Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – March 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
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Flu Vaccine Efficacy Poor as H3N2 Outbreak Surges
With the nation reeling from an historically bad influenza outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing the public for a dismal efficacy estimate for the 2017-18 vaccine against the predominant H3N2 A flu strain.
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A Call to Action to Prevent Non-vent Pneumonia
What if there were a routine addition to patient care that could save some 10,000 lives annually? An increasing body of research says there is.
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APIC-SHEA Forming Formidable Partnership
The two major infection control associations in the United States are forging a forward-thinking partnership. It includes several major initiatives that will be enacted this year, with efforts underway to bring in patient and consumer advocates and collaborate in presentations and published papers.
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Mind the Gap: SHEA Guidance on Ending Isolation
While there is a dearth of data to make completely informed decisions on aspects of this issue, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has issued a guidance document that hospitals can use as a framework for making policy.
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Joint Commission Dings Hand Hygiene Lapses
Infection preventionists should be aware that as part of its ongoing enforcement of patient safety goals, The Joint Commission will be assessing hand hygiene compliance during 2018 accreditation surveys.
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The High Cost of C. diff Infection and Relapse
Clostridium difficile claims a staggering toll in patient infections annually, and a new study estimates the cost of treatment is nearly $25,000 based on five days of hospitalization. Recurrent infections, not an uncommon phenomenon with C. diff, add an additional two days and another $10,500.
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Antivaccine Attitudes: The Truth Is Out There
In a fascinating study of the roots of psychological attitudes, researchers report that people who are against vaccinations are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories.