http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 200,000 central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) have been prevented among patients in intensive care units (ICUs) since 1990. The study, published in the June issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, suggests that this progress is likely related to prevention strategies now common in hospitals across the United States. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-clabsi-efforts-result-infections-intensive.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 13 May 2013 16:49:52 EST news287682565 In rooms of patients with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), the outside of the packages containing sterile items can become contaminated. Unused medical supplies are often thrown away to prevent the items from becoming pathways for transmission of drug-resistant microbes, and in the process this leads to increased healthcare costs. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital found that hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) is an effective way to sanitize the outside of the packages of these sterile supplies. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-decontamination-unused-medical-health-care.html Health Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:33:24 EST news284722397 With rates and deaths associated with Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) at historically high levels, many hospitals have taken extra steps to reduce these infections. New research finds that a dedicated daily cleaning crew who adequately clean and disinfect rooms contaminated by C. difficile using a standardized process can be more effective than other disinfection interventions. The study is published in the May issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), in a special topic issue focused on the role of the environment in infection prevention. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-dedicated-staff-shown-difficile-contamination.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:31:17 EST news284722113 Placement of copper objects in intensive care unit (ICU) hospital rooms reduced the number of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) in patients by more than half, according to a new study published in the May issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, in a special topic issue focused on the role of the environment in infection prevention. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-copper-surfaces-health-care-acquired-infections.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:27:18 EST news284722030 Patients who receive hemodialysis are at a significant risk of developing infections, a leading cause of hospitalization and death in this patient population. A new study highlights the need to improve antibiotic use in outpatient dialysis facilities as data shows nearly a third of antibiotic prescriptions are deemed inappropriate. The study is published in the April issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-antibiotic-prescriptions-dialysis-patients-inappropriate.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:16:47 EST news282312999 Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) continues to proliferate, driven largely by expansion of a strain of E. coli know as sequence type ST131. A new study points to hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTCF) as settings in which this antibiotic-resistant strain is increasingly found. The study is published in the April issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-antibiotic-resistant-strain-coli-older-adults.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:14:27 EST news282312860 While most infection control measures are focused on hospitals, a new study points to the need for more targeted interventions to prevent the spread of drug-resistant bugs in nursing homes as community-associated strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) are on the rise in these facilities. The study is published in the March issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-high-prevalence-drug-resistant-mrsa-nursing.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:27:30 EST news279811635 Flooding can cause clinical and economic damage to a healthcare facility, but reopening a facility after extensive flooding requires infection prevention and control preparedness plans to ensure a safe environment for patients and healthcare workers. In a study published in the February issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, clinical investigators report key findings and recommendations related to the closure and re-opening of hospitals impacted by black-water floods. The guidance builds on lessons learned from Thailand and the United States. The findings come as many flood-damaged healthcare facilities in New York and New Jersey look to reopen in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-preparedness-infection-strategies.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:40:59 EST news276964853 The impact of antibiotic misuse has far-reaching consequences in healthcare, including reduced efficacy of the drugs, increased prevalence of drug-resistant organisms, and increased risk of deadly infections. A new study featured in the February issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, found that many patients with Clostridium difficile infection (C. difficile) are prescribed unnecessary antibiotics, increasing their risk of recurrence of the deadly infection. The retrospective report shows that unnecessary antibiotics use is alarmingly common in this vulnerable patient population. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-unnecessary-antimicrobial-recurrent-infectious-diarrhea.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:40:22 EST news276964817 The prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can help reduce patient morbidity and mortality, but a common prevention effort for patients with hard to treat infections known as contact precautions, can have positive and negative impacts on patient care. A new report published in the January issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, found when patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria are isolated in the hospital, these contact precautions reduced the number of visits by healthcare workers and outside visitors, but also increased compliance with hand hygiene upon exit of patients' rooms. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-contact-precautions-shown-healthcare-workers.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:54:07 EST news274445616 As the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections continue to rise around the world, a hospital in Canada detected the presence of New Delhi Metallo-ß-lactamase-1-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (NDM1-Kp), a multidrug resistant bacteria that is resistant to carbapenems, one of the last lines of antibiotics. The retrospective report, featured in the January issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, analyzes risk factors and infection control strategies taken to prevent the spread of NDM1-Kp. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-foreign-multidrug-resistant-bacteria-toronto.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:52:41 EST news274445536 According to a new study published online today, most patients at risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) agree that healthcare workers should be reminded to wash their hands, but little more than half would feel comfortable asking their physicians to wash. The study is published in the December issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The study points to the need for patient empowerment to improve hand hygiene of healthcare workers. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-patients-shy-healthcare-workers.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:10:34 EST news271941025 In the December issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, guidelines have been proposed by epidemiologists from Beaumont Health System to reduce the risk of infection from contaminated gels. The recommendations are based on the authors' own experiences with an outbreak traced to contaminated ultrasound transmission gel. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-ultrasound-gel-infections-guidelines.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:42:55 EST news271939364 Hospital size matters when it comes to intensive care units (ICUs) adopting even the most routine prevention policies for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), according to a new study from researchers at Columbia University School of Nursing, published this month in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study found that large hospitals—those with more than 500 beds —had a 1.5 higher average rate of CAUTI than hospitals with 500 beds or less. Since larger hospitals, particularly teaching hospitals treat patients who are often sicker, the finding that their ICUs have higher incidences of CAUTI, while still a cause of concern, was not unanticipated. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-large-hospital-icus-catheter-associated-urinary.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:00:01 EST news270214760 Researchers from East Carolina University used a new technique of genotyping to identify the source of a hematology clinic outbreak of Mycobacterium mucogenicum, a gram-positive, acid-fast bacteria found in tap water. This is the first outbreak of M. mucogenicum in an ambulatory care setting; five other outbreaks have been reported in hospital settings since 1995. The study was published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-genotyping-source-clinic-infection-outbreak.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:31:41 EST news268655490 Vaccinations for flu, tetanus and other common vaccines are increasingly taking place in non-medical settings such as supermarkets and drug stores. This added responsibility for pharmacists increases the risk of needlestick injuries (NSIs), puncture wounds often suffered while preparing or after use of a needle. NSIs can transmit bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis C and HIV, from an infected patient to the person administering the vaccine. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-incidence-needlestick-injuries-staff-national.html Health Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:07:36 EST news268654051 The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have each released new tools and information to help track deadly healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in nursing homes and other long-term care settings. Potentially deadly HAIs strike volumes of nursing home residents each year, with best estimates suggesting that up to 2.8 million infections can occur in this population annually. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-tools-nursing-homes-track-deadly.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:36:07 EST news267197760 New research demonstrates that daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces in isolation rooms of patients with Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) significantly reduces the rate of the pathogens on the hands of healthcare personnel. The findings underscore the importance of environmental cleaning for reducing the spread of difficult to treat infections. The study is published in the October issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-daily-disinfection-isolation-rooms-contamination.html Health Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:55:35 EST news266759725 Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) doubled at academic medical centers in the U.S. between 2003 and 2008, according to a report published in the August issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-mrsa-cases-academic-hospitals-years.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:33:41 EST news262538908 A small cluster of unusual illnesses at a Colorado children's hospital prompted an investigation that swiftly identified alcohol prep pads contaminated with Bacillus cereus bacteria, according to a report in the July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The investigation ultimately led to an international recall of the contaminated products. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-illnesses-colorado-children-hospital-prompts.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:15:09 EST news258722038 Hospitalization rates in New York City for patients with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a potentially deadly bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotic treatment, more than tripled between 1997 and 2006, according to a report published in the July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-community-acquired-mrsa-cases-york-city.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:13:32 EST news258721994 Drug dispensing robots designed to quickly prepare intravenous medications in a sterile environment can harbor dangerous bacteria, according to a report in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-bacterial-contamination-pharmacy-robots.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:20:23 EST news252757209 Patients whose symptoms of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) start outside of the hospital setting have a higher risk of colectomy due to severe infection, according to a large multicenter study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-community-onset-clostridium-difficile-linked-higher.html Surgery Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:18:52 EST news252757058 Infection preventionists and healthcare epidemiologists play key roles in promoting effective antimicrobial stewardship in collaboration with other health professionals, according to a joint position paper published today by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) in their respective peer-review journals, the American Journal of Infection Control and Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-infection-groups-outline-antibiotics.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:44:51 EST news251376282 Curbing unnecessary use of antibiotics is our best defense against the spread of drug-resistant infections. A new study suggests another benefit to antimicrobial stewardship: a potential cost savings of millions of dollars now wasted on therapies that don't help patients. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-antibiotic-millions.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:14:09 EST news251007206 (Medical Xpress) -- The use of antimicrobial impregnated scrubs combined with good hand hygiene is effective in reducing the burden of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) on health care workers’ apparel and may potentially play a role in decreasing the risk of MRSA transmission to patients, according to a new study from Virginia Commonwealth University researchers. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-antimicrobial-bacterial-burden-health-worker.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:40:01 EST news246177029