Plant the Seeds of Change with Just-in-Time Coaching
By Lori Moore, MPH, BSN, RN, CPPS Hand hygiene has been recognized as one of the most important measures to reduce germs in healthcare facilities, and educating healthcare workers to the basic fundamentals has become a cornerstone of hand hygiene programs.1-2 While providing education and conveying the importance and need for hand hygiene is … Continued
Three Tips to Empower Teamwork Focused on Infection Prevention
By Sharon Ward-Fore Surface disinfection is key to containing viral outbreaks. Fundamentally, the concept and importance of surface disinfection hasn’t changed. However, the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on today’s world makes it imperative to change how the healthcare community conducts proper surface cleaning and disinfection. It starts with mindset – because healthcare and … Continued
‘Perfect Storm’ Increased Healthcare-Associated Infections During Pandemic
The recent research article, which was published by Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, examined national- and state-level standardized infection ratios (SIR) for each quarter in 2020 compared to each quarter in 2019. SIRs were determined for each HAI by dividing the number of reported infections by the number of predicted infections, calculated using 2015 national baseline data.
How to Use an Early Warning System for Sepsis in the Emergency Department
The recent research article, which was published by Critical Care Medicine, describes the results of a randomized, controlled quality improvement initiative conducted at The MetroHealth System in Cleveland. The article features data collected from 598 patients, with 285 patients in the intervention group and 313 in the standard care group.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 35 – Improving Infection Control in Vascular Access
On episode 35 of PSQH: The Podcast, epidemiologist Robert Garcia talks about the need to improve infection control in vascular access.
Preparing to Improve Infection Prevention After COVID-19
From infection prevention and control, to cleaning and disinfecting practices, to new and improved cleaning products, there’s a myriad of ways organizations will look to advance patient safety in a post-pandemic world.
AORN Updates Skin Antisepsis Guidelines: What This Means for Organizations
Facilities had relied on research prior to official guidelines, which makes the update to AORN’s response impactful. The AORN adds their voice to the World Health Organization, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, as well as the CDC and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
FDA Updates Recommendations on Reprocessing of Flexible Bronchoscopes
The FDA has issued new guidance on reprocessing flexible bronchoscopes that recommends using disposable versions of the device if there is increased risk of spreading infection or when reusable versions cannot be reprocessed.
Clean Hands, Clear Communication: How Nurse Leaders Ushered in Hand Hygiene Tech Tools
Initiating culture change that comes with new technology—even one as small as hand sanitizing—requires engagement and buy-in by nurse leaders, Cox says. Leaders need to be fully engaged in and believe in the project in order to fully support it. It also requires clear communication.
Infection Prevention: Looking to the Future While Tending to the Present
Devin Jopp, who was recently appointed as CEO of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)., has identified several crucial goals where APIC can help with current infection prevention challenges and build toward a better future for the industry.