Category: Healthcare-associated infections

New Recommendations for Use of 15-Valent and 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugant Vaccine, 2022

What is already known about this topic? Currently, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) are recommended for U.S. adults. Recommendations vary by age and risk groups. What is added by this report? On October 20, 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended 15-valent PCV (PCV15) or […]

Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests

It’s time to order you free COVID-19 tests.  Key things to remember is: If you are symptomatic, and your rapid test is negative you should follow it up with a PCR test. Rapid tests have a harder time picking up Omicron. When in doubt get advice from your physician. Get vaccinated now don’t wait until […]

Vestex Scrubs might be able to protect you from taking COVID-19 home

FDA currently reviewing the ability of VESTEX® to reduce COVID-19. While the FDA has not yet reviewed the ability of products protected by VESTEX® to reduce COVID-19, preliminary research has documented results equal to or better than the reduction of MRSA. This research is being assessed analytically and VESTEX® does intend to seek FDA clearance for specific claims […]

Checklists for Infection Preventionists Working in ORs

New infection preventionists can use this checklist to perform IP rounds in the surgical suite, decontamination areas, and sterile processing area. Preventing surgical site infections has long been the goal of hospitals across the United States. Important components for preventing SSIs are: Implementation of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2017 updated […]

This Way to the OR, Infection Preventionists

Many infection preventionists trust that everyone working in the operating room knows what they are doing and many times shy away from going into the OR. That’s a mistake. In fall 2016, I was on my way to work at 8 AM on a Monday when my cell phone rang. It was the surgical department […]

Protect Nursing Home Residents by Improving Antibiotic Stewardship in Nursing Homes

Author: Nimalie Stone, MD Medical Epidemiologist, CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion Improving the use of antibiotics in healthcare is critical to protect patients and reduce the threat of antibiotic resistance. In nursing homes, antibiotics are frequently prescribed medications; as many as 70% of residents receive antibiotics over the course of a year. However, a

The Role of the Clinical Environment of Care in Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections

Guest Author: J. Hudson Garrett Jr., PhD, MSN, MPH, FNP, PLNC, CSRN, CHESP, VA-BC, FACDONA Industry Liaison, Board of Directors Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE), A Personal Membership Group of the American Hospital Association Today, I’m here at CDC with the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) to talk with CDC about critical issues