Hope to Increase the Number of Vaccinated Adults
ATLANTA, GA-According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) published March 24, 2000, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that standing orders programs be implemented in long-term-care facilities under the supervision of the medical director and committee guided protocols. Standing orders programs allow nurse- or pharmacist-issued vaccinations to adults without a physician's exam. Each institution that plans to implement standing orders programs should utilize a committee to establish program guidelines and procedures. ACIP recommends protocols be written for the following procedures:
1. Identifying persons eligible for a vaccine based on their age, vaccination status, or presence of a medical condition that puts them at high risk.2. Providing information to patients or their guardians regarding the risks and benefits of a vaccine.3. Recording patient refusals or medical contraindications. 4. Recording vaccination and any post vaccination adverse events.5. Providing documentation of vaccination to patients and their primary-care providers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that approximately 550,000 cases per year are pneumococcal-disease related and the bacteria is responsible for more deaths than any other vaccine-preventable bacterial disease. Hence, ACIP recommends focusing on influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and implementing programs with hepatitis B and diphtheria and tetanus toxoid vaccines when possible. ACIP also suggests the implementation of standing orders programs in inpatient and outpatient facilities, managed-care organizations, assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, pharmacies, adult workplaces, and home healthcare agencies.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.