Infection Prevention At some point in our lives, most of us have dropped food on the ground, quickly picked it up, and ate it – the classic “five-second rule.” Should surgical teams apply the same “rule” when an instrument hits the floor in the OR? Most healthcare providers likely would think not,…
A recent study by researchers at Bon Secours Tuckahoe Orthopedics of Richmond, Va., examined whether the personal cloth scrub caps that some surgeons like to wear in the OR could put patients at greater risk of surgical site infections. The study, published in the journal Patient Safety in Surgery, examined the…
A study by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) found that heat generated by alternating magnetic fields (AMF) helps common antibiotics work better against prosthetic joint infections. The study, published in Scientific Reports and promoted by UTSW last week, demonstrated the efficacy of AMF in eradicating bacteria-protecting biofilm from the surface…
CBS affiliate KMOV-TV broadcast an investigation last week that reported concerning conditions about the state of surgical instruments at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. The TV station said it received tips from anonymous whistleblowers who “are terrified of losing their jobs but felt compelled to speak out” about “potentially contaminated…
A global group of experts in medicine, public health, law, industrial hygiene, and other disciplines issued an open letter last Wednesday to top officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) that calls for the “universal use of respirators in health care.” The signatories expressed “deep concern — and with sincere hope…
Respiratory illnesses are currently prevalent in many areas of the country. Yesterday, one health system decided to take action to protect its patients and staff. Acknowledging that COVID-19, RSV and flu are on the rise in its area, Duke Health Hospitals and Clinics yesterday updated its visitor guidelines for all…
On Dec. 23, Solventum completed its acquisition of Acera Surgical, a bioscience company that developed and commercialized fully engineered materials for regenerative wound care. Solventum, which had announced a definitive agreement to acquire Acera in November, is paying $725 million in cash plus up to $125 million in contingent cash…
Editor's Note Seasonal influenza activity is increasing, with the largest increases reported among children and young adults and in the northeastern and mountain west areas of the country. Nationally, the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza, and the percentage of outpatient visits for respiratory illness and emergency department…
Editor's Note A new collaborative initiative called the Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG) has been created by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). It will address infection prevention priorities of national importance, according to a December…
