CDC Warns of New Wave of Antibiotic-Resistant Germs in U.S.
These germs include those that cannot be killed by all or most antibiotics, are not common to a geographic area or the U.S., or have specific genes that enable them to spread their resistance to other germs, according to a CDC release.
Paper Highlights Link Between Infection Control and Antibiotic Stewardship
Healthcare facilities must ensure that infection prevention and control and antibiotic stewardship programs work together, according to a joint position paper released last week by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, and the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists.
Lawsuit Alleges Sewage Leak in DC Hospital’s OR Led to Patient Death
The lawsuit was filed by the husband of Carol Leonard, who died at the age of 70 from a postoperative infection sustained during what was supposed to be a routine procedure.
Researchers Discover New Class of Antibiotics
Published in Nature this week, the study identified two compounds called synthetic retinoids that can help the body fight against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
Study: Usability of EHRs May Contribute to Patient Harm
Researchers from the National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare in Washington, D.C., examined reports from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority database collected from 2013 to 2016. The study analyzed 1.7 million reports of possible patient harm that explicitly named an EHR vendor or product.
CDC Warns of Second Wave of Flu Cases
The devastating flu season has started to wane, but the CDC’s weekly surveillance report found that the previously prevalent A-strain H3N2 flu virus is now less reported than B viruses.
Study: Treating Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Costs $2 Billion Annually
A new study finds that in addition to being a deadly killer of patients, antibiotic-resistant infections are costing U.S. hospitals more than $2 billion each year.
CMS Cites Baltimore Hospital for Abandoning Patient in January
A Baltimore hospital was cited by CMS in a report released this week for its actions in removing a mentally ill patient from its emergency room (ER) on a cold January night and leaving her at a bus stop wearing just a hospital gown.
Study Highlights Impact of Nonventilator Hospital-acquired Pneumonia on Patient Safety
Among the most common hospital-acquired infections, NV-HAP leads to significant increases in cost, length of stay, and mortality.
Situational Awareness is an Important Part of High Reliability
High-reliability industries and organizations are very familiar with the term situational awareness (SA). SA is a foundational concept, and its importance in operational decision-making at the front line is recognized and categorically supported by leadership. In healthcare, save for pockets of very safe and reliable care delivery, this is generally not the case.