Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – October 1, 2008
October 1, 2008
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The challenge of change: Infection preventionists see the pros and cons of new national paradigm
Success has raised the bar. No sooner did infection preventionists (IPs) begin demonstrating that it was actually possible to drive certain infection rates down to a vanishing point when federal payers essentially said, "Good, keep them at zero because we are not paying for them." -
Infection preventionists poised to lead the way
If infection preventionists can work their way out of the current wilderness of change, there is some feeling they may be poised for a leadership role in a health care system becoming painfully aware of the power of prevention. -
Iconoclast or bridge builder? Pronovost Q&A
Editor's note: Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD is a professor in the departments of anesthesiology and critical care, surgery, and health policy and management at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. -
Another HCV outbreak rocks ambulatory care
In a finding that will increase national calls for oversight of ambulatory care settings, seven patients reportedly acquired hepatitis C infection while undergoing stress tests at a cardiology practice in Larinburgh, NC. -
IP oversight required: If NV leads will nation follow?
Proposed state laws in Nevada in the wake of a highly-publicized hepatitis C outbreak in Las Vegas include proposals to hire infection preventionists (IPs) as consultants to oversee practice in freestanding clinics. -
A modest proposal? Joint Commission flu campaign
Joint Commission Resources (JCR) has launched a "Flu Vaccination Challenge" this season targeting health care workers, but organizers only underscored the current woeful situation in setting the immunization goal. -
IPs should be wary of measles outbreaks
Increasing the possibility of hospital outbreaks via undiagnosed cases, measles infection has hit the United States at epidemic levels this year. More measles cases were reported in the first seven months of 2008 than during the same period in any year since 1996, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.