Tag: Infection Prevention

Study: Rise in healthcare-associated infections during pandemic

Editor's Note In an analysis published on February 12 by the New England Journal of Medicine, findings indicate that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of healthcare-associated infections and other patient safety complications have been on the rise, Becker’s Hospital Review reports. According to the analysis authors, there…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
February 16, 2022
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Effectiveness of reprocessing ureteroscopes, other endoscopic devices

Each year, there are more studies raising concerns about infections associated with endoscopic procedures and the techniques used to clean and sterilize or high-level disinfect (HLD) endoscopic devices. In this article, in partnership with Boston Scientific, epidemiologist Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, president and CEO of Ofstead & Associates, St Paul,…

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By: Judith M. Mathias, MA, RN
February 16, 2022
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Acclimating to OR, sterile processing department cultures

The differences between sterile processing (SP) and OR tasks and department cultures are significant. However, they share a collective goal: both work toward the best outcome for every patient. Still, both departments often suffer from having unrealistic goals for each other. One example is that the OR may expect instruments…

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By: Angela Lewellyn, LPN, CRCST, CER, CHL
February 16, 2022
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Likelihood of acute COVID-19 in RT-PCR negative patients

Editor's Note This study by researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School finds that treatment for COVID-19 should be based on clinical judgment and not just testing. Between April and October 2020, the researchers looked at four groups: 40 patients who were RT-PCR confirmed positive 20 patients who repeatedly tested…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 14, 2022
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Splash risks, droplet dispersal during instrument reprocessing

Editor's Note This pilot project, by epidemiologist Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and colleagues finds that routine reprocessing activities generate substantial splashing and droplet dispersal, and that currently recommended items of personal protective equipment (PPE) do not adequately protect personnel from exposure. The researchers found that: Droplets were generated during every…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 14, 2022
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The Joint Commission begins surveying for COVID-19 vaccinations in 24 states

Editor's Note As of February 14, The Joint Commission began surveying to the COVID-19 vaccination requirements in the 24 states that were not previously subject to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination” interim final rule. Healthcare organizations in these 24 states must…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 14, 2022
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Study: Nearly a third of older adults developed new medical conditions after COVID-19

Editor's Note In this study, published by the British Medical Journal, 32% of individuals, 65 years and older, who were infected with COVID-19 developed at least one new medical condition in the months after the initial infection, the February 11 Becker’s Hospital Review reports. This 32% was 11% higher than…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
February 14, 2022
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Vaccination rates and new COVID-19 infections by US county

Editor's Note This study led by researchers at the University of Cincinnati, finds that areas with low vaccination rates experienced a more intense surge of new cases during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily driven by the Delta variant. In the analysis, COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people during…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 10, 2022
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Healthcare professionals can help combat vaccination hesitancy

  Editor's Note A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national survey analysis found that a recommendation from a healthcare provider may help increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, according to a February 8 report in JAMA. The survey, analyzed in the December 17, 2021, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, titled…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
February 10, 2022
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New inhaled vaccine delivers broad protection against COVID-19, variants

Editor's Note In this study, Canadian researchers at McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) confirm that their newly developed inhaled form of COVID-19 vaccine provides long-lasting protection against the original strain of SARS-Cov-2 and variants of concern. The researchers compared two types of adenovirus platforms for the vaccine. The adenoviruses serve as…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 10, 2022
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