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Infection Control

CMS updates C. difficile infection control guidance

December 16, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently modified its infection control guidance concerning C. difficile. The update corrects certain information from a Nov. 30 update.

H1N1 prevention: beyond masks and handwash

John Nappi Jr. November 24, 2009

If a case of H1N1 ends up in your long-term care facility, there are actions you can take to prevent the flu from spreading throughout the building.

Workers, get your flu shots

Liza Berger September 01, 2009

New CMS letter offers revised infection control guidance for F-441

August 19, 2009

Information about implementing an infection prevention program, recognizing and containing outbreaks, and proper handling of linens are all part of revised guidance for F-tag 441.

UPDATED New CMS guidance consolidates five infection control F-tags into one

July 23, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released final changes regarding certain guidance governing infection control in long-term care facilities. The formal effective date for the revised guidance is Sept. 30, 2009.

Study to examine effects of hand sanitizer use on long-term care infection rates

July 15, 2009

The National Association Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care (NADONA) is teaming up with a skin care company to explore the impact of hand sanitizers on infection rates in long-term care environments.

MRSA thriving among one-quarter of nursing home residents, study results show

June 08, 2009

Nearly one in every four nursing home residents has been colonized by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to a recently published report from Queen's University Belfast.

Lethal MRSA-related pneumonia cases growing, new study finds

May 21, 2009

Instances of deadly pneumonia associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection are on the rise. While the majority of cases still occur in nursing homes and hospitals, the super bug now appears to be thriving in the community at large, according to new reports.

WHO issues guidelines on hand hygiene for healthcare workers

May 08, 2009

The World Health Organization has released a new report, "Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care," which target administrators, public health officials and healthcare workers.

Therapy dogs can transfer MRSA and C. difficile among nursing home residents, researchers say

May 08, 2009

A recent Canadian study finds that methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and C. difficile can be transferred between long-term care residents and therapy dogs, opening a new possible avenue for infection.

First reports of swine flu at nursing homes surface, professionals council issues guidelines

May 04, 2009

A council of long-term care professionals has issued guidelines for dealing with suspected or actual outbreaks of H1N1, or swine flu. The recommendations came out late last week, just hours before the first suspected cases of the flu at nursing facilities began to surface.

CDC releases guidance for long-term care on swine flu infection

May 01, 2009

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released interim guidance for healthcare facilities, including long-term care, for care of residents with confirmed or suspected swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus.

Sebelius named HHS secretary, faces swine flu challenge

April 29, 2009

The Senate late Tuesday confirmed Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The approval comes as the country grapples with a growing swine flu threat.

Long-term care groups watching, waiting as government responds to swine flu crisis

April 28, 2009

Swine flu has not, so far, affected residents or employees of nursing homes. Still, the long-term care community is staying abreast of the latest developments and information regarding the potentially deadly virus.

Joint Commission releases document on hand hygiene compliance

April 17, 2009

The Joint Commission this week released a document to help healthcare workers, including those in long-term care, measure hand hygiene compliance.

MDRGN bacteria more prevalent than MRSA in long-term care facilities, new report suggests

April 14, 2009

Multi-drug resistant gram-negative (MDRGN) bacteria could be overtaking methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) as the number-one source of treatment-resistant infections in long-term care facilities, a recent report suggests.

Mild flu season comes to an end, CDC says

April 10, 2009

The cold and flu season is winding to a close and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was one of the mildest in years.

New predictive tool for C. difficile 77% effective

April 02, 2009

Recurrent cases of C. difficile present healthcare workers with a significant challenge. Now doctors at Harvard Medical School have developed a way to accurately predict who is at risk for the infection.

Scientists work to fight MRSA on the atomic level

April 01, 2009

A new scientific development could help defeat methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other hard-to-kill bugs often found in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare settings.

New portable device tracks hand hygiene compliance among caregivers

March 19, 2009

Technology that tracks caregivers' hand hygiene practices is proving effective at reducing costs and increasing compliance, according to the results of a recent pilot study.

Study: MRSA infections fall by 50% in 10 years among ICU patients on IVs

February 19, 2009

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections among hospital intensive care unit (ICU) patients with intravenous tubes dropped by about 50% between 1997 and 2007, according to a new report.

Peanut plant owner knew product was tainted, e-mails show

February 13, 2009

The owner of a Georgia peanut processing plant knew he was shipping salmonella-tainted products, according to evidence presented at a congressional hearing this week.

CDC: Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter may be on the decline

January 28, 2009

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Monday said the current salmonella outbreak tied to a Georgia peanut butter manufacturer appears to be reaching its end.

Influenza or carbon monoxide poisoning? Be aware, EPA says

January 23, 2009

The effects of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to symptoms of the flu. Seniors should be on their guard against both this season, the Environmental Protection Agency warns in a recently released fact sheet.

Nurses at higher risk for asthma due to proximity to cleaning chemicals, study finds

January 22, 2009

Nurses who are frequently exposed to cleaning chemicals are at a significantly higher risk of developing asthma than other healthcare workers, according to a recent report.

Peanut butter recall list grows, providers urged to check food supplies

January 21, 2009

The list of companies and products affected by the peanut butter recall continues to grow as the Food and Drug Administration zeroes in on the source of the outbreak-a food manufacturer that supplies peanut products to long-term care facilities, hospitals and other institutions.

Peanut butter brand recalled after seniors sickened in Minnesota facility

January 13, 2009

A brand of peanut butter is being recalled nationally after an open container tested positive for salmonella bacteria in a Minnesota senior care facility.

HHS releases infection control guidelines for C. diff, MRSA

January 08, 2009

The Department of Health and Human Services this week released official guidelines for the reduction of six common hospital acquired infections (HAIs), including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile.

C. difficile more widespread in hospitals, APIC finds

November 12, 2008

More hospital patients have Clostridium difficile than previously thought, according to a new study by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

Quadrupled flu shot serves seniors better, researchers say

October 29, 2008

Giving seniors four times the usual dose of flu vaccine could give them twice as much protection from the bug, say researchers in a report released Sunday. Recent research has debated the effects of standard flu doses administered to the elderly.