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Most of the attention on catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) in the ICU focuses on central venous catheters (CVC), a bias that likely derives, in part, from the 2002 Centers for Disease Control guidelines which stipulate that arterial catheters (AC) have "low infection ratesrarely associated with bloodstream infections.
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Though they are the most common infectious complication in hospitals, urinary tract infections (UTIs) get no respect.
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Recall of a dozen lots of two Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines and suspension of production by a major manufacturer will result in a national shortage that could put children at risk and will certainly trouble physicians and parents in the short run, Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warns.
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Merck & Co. has initiated a voluntary recall in the United States for 10 lots of PedvaxHIB® [Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate)] and two lots of COMVAX® [Haemophilus b Conjugate (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate) and Hepatitis B (Recombinant) Vaccine].
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The Michigan Health & Hospital Association's Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality has created a "bladder bundle" of measures to prevent urinary tract infections. Some of the key recommendations for implementation of the bundle are summarized as follows:
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A recent controversial move by a federal health agency to shut down a highly successful infection prevention program because it appeared to be involved in human research rather than quality improvement has ominous implications for traditional infection control activities, a leading epidemiologist tells Hospital Infection Control.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente's Northern California Division of Research will formally investigate an unexplained but persistently reported skin condition known as Morgellons.
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This single-center, retrospective study examined ICU mortality and various risk factors among critically ill patients who developed bacteremia during their VAP episode.
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Use of specially trained palliative care teams in the ICU has increased in frequency in recent years. Consultation by these teams tends to occur very late in patients' length of stay. Few studies have been performed evaluating outcomes, such as length of stay.