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A new virulent strain of Clostridium difficile rapidly continues to emerge in both the United States and Canada, infectious disease physicians reported recently in Los Angeles at the annual meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
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In January 2005, a patient was diagnosed by Markowitz and colleagues at Aaron Diamond Research Center with primary HIV infection with 3-drug-class-resistant HIV-1 (3DCR HIV), who had sustained rapid depletion of CD4+ lymphocyte count and rapid clinical progression to AIDS.
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An impending visit by surveyors from the Joint Commission improved hand hygiene compliance rates, which remained higher than baseline even after the inspection, an epidemiologist reports.
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The Joint Commission has launched a new web-based patient safety initiative that continues its strong emphasis on infection control.
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A new patient safety center founded by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations will include an emphasis on infection control. Not surprisingly, improving hand hygiene was the most frequently cited problem area cited by ICPs in a poll posted shortly after the web site debuted.
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Low back pain is among the top three most common complaints seen in primary care ambulatory medicine. Affecting up to 90% of the population at some time in their lives, it is second only to upper respiratory tract infection as a symptom-related reason for primary care visits. Men and women are equally afflicted with low back pain, with a steadily increasing prevalence with age.
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Nesiritide, Scios' intravenous recombinant form of human B-type naturetic peptide, has been widely used for the treatment of congestive heart failure in hospitalized patients.
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The exuberant rainfall in the southwestern United States this year has led to the greening of the deserts, highlighted by spectacular displays of wildflowers. But it may not be just the plant life that has benefited. A number of human pathogens may find the conditions just right.
