January issue of AJIC highlights use of personal protective equipment

The January 2013 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), now available online, includes articles that focus on various aspects of personal protective equipment and its relationship to infection prevention. To learn more and access the articles, view the Table of Contents.

Disinfection caps cut CLABSI cases in half

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) dropped by 52 percent when an alcohol-impregnated disinfection cap was used instead of standard scrubbing protocol, according to a new study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC). 

2013 NHSN HAI definition changes

Surveillance changes will be occurring in CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) beginning January 1, 2013. APIC members will find it helpful to review the CDC's NHSN training course which summarizes these changes. Particularly helpful sections include the summary of surveillance changes for 2013 and the table outlining examples of new key terms for 2013. Refer to the December 2012 issue of NHSN e-News for additional details on the changes. Questions can be directed to nhsn@cdc.gov.

December issue of AJIC highlights infection prevention and the environment

The December issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), now available online, includes articles that focus on various aspects of infection prevention and the environment of care. To learn more and access the articles, view the Table of Contents.

Resources for natural disasters

Typhoon Bopha’s devastation in the Philippines brings home the need for disaster preparedness. Review the list of APIC and CDC resources to ensure that your knowledge is up-to-date.

Stay informed on meningitis investigation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are coordinating a multistate investigation of meningitis among patients who received epidural steroid injections (medication injected into the spine). Follow updates by visiting the CDC website. Additionally, APIC member Dr. Marion Kainer testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on November 15 on the lessons learned from her team’s investigative efforts related to the nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak. 

National Influenza Vaccination Week

In honor of the National Influenza Vaccination Week, December 2-8, the December edition of the "Infection info for consumers" web page provides information on the importance of continuing influenza vaccination and serves as a reminder that there is still time to get vaccinated. 

Hospital cleaning protocol ineffective against A. Baumannii

Current hospital cleaning protocol may be inadequate to rid patient rooms of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii, according to a study in the December issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. A team of researchers from the University of Maryland collected 487 cultures from 32 hospital rooms occupied by just-discharged patients with a known history of MDR A. baumannii both before and after terminal cleaning of the rooms. Over half of the rooms positive for the A. baumannii bacteria prior to cleaning remained contaminated after terminal cleaning had occurred.

Antibiotics – Preserving them for the future

Antibiotics are life-saving drugs used to treat bacterial infections. Using antibiotics inappropriately contributes to the rise in antibiotic-resistant infections. In honor of Get Smart about Antibiotics Week, November 12-18, we are providing you with important information about the appropriate use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Learn why more than 25 healthcare organizations including APIC have come together to fight against antibiotic resistance.

November issue of AJIC highlights MDRO surveillance, hand hygiene delivery systems

The November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), now available online, includes major articles on identification, acquisition, and surveillance for MRSA and other multidrug-resistant organisms, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections.

Free vaccine programs for families of infants: 3 successful models

Free vaccine programs for families of infants and high-risk children are not widely used, but may offer an effective approach to protecting them from influenza and pertussis, according to an article published in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. A team led by researchers from Oregon Health and Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital explored the adoption of free vaccine programs in U.S. children’s hospitals by collecting and analyzing survey responses from 53 children’s hospitals across the country.

Scabies and lice – how nice!

Just the words scabies and lice can start to make you itch, but with a little knowledge on your side these common creepy crawlies can be treated and prevented.

Advocacy toolkit educates policymakers about IP’s role in patient safety

With the help of the APIC Greater St. Louis chapter, APIC has developed a state legislative advocacy toolkit to guide members in educating policymakers about how infection preventionists (IPs) improve healthcare in their communities. 

APIC launches consumer infection prevention campaign for long-term care, ambulatory care, and home care

Building on its major educational campaign Infection Prevention and You focusing on hospital infection prevention, APIC introduced educational materials for long-term care, home care, and ambulatory care to help patients stay safe from infections.

HHS, APIC, and SHEA honor 2012 Partnership in Prevention Award winner for achievements in eliminating healthcare-associated infections

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) recognized the Saint Raphael Campus of Yale New Haven Hospital with the 2012 Partnership in Prevention Award for achieving the greatest sustainable improvements towards eliminating healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).  Co-sponsored by HHS, APIC, and SHEA, this inaugural annual award is based on the concepts of the “National Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections: Roadmap to Elimination.”  

International Infection Prevention Week starts off strong and continues throughout the week

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), which takes place October 14-20, focuses public awareness on the power of infection prevention to save lives and the importance of involving consumers, healthcare professionals, organizations, and industry partners in prevention activities.  The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) will celebrate the annual observance with a number of planned activities and events. 

October issue of AJIC focuses on IIPW and surveillance for HAIs

The October issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), now available online, includes an article by APIC CEO Katrina Crist about International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), which takes place October 14-20. Additional articles in the issue focus on healthcare-associated infection surveillance, prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and numerous other topics. 

Study reveals wide discrepancy in surveillance for multidrug-resistant organisms among ICUs

Screening practices for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in intensive care units (ICUs) vary widely from hospital to hospital, according to a new study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of APIC.

Partners and Champions have joined the IIPW movement

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) welcomes the healthcare organizations and companies who have joined International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) as Partners and Champions. Their generous support is helping make IIPW a movement that will influence change and save lives. We invite others to support IIPW by learning and teaching others, collaborating on spreading the message of infection prevention, and sponsoring the week as a corporate Champion. IIPW takes place October 14-20.

National Healthcare Safety Network to update on Friday, September 14th