September issue of AJIC includes special focus on influenza

The September 2012 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), now available online, includes a set of articles that focus on influenza preparedness, immunization, outbreaks, and surveillance.

Many U.S. schools are unprepared for another pandemic

Less than half of U.S. schools address pandemic preparedness in their school plan, and only 40 percent have updated their school plan since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, according to study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

CDC Alert: NHSN module for HCP influenza vaccination reporting available Sept. 14

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has alerted APIC that the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) module for reporting summary data on influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel will be available on September 14, 2012. Corresponding training materials, protocol, forms, and instructions will be available on the NHSN website on September 7, 2012.

Join the IIPW movement, October 14-20

For International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) 2012, APIC is asking everyone to Imagine a safer world through infection prevention. This vision of broad-scale engagement is the new theme for IIPW, which takes place October 14-20. 

C. diff is the subject of major USA Today article

APIC contributed to a major article in the USA Today written by Peter Eisler, which highlights the burden of C. difficile infection and its impact on patients. The article, “Far more could be done to stop the deadly bacteria C. diff,” points out that this infection is more prevalent than previous estimates, claiming the lives of twice as many people in the U.S. as automobile accidents.

APIC member’s story of becoming an infection preventionist featured on CDC blog

Rochester, NY APIC member Ann Marie Pettis, RN, BSN, CIC, shares her inspiring story, "The unexpected infection preventionist," on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) Safe Healthcare Blog. Pettis, who is director of Infection Prevention for the University of Rochester Medical Center and also serves as chair of APIC’s Communications Committee, provides a compelling first-person perspective of her career path and the rewards of the profession in which she has been active for more than 30 years. 

August issue of AJIC includes special focus on pediatrics

Nurse staffing, burnout linked to hospital infections

Nurse burnout leads to higher healthcare-associated infection rates (HAIs) and costs hospitals millions of additional dollars annually, according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. The study authors estimate that if nurse burnout rates could be reduced to 10 percent from an average of 30 percent, Pennsylvania hospitals could prevent an estimated 4,160 infections annually with an associated savings of $41 million. 

APIC Minnesota targets Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

The Minnesota chapter of APIC collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a successful effort to tackle Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), a bacteria that cause serious healthcare-associated infections.

Sepsis outbreak at L.A. County dialysis center prompts public health investigation

Three patients with chronic kidney failure treated at a dialysis center in Los Angeles County, California contracted a bacterial infection in the blood (sepsis) caused by improper cleaning and disinfection of a reusable medical device called a dialyzer – an artificial kidney.

Infection preventionists reduce MRSA incidence among elderly patients by 82 percent over nearly three-year period

The introduction of daily bathing with disposable, germ-killing cloths resulted in a sustained, significant decrease in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incidence at a Canadian geriatric facility, according to a poster presented at the APIC 2012 Annual Conference in San Antonio.

NY prison inmates overuse and misuse antibiotic ointments, study says

The first study to report on the widespread misuse of topical antibiotics among inmates entering prisons from other correctional facilities found that, among inmates who reported having used topical antibiotics during the previous six months, 59 percent of male and 40 percent of female maximum-security prison inmates are using over-the-counter ointments, such as Bacitracin, on dry skin and lips,
to grease their hair, and for shaving.

Rehospitalizations after treatment for surgical site infections add $10-65 million to healthcare costs: new analysis

Preventing further complications in patients who develop infections after surgery to replace a knee or hip could save the U.S. healthcare system as much as $65 million annually, according to an analysis presented today at the APIC 2012 Annual Conference in San Antonio.

Kentucky infection preventionist receives APIC’s highest honor

Ruth Carrico, PhD, RN, FSHEA, CIC, of Louisville, Ky., has been named the 2012 recipient of the prestigious Carole DeMille Achievement Award by APIC. The award, which will be presented at APIC’s 39th Annual Educational Conference & International Meeting, June 4-6 in San Antonio, is given annually to an infection preventionist who best exemplifies the ideals of Carole DeMille, a pioneer in the field.

Medicare penalty appears to drive hospital infection prevention efforts

The 2008 decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to cease additional reimbursement to hospitals for certain healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has led to enhanced focus on infection prevention and changes in practice by front-line staff, according to a national survey of infection preventionists published in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. While most of the findings were positive, the survey did identify some unintended consequences of the policy.

APIC 2012 to feature prominent keynote speakers and sessions on critical topics

Distinguished keynote speakers and prominent experts will lead more than 90 educational sessions on critical infection prevention topics at the APIC 2012 Annual Conference, June 4-6 in San Antonio. APIC invites you to join the more than 2,000 professionals in infection prevention who will meet to listen, learn, and network. Register now.

Low levels of resistant bacteria found in Chicago-area ambulances

Treatment areas of ambulances fared well when tested for dangerous bacteria, according to a new study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

Infection control certification associated with lower MRSA infection rates

Hospitals whose infection prevention and control programs are led by a director who is board certified in infection prevention and control have significantly lower rates of MRSA bloodstream
infections than those that are not led by a certified professional, according to a new study published in the March issue of the
American Journal of Infection Control.

Labs, infection preventionists need to work together to facilitate rapid response to healthcare-associated infections, survey says

APIC and the American Society for Microbiology launch a joint educational program to strengthen collaboration, improve screening efforts, and maximize patent safety.

Statement by APIC about CDC Vital Signs report on Clostridium difficile

The CDC Vital Signs report shows that C. difficile is no longer just a hospital problem. According to the report, 75 percent of cases first appear in nursing homes or other places where care is delivered outside of hospitals. Prevention efforts must be coordinated across all care settings.