Tag

Infection Control

All articles tagged with #infection control

health26 days ago•2 min saved

Tennessee grapples with surge of drug-resistant Candida auris tied to hospital care

Tennessee is seeing a rise in Candida auris with eight active screening cases and forty clinical cases this year. The drug-resistant fungus primarily affects seriously ill patients in hospitals or post-hospital settings, and some infections are linked to international hospital stays. Health officials are monitoring the situation and providing infection-control guidance, with emphasis on frequent hand-washing to curb spread as authorities work to contain the surge.

via WTVC|

#candida-auris #health #hospitals

health2 months ago•1 min saved

Legionella positive in Atlanta VA patient prompts cleaning and monitoring

An immunocompromised patient at the Atlanta VA Health Care System died after testing positive for Legionella. The facility sampled the patient’s room and a nearby ice machine; routine water-system testing on the seventh floor had been negative for two years. Other patients were relocated, the area disinfected, and investigators consulted federal health agencies. There are no active Legionella cases reported at the facility.

via WSB-TV|

#health #infection-control #legionella

health2 months ago•3 min saved

Hidden Germs: Laundry Could Help Norovirus Spread at Home

California is seeing rising norovirus activity, with a newly detected subvariant (GII.17) possibly fueling the trend. The virus spreads via the fecal-oral route and can be transmitted through damp laundry in the home. Health experts urge separating the clothes of the sick, washing germy loads with bleach, drying on high heat until completely dry, sanitizing hampers, and washing hands after handling laundry to reduce household spread, noting underwear and children's clothing carry the most germs.

via abc7.com|

#gii17 #health #household-transmission

health2 months ago•1 min saved

Kansas hospitals tighten visitor rules amid respiratory illness surge in Salina and Abilene

Salina Regional Health Center and Memorial Hospital in Abilene, KS, have enacted temporary visitor guidelines due to a regional rise in influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, effective January 16 until further notice. Ill visitors or symptoms; children under 12 should not visit inpatients; those with compromised immune systems should visit only if absolutely necessary; masks are available; hand hygiene required; compassionate exceptions considered case-by-case to protect patients, staff and the community.

via Salina Post|

#covid-19 #health #infection-control

health3 months ago•4 min saved

Rising Threat of Drug-Resistant Superbug Fungus in U.S. Healthcare Facilities

Experts warn about Candida auris, a multi-drug resistant fungus detected in Connecticut, which poses a significant threat in healthcare settings due to its resistance to treatment, ability to spread rapidly, and difficulty in detection, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

via Hartford Courant|

#candida-auris #connecticut #health

health4 months ago•4 min saved

Scientists Warn of Growing Drug Resistance in Common Infections

The article warns that common fungal infections like thrush are increasingly resistant to antifungal drugs due to factors like misuse, environmental changes, and Candida's adaptability, making treatment more challenging and highlighting the importance of good hygiene and microbiome health to prevent resistant strains.

via ScienceAlert|

#antifungal-resistance #candida #health

health5 months ago•2 min saved

Florida Doctor's Office Patients Contract Hepatitis C

A Florida doctor, Lily J. Voepel, faces disciplinary action after her office was found to have unsafe practices that led to at least three patients contracting hepatitis C, resulting in a temporary license suspension, fines, and mandatory training to improve infection control.

via Gizmodo|

#florida #health #health-department

health6 months ago•4 min saved

New COVID Variant Sparks U.S. Case Surge with Unique Traits

The Stratus COVID-19 variant, a hybrid of Omicron strains, is currently the dominant and slightly more infectious variant in the U.S., causing a rise in cases with symptoms similar to previous variants. Vaccination, mask-wearing, and good hygiene remain key to protection, and current vaccines are expected to be effective against it.

via AOL.com|

#covid-19 #health #infection-control

health8 months ago•7 min saved

Hepatitis B Transmission Insights from the Field

A hepatitis B outbreak in a North Carolina nursing facility was linked to shared glucometers used during assisted blood glucose monitoring, highlighting the risks of equipment sharing and emphasizing the importance of dedicated devices and routine vaccination for residents with diabetes to prevent HBV transmission.

via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)|

#blood-glucose-monitoring #health #hepatitis-b

health8 months ago•2 min saved

Study Finds Nearly Half of Hospital Toilet Users Skip Handwashing

A study using sensors in hospital bathrooms revealed that nearly 44% of people do not wash their hands after flushing, highlighting the need for more effective behavioral strategies to improve hygiene and prevent infection spread in healthcare settings.

via Gizmodo|

#handwashing #health #hospital-hygiene

health1 year ago•3 min saved

Shigellosis Outbreak Hits Milwaukee School

A case of Shigellosis, a contagious bacterial infection causing diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain, has been confirmed at La Escuela Fratney Elementary School in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Public Schools district is working with the Milwaukee Public Health Department to manage the situation, emphasizing hand washing and deep cleaning to prevent further spread. Parents and staff have been informed, and guidelines have been provided to ensure safety and health precautions are followed.

via WISN Milwaukee|

#elementary-school #health #infection-control

health1 year ago•1 min saved

Shigella Outbreak Reported at Fratney Elementary

A case of shigellosis, a bacterial infection, has been reported at La Escuela Fratney Elementary School in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Public Schools and the City of Milwaukee Health Department are collaborating to manage the situation, ensuring students and staff follow hygiene protocols to prevent further spread. Families have been informed, and the school is implementing enhanced cleaning measures. Shigellosis is contagious and can spread through contaminated food, water, or contact with fecal material, with symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain.

via FOX 6 Milwaukee|

#elementary-school #health #infection-control

health2 years ago•2 min saved

"The Lid Debate: New Study Debunks Myth of Containing Viral Spray During Toilet Flush"

A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that flushing the toilet with the lid down does not prevent the spread of small germs, as microscopic viral particles were found all over the restroom regardless of the lid position. While closing the lid did alter the trajectory of germs, the best way to reduce spread is by disinfecting the toilet, water, and nearby surfaces. Germs can linger for about 30 minutes after flushing, so it's advised to keep personal items away from the bathroom and avoid using your phone in there.

via New York Post |

#bathroom #germs #health

health2 years ago•3 min saved

"Healthcare Measures: Effective Strategies in Preventing COVID-19 Spread"

A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests that infection-control measures such as ventilation standards, COVID-19 testing, PPE use, and universal wearing of respirators effectively prevented most SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in a California healthcare system from 2020 to 2022. The study analyzed viral genomic and social network data, finding that most virus spread occurred outside the healthcare setting, particularly in shared spaces, and that healthcare workers were no more likely to acquire the virus in the hospital system, even during the peak of the Omicron wave. The authors recommend expanding mitigation measures, including enhancing ventilation and air exchanges, and supporting single occupancy rooms in future respiratory virus pandemics.

via University of Minnesota Twin Cities|

#covid-19 #health #healthcare-system

health2 years ago•7 min saved

"Concerns Rise as CDC Considers Loosening Infection Controls Amidst Global Pneumonia Outbreak"

The Healthcare Infection Control Advisory Committee (HICPAC) has faced criticism for its draft guidelines that weaken infection prevention precautions, including suggesting that surgical masks are equivalent to N95s in protectiveness. Experts argue that these changes prioritize reducing liability for hospitals over protecting healthcare workers and patients. The committee has also been criticized for its lack of transparency, narrow membership, and failure to consider public input. Concerns have been raised about the potential for nosocomial Covid-19 infections and the toll of long Covid. Critics are urging the CDC to reject the draft guidelines and develop new ones that prioritize the safety of healthcare workers and the public. The CDC is expected to make a decision next month.

via Forbes|

#cdc #criticism #guidelines