Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – August 1, 2008
August 1, 2008
View Issues
-
Nevada may tap infection preventionists in light of growing HCV clinic outbreak
The largest look-back investigation in medical history involving some 50,000 patients seen at two endoscopy clinics in Las Vegas has netted a growing total of hepatitis C infections; at least 11 unconfirmed HIV cases, lawsuits involving thousands of patients, multiple criminal proceedings, and a nonstop media blitz that only will increase the likelihood of more infection-related claims in other states, speakers recently said at the annual APIC conference in Denver. -
'Brand' new: APIC changes title of profession
The infection control professional title formerly infection control practitioner with its enduring abbreviation ICP, has given way to a new era and a new name: Infection Preventionist. -
CDC: Nurse anesthetists' practices varied at clinic
Two Epidemiologic Intelligence Service officers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention visited the Endoscopy Clinic of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas to investigate cases of hepatitis C and noted lapses in injection safety. -
Nevada board: Nurses have duty to report IC breaches
A nursing journal published by the state licensing board in Nevada recently urged nurses to report breaches in infection control and other egregious acts in light of the hepatitis C outbreak in Las Vegas linked to improper injection practices. The following is an excerpt from the article, written by Deborah Scott, MSN, RN, APN. -
HIV testing in ED nets hidden infections
With the commemoration June 27 of National HIV Testing Day came the disturbing news that some 250,000 people in the United States are completely unaware they are carrying the AIDS virus in their bloodstreams. -
Abstract & Commentary: MRSA screening: Does it work?
The utility of surveillance screening for MRSA on hospital admission remains controversial. Three recently published clinical trials attempt to assess the role of MRSA surveillance. -
With long hours, staff woes nurses fear needlesticks
Needlesticks a problem some may have thought solved by needle safety devices remains a top concern among nurses. -
Influenza-related deaths fell 83 kids last season
In a flu season that saw everything from mismatched vaccine to emergence of antiviral resistance, we add this grim footnote: 83 children died. -
Free patient video on hand washing
With 100,000 infected patients a year leaving hospitals under a sheet, we are way past the day when cultural barriers and awkwardness gave patients pause about reminding health care workers to wash their hands. Indeed, patients and their advocates must remind caregivers to wash their hands with an irritating consistency. -
Journal Review: C. diff a bad bug even at endemic levels
Even in a nonoutbreak settings, Clostridium difficileassociated disease (CDAD) had a statistically significant negative impact on patient illness and death, and the impact of CDAD persisted beyond hospital discharge, researchers found.