Editor's Note In this study of flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes, none demonstrated clinically relevant contamination at hang times ranging from 7 to 555 days, and most remained uncontaminated up to 56 days after reprocessing. The data suggest that properly cleaned and disinfected GI endoscopes could be stored safely for longer…

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Editor's Note In this meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis, triclosan-coated sutures were shown to be effective in preventing surgical site infections (SSIs). A total of 21 randomized clinical trials, involving 6,462 patients, were included. The meta-analysis found a risk of 138 SSIs per 1,000 procedures, and the use of triclosan-coated…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 17 issued a Safety Communication to inform Pentax ED-3490TK video duodenoscope users of updated recommendations to help prevent the spread of infection associated with the use of these devices. Since a February 19, 2016, Safety Communication to inform users about…

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Reducing immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS) can be challenging, but adhering to standards is essential not only for patient safety, but also for successful accreditation surveys. “Accrediting organizations are hitting hard on all of sterilization, but especially IUSS,” says Rose Seavey, MBA, BA, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CSPDT, president and CEO…

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Editor's Note A University of Alberta engineering professor and colleagues have invented a surgical mask that traps and kills viruses by applying a salt formulation to the mask’s filter fibers, the January 5 ScienceDaily reports. When an aerosol droplet carrying a virus contacts the treated fibers, the droplet absorbs the…

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Editor's Note Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates have declined significantly over 8 years with the Veterans Affairs MRSA Prevention Initiative, this study finds. Between 2007 and 2015, MRSA HAI rates fell: 87% in ICUs 80.1% in non-ICUs 80.9% in spinal cord injury units 49.4% in long-term care.…

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Editor's Note Fresh white coats should be used by nurses for every shift to minimize the risk of infection, and coats should be made of fabric types that minimize microbial contamination, finds this study. The microbial load of nurses’ white coats made of a polyester cotton blend or polyester fabric…

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Editor's Note Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and fast track surgery protocols were associated with a significant reduction in postoperative lung, urinary tract, and surgical site infections, compared with conventional protocols in this study. ERAS and fast track protocols also were linked to a significant decrease in hospital length of…

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Editor's Note A new blog from the Joint Commission on Infection Prevention & Control covers experiences, case studies, and news for infection preventionists. The latest blog post details the BoosterPak for High-Level Disinfection and Sterilization processes, which is applicable to hospitals, critical access hospitals, plus ambulatory and office-based surgery settings.…

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Surgical site infections (SSIs) not only harm patients, but also can squeeze a hospital’s bottom line through increased costs and reduced reimbursement. Patients undergoing colorectal surgery are particularly at risk for SSIs, according to data from the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), but an effective multidisciplinary team and an evidence-based…

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