The Infection Control Today® personal protective equipment page offers written and video content on the proper use and—during the time of COVID-19 surges—reuse of PPE, including masks, respirators, gloves, gowns, face shields, goggles, and more. What are the proper donning and doffing methods? How long can PPE be extended? How are these items decontaminated? What comprises proper fit testing? Our experts will tell you.
November 20th 2024
The Cherokee parable of 2 wolves illustrates the importance of emotional intelligence in infection prevention. Feeding the "positive wolf" fosters resilience, collaboration, and meaningful leadership.
Medline's BioMask Named Winner of 2012 Chicago Innovation Awards
October 23rd 2012Medline Industries, Inc.s BioMask, the first-ever FDA-cleared antiviral, antimicrobial medical face mask that is shown to inactivate flu viruses, won the 2012 Chicago Innovation Award at a ceremony in Chicago last night featuring Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois governor Pat Quinn.
Joint Commission Adds Additional Weight to Importance of HCW Vaccination Against Influenza
October 8th 2012A strengthened standard from the Joint Commission is adding additional weight to the importance of healthcare worker vaccination against influenza. As of July 1, 2012, the Joint Commission requires that all accredited healthcare organizations establish an annual influenza vaccination program for staff members and licensed independent practitioners. The standard should be very familiar to many infection preventionists, as six years ago the Joint Commission required that hospitals and long-term care facilities seeking accreditation establish an influenza vaccination program which includes educating about and providing influenza vaccination to healthcare professionals.
Public Health Experts Get Vaccinated, Urge Importance of Influenza Vaccines at NFID News Conference
September 28th 2012Public health officials and medical experts practiced what they preach by getting vaccinated against influenza during a National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) news conference Sept. 27. Urging the public to follow suit, experts cautioned that influenza is unpredictable and that last years mild season is not necessarily an indication of what can be expected in 2012-2013 and, even during mild seasons, flu takes a serious toll.
A Journey of Elimination of CLABSIs and MDROs
September 14th 2012Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to negatively impact the worlds healthcare systems. With continued threats of pandemics, bioterrorism, and evolving multi-drug resistant microorganisms, Infection preventionists face conflicting priorities and must prioritize and streamline processes. In the United States, sadly 1 in 20 patients receiving care in hospitals will contract an HAI. Most HAIs originate from one of three common sources: contaminated hands of the healthcare provider and/or patient, contaminated environmental surfaces, or the contaminated skin of the patient.