Low influenza vaccination rates among nursing home employees put residents at risk, study finds

Influenza is associated with as many as 7,300 deaths annually in nursing home residents, but the vaccination rate for nursing home staff is only 54 percent, according to a study in the February issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Infections Increase Death Risk by 35% for ICU Patients, Study Finds

Elderly patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are about 35 percent more likely to die within five years of leaving the hospital if they develop an infection during their stay, a new study finds. Preventing two of the most common healthcare-associated infections – bloodstream infections caused by central lines and pneumonia caused by ventilators – can increase the odds that these patients survive and reduce the cost of their care by more than $150,000, according to a study published in the January 2015 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

Study: Lapses in infection control associated with spread of severe respiratory virus MERS

Little is known about the often fatal virus known as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but researchers have identified gaps in infection control as a major culprit in all eleven published cases involving healthcare-associated transmission of the virus. 

Case study: Nebraska Ebola unit details waste removal

The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, located at the Nebraska Medical Center, shares best practices for Ebola waste removal, in a commentary published in in the December issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

National Influenza Vaccination Week

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlights the importance of getting an influenza vaccination every year. Seasonal influenza, often referred to simply as “the flu,” causes approximately 150,000 hospital admissions and 24,000 deaths annually in the United States. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

APIC collaborates with Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality on Ebola PPE web training

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality have collaborated to create an interactive, web-based, educational training program focusing on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use for healthcare personnel caring for patients with Ebola.

CDC Ebola resources

Statement on Ebola

Statement attributable to Katrina Crist, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, APIC

APIC teaches the ABC’s of antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance, responsible for more than 23,000 deaths per year in the U.S., is the theme of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), October 19-25.

‘Deadly diarrhea’ rates nearly doubled in 10 years: study

Infections with the intestinal superbug C. difficile nearly doubled from 2001 to 2010 in U.S. hospitals without noticeable improvement in patient mortality rates or hospital lengths of stay, according to a study of 2.2 million C. difficile infection (CDI) cases published in the October issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Increase in enterovirus D68 pediatric cases reported in Midwest

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that hospitals in Missouri and Illinois are seeing an increased number of children with the severe respiratory illness enterovirus D68. Other states are also investigating clusters of children with severe respiratory symptoms that may be caused by enterovirus D68.

New paper calls for more infection control surveillance, standardization in the emergency department

When researchers searched the literature to determine adherence rates for various infection prevention protocols in the emergency department (ED), they discovered both a dearth of studies reporting ED practices and a lack of standardization that rendered some studies incomparable, according to a literature review published in the September issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Fist bumping beats germ-spreading handshake, study reports

“Fist bumping” transmits significantly fewer bacteria than either handshaking or high-fiving, while still addressing the cultural expectation of hand-to-hand contact between patients and clinicians, according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Recreational water illnesses

Summer is here, so now is the time to get out and enjoy the weather and get into the water. But don’t let all that beautiful blue water fool you; it can be contaminated with many germs that can cause recreational water illnesses (RWI). The July 2014 consumer alert focuses on RWI and how to stay safe from infection while lounging at the pool or on the beach. 

Study finds low hand hygiene compliance rates during anesthesia administration

Anesthesia providers are missing opportunities to clean their hands during surgical procedures, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

New patient backgrounder on Hepatitis A

Traveling this summer? Pack more than just your clothes—Pack a vaccination!! 

This month's consumer alert focuses on Hepatitis A, a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. It is usually a mild illness, but in some instances, it can cause severe liver damage. A person can get Hepatitis A by ingesting food or drink contaminated with fecal matter, or by coming in contact with an object that was contaminated with feces (stool) from a person who has Hepatitis A. 

This month's consumer alert was developed by APIC Communications Committee member, Cindy Kohan, MT(ASCP), MS, CIC.

Read the article to learn more. 

Hospital Infection Control and Prevention coverage of APIC 2014

The July issue of Hospital Infection Control and Prevention features news from APIC 2014 in Anaheim. APIC members are able to read the entire issue, courtesy of HIC.

Chief Medical Officer from Wisconsin awarded APIC’s Healthcare Administrator Award

Mark Kehrberg, MD, MS, Chief Medical Officer of Ministry Health Care and Affinity Health System in Menasha, Wisconsin, has been named the 2014 recipient of the Healthcare Administrator Award, presented by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

APIC honors its 2014 Heroes of Infection Prevention

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) announced six recipients of the Heroes of Infection Prevention Award, which honors infection preventionists who have successfully reduced infection, raised awareness, and improved the health and well-being of patients, healthcare workers, and the public.

Virginia infection preventionist awarded highest honor for her dedication and contribution to the profession

Judith English, PhD, RN, CIC, of Falls Church, Virginia, will be honored with the prestigious 2014 Carole DeMille Achievement Award by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).