Diagnostic Stewardship for Healthcare-Associated Infections

Diagnostic Stewardship for Healthcare-Associated Infections

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and unnecessary cost. The financial stakes of HAIs for hospitals were underscored in 2008 when the Centers... read more

Prevention of Hospital Infections by Intervention and Training (PROHIBIT)

Prevention of Hospital Infections by Intervention and Training (PROHIBIT)

Results of a pan-European cluster-randomized multicentre study to reduce central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections. This study demonstrates that multimodal prevention strategies aiming at improving CVC insertion... read more

Robot aims to zap out ICU infections

Robot aims to zap out ICU infections

Hospital workers are constantly cleaning rooms to avoid Hospital Acquired Infections at Hunterdon Medical Center, but now a robot will be working to do the dirty work. In July, the hospital purchased a $100,000 Xenex... read more

Antiseptic baths to prevent infections deemed effective for long-term use

Antiseptic baths to prevent infections deemed effective for long-term use

Long-term use antiseptic soap in bathing critically ill patients to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) did not cause high levels of resistance in bacteria on the patients' skin.... read more

Patient Safety Collaborative Impact on Hospital-Acquired Harm

Patient Safety Collaborative Impact on Hospital-Acquired Harm

Improving patient safety often involves multifaceted interventions intended to change complex workflows. This prospective cohort study examined whether a collaborative improvement initiative across 33 pediatric hospitals... read more

Infection Prevention and Healthcare Associated Infections

Infection Prevention and Healthcare Associated Infections

It is difficult to overstate the importance of healthcare associated infections (HAI). Approximately 4% of patients who enter hospitals in the United States develop an infection related to their hospital care. Although... read more

Strategies for Optimizing Diagnostic Predictive Value of Clostridium difficile

Strategies for Optimizing Diagnostic Predictive Value of Clostridium difficile

Because nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) do not distinguish Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and asymptomatic C. difficile carriage, the diagnostic predictive value of NAATs is limited when used in patients with... read more

What a hospital bed could teach about patient safety

What a hospital bed could teach about patient safety

Most hospitalized patients spend the vast majority of their time in a hospital bed. Any body fluids such as blood, feces, urine, stomach contents, etc. that are secreted come in direct contact with that hospital bed.... read more

Lean six methodology can cut health care-linked infections

Lean six methodology can cut health care-linked infections

Application of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology can reduce the risk of health care-associated infections (HAI) among patients undergoing surgical procedures.... read more

Why Many Hospitals Are Banning Flowers and Balloons

Why Many Hospitals Are Banning Flowers and Balloons

Why more hospitals are banning flowers and stuffed animals: Healthcare providers are focused on reducing their rates of HAI (healthcare-acquired infection) and the risk of allergic reaction.... read more

Study Finds Two Ways to Reduce HAIs

Study Finds Two Ways to Reduce HAIs

The risk for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is reduced by conducting fewer patient transports and limiting urinary catheter use, according to a study conducted at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, New Jersey.... read more