Tag: Infection Prevention

FDA clears first duodenoscope with disposable end cap

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 20 cleared the first duodenoscope with a disposable end cap, which will improve access for cleaning and reprocessing. The new features of the Pentax ED34-i10T duodenoscope include a single-use detachable and disposable distal cap, simpler user interface, improved ergonomics, improved…

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By: Judy Mathias
September 21, 2017
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Risk assessment system from private industry identifies SSI risks in ASCs

Editor's Note A risk-assessment system designed to avoid harm in private industry (ie, Socio-Technical Probabilistic Risk Assessment [ST-PRA]), was used by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)-funded researchers to identify practices likely to pose infection risks in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). The ST-PRA ranks failure points (events) according to…

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By: Judy Mathias
September 20, 2017
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Can HAI data be useful in differentiating US hospitals?

Editor's Note There are enough healthcare-associated infection (HAI) data reported on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare website to meet minimal criteria for useful hospital comparisons in many geographic areas; however, it varies by type of HAI, this study finds. The analysis included data from 4,561…

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By: Judy Mathias
September 18, 2017
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Efficacy of antimicrobial-impregnated scrubs in preventing healthcare provider contamination

Editor's Note Antimicrobial-impregnated scrub clothes are not effective at reducing healthcare provider contamination, this study finds. Cultures were obtained from each of 40 ICU nurses, the healthcare environment, and patients during each shift. Nurses wore standard cotton-polyester surgical scrubs (control), scrubs that contained a complex element compound with a silver-alloy…

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By: Judy Mathias
September 14, 2017
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Infection control practices linked to lower SSI rates

Editor's Note Infection control practices that focus on perioperative patient skin and wound hygiene and transparent display of surgical site infection (SSI) data, not OR attire policies, were associated with lower SSI rates in this multi-center study. A total of 20 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program…

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By: Judy Mathias
September 14, 2017
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FDA issues alert for alcohol pads, benzalkonium chloride antiseptic towelettes by Foshan Flying Medical Products

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 1 issued a Safety Alert notifying healthcare professionals and patients not to use alcohol pads or benzalkonium chloride antiseptic towelettes made by Foshan Flying Medical Products Co Ltd (China) because of lack of sterility and other quality issues. Use of…

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By: Judy Mathias
September 6, 2017
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FDA recommends use of thermal regulating systems during surgery

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 30 issued a Safety Alert reminding healthcare providers that using thermal regulating systems, including forced air systems, during surgical procedures has been shown to result in less bleeding, faster recovery times, and decreased risk of infections for patients. The FDA…

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By: Judy Mathias
September 1, 2017
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VA notifies 526 patients at risk from improperly cleaned scopes

Editor's Note The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in Buffalo, New York, is notifying 526 patients that they may be at risk of infection from improperly cleaned endoscopes, the August 16 Buffalo News reports. A recent hospital review of endoscope disinfection processes found that steps in the manufacturer’s instructions may not…

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By: Judy Mathias
August 21, 2017
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Effect of antibiotic duration on colorectal SSIs

Editor's Note When colorectal surgical patients, who were given a single dose of antibiotic before surgery and re-dosing if the procedure lasted longer, were compared to patients given additional antibiotics for 24 hours postoperatively, infection rates were identical, this study finds. A total of 965 patients were included in this…

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By: Judy Mathias
August 14, 2017
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AAHC releases toolkit on endoscope reprocessing

Editor's Note The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care on July 25 released a new toolkit that focuses on flexible endoscope reprocessing failures. The toolkit is designed to help eliminate failures or lapses in reprocessing through detailed guidelines and checklists in order to mitigate the risk of patient infections. The…

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By: Judy Mathias
August 1, 2017
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