoke about the rising threat of Candida auris.

As influenza and COVID-19 circulate in long-term care facilities, prompt testing, isolation precautions, and antiviral treatments are crucial for preventing outbreaks and protecting vulnerable residents.

Pharmacies, with their widespread locations and extended hours, have become vital access points for vaccinations, particularly in underserved communities. They provide convenience, education, and trusted health care services to millions across the US.

Enjoy this first installment of The Long-Term Care Chronicles With Robbie Hilliard, MSN, RN CIC, a column about managing special infection control situations in the long-term care patient population. This installment is about when 2 experts conflict about best care.

The 2024 surge in infectious diseases like mpox, measles, and meningitis demands a paradigm shift in control strategies, emphasizing expanded expertise, improved airborne precautions, and rethinking cost-effectiveness in healthcare to prevent future outbreaks and protect public health.

Maintaining team morale during financial instability and potential layoffs requires clear communication, emotional support, and professional development opportunities to reassure and retain valuable team members.

Here are the formal rules for the 2024 Winner of the Infection Control Today’s Educator of the Year Award™.

Communal dining in LTC facilities enhances social interaction and nutrition but requires infection prevention measures to protect residents from risks like gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.

Balancing personal struggles and professional responsibilities during crises requires self-awareness, self-compassion, healthy boundaries, and support networks. Embrace these strategies to navigate and overcome challenges.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending July 20, 2024.

In a follow-up to Infection Control Today's (ICT's) article on the CDC's Antimicrobial Resistance Threats in the US 2021-2022 release, Michael Craig, MPP, director of CDC's Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit, answers ICT's questions.

Check out Infection Control Today's PowerPoint that explains updates to the long-term care enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) requirements from the CMS.

The CDC reports today of a 20% increase in antimicrobial-resistant infections during COVID-19, in the years of 2021-2022, highlighting the need for ongoing prevention and updated estimates starting in 2025.

William Shutze, MD, FACS, discusses how infection prevention impacts vascular health, emphasizing key strategies and the role of vascular surgeons in maintaining vascular well-being.

Enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) in nursing homes are vital to prevent multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) transmission, address antimicrobial resistance, and ensure resident safety and well-being.

Dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) significantly reduces surface bioburden in long-term care facilities, enhancing infection control and lowering volatile organic compounds, as presented by Mary L. Cole, MS, RN, CNRN, CCRN, SCRN, CIC, at APIC24.

Certification in infection prevention and control is essential for career growth, higher salaries, and improved patient outcomes. Learn why certification matters from Shazia Irum, MSC, MBA, RN, CIC, CPHQ, CBIC Ambassador in Saudi Arabia.