Prevention

The CDC’s US Antibiotic Awareness Week emphasizes a One Health approach, uniting humans, animals, and environmental health to fight antimicrobial resistance and promote responsible antibiotic use.

Madhavi Ponnapalli, MD, discusses effective wound care strategies, including debridement techniques, offloading modalities, appropriate dressing selection, compression therapy, and nutritional needs for optimal healing outcomes.

The Leapfrog Group enhances hospital safety by publicizing hand hygiene performance, improving patient safety outcomes, and significantly reducing health care-associated infections through transparent standards and monitoring initiatives.

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.

Michelle S. Cespedes, MD, MS, discusses the challenges of managing multimorbidity and polypharmacy in HIV treatment, emphasizing patient education, evolving guidelines, and real-world insights from the REPRIEVE study.

Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics revealed promising data on universal influenza vaccine LHNVD-110 and AMR sepsis vaccine LHNVD-303 at IDWeek 2024, addressing critical global health challenges.

Learn how Germitec’s Chronos uses patented UV-C technology for high-level disinfection of ultrasound probes in 90 seconds, enhancing infection control, patient safety, and environmental sustainability.

The CDC HICPAC discussed updates to airborne pathogen guidelines, emphasizing the need for masks in health care. Despite risks, the committee resisted universal masking, highlighting other mitigation strategies

Clostridioides difficile infections burden US healthcare. Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring (EHHMS) systems remind for soap and water. This study evaluates EHHMS effectiveness by comparing C difficile cases in 10 hospitals with CMS data, linking EHHMS use to reduced cases.

Masking, clean air, and vaccinations are essential in combating COVID-19 and preventing long-term impacts, as evidence mounts of long COVID's significant economic, cognitive, and behavioral effects.

Perioperative nurses bring vital skills in patient safety, infection control, and quality improvement. They enhance surgical outcomes and support health care systems during complex, high-risk procedures.

Non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is a prevalent, preventable infection. Improved oral care protocols and provider education are essential to reducing NV-HAP rates and improving patient outcomes.

A 3-D approach to infection control involves air and surface cleaning, leveraging monitoring, purification, and modeling technologies to reduce respiratory infection risks in health care environments.

The health care staffing shortage impacts patient outcomes. Strategies in education, technology, and support roles aim to prepare resilient professionals and enhance job satisfaction amid challenges.

Outsourcing environmental hygiene in health care facilities offers cost benefits but often compromises quality. Effective oversight, training, and standards are essential for ensuring patient safety.

Rapid diagnostics enhance patient outcomes by enabling prompt, targeted treatments, reducing inappropriate antibiotic use, and combating antimicrobial resistance through informed clinical decisions and stewardship programs.

Explore APIC Chapter Conferences for the remainder of 2024 and 2025. As your APIC Chapter announces its conference, send it to ICT to be posted here!

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), including ventilator-associated (VAP) and non-ventilator (NVHAP) forms, poses significant health risks, contributing to mortality, readmission, and high costs.

Recognize an inspiring infection prevention educator! Submit your nomination by 11:59 PM tomorrow, November 1, 2024, and honor their impactful contributions to the field.

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.

Infection preventionists face severe stress from prolonged crisis-mode work environments, highlighting the need for boundaries, support, and self-compassion to restore personal well-being.

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

The past 5 years in medicine have seen significant advances in RNA vaccines, understanding immune dysregulation, and improved interspecialty communication, promising better disease eradication and tailored treatments.

This Pathogen Pulse highlights: Whooping cough, oropouche fever, and avian influenza. Read on to get caught up on the latest.

Phyllis Arthur, MBA, and David Thomas, CFA, from BIO provide insights into challenges, investment trends, and policy considerations for developing vaccines targeting rare diseases.

Andreea Capilna, MD, PhD, an infectious disease and infection control and prevention doctor for the Regina Maria Military Hospital in Braşov, România, highlights the importance of infection prevention and the critical role of cleaning personnel in maintaining hygiene standards in hospitals.

New research highlights long COVID’s global impact, cognitive decline, and societal consequences, urging renewed focus on prevention, including vaccination, mask use, and better air quality.

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.

The rise of multidrug-resistant gonorrhea highlights the urgent need for new therapies. Zoliflodacin, a promising oral antibiotic, shows effectiveness in late-stage trials.

Novavax’s COVID-19-Influenza Combination vaccine faces a clinical hold after a trial participant developed motor neuropathy, pending further investigation by the FDA.