I sat in morning report as the nursing supervisor announced the arrival of a new resident. An 80-year old woman was taken to the hospital after a fall at home, where she received a below-knee amputation...
Taking steps to prevent Clostridium difficile infections
By
Irena Kenneley, Ph.D.
Feb 15, 2013
The numbers are in and they are grim. There are 165,000 cases, $1.3 billion in excess costs, and 9,000 deaths from Clostridium difficile infections that are healthcare-acquired in the United States annually.
‘Fake stool’ a possible aid for C. diff patients
By
McKnight's Staff
Jan 10, 2013
A pair of Clostridium difficile patients were cured through introduction of a super-probiotic synthetic stool called RePOOPulate, leading researchers to express hope that the treatment can be adopted on...
The tail of C. diff: Dog can detect illness with accuracy, researchers say
By
Elizabeth Newman
Dec 17, 2012
Finally, some good news about a Cliff. After two months of training, a two-year-old beagle named Cliff demonstrated success at being able to detect C. diff in stool samples in a lab environment, researchers...
Researchers show how MRSA contact precautions lead to better hand hygiene
By
Elizabeth Newman
Dec 12, 2012
Contact precautions for patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus led to healthcare workers practicing better hand hygiene, a study has found.
Bacteria mix offers hope for those with C. diff
By
McKnight's Staff
Oct 31, 2012
Researchers have hit on a potentially novel way to fight Clostridium difficile: a cocktail of six different types of bacteria.
Study reveals that ultraviolet light eliminates deadly hospital-acquired infections
By
McKnight's Staff
Oct 19, 2012
Researchers say they nearly eliminated deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a study encompassing 50 patient rooms at two medical facilities by using a specific spectrum of ultraviolet light.
The gift of gallows humor
By
Mary Gustafson
Oct 11, 2012
Comedienne Tig Notaro — from what I’ve been able to glean in my relatively brief history as a fan of her comedy — does not appear to have any connection with the long-term care industry. But...
New tracking tools, guidance help nursing homes treat and prevent facility-acquired infections
By
McKnight's Staff
Sep 19, 2012
Government health officials have released a tracking tool that can help nursing homes monitor healthcare-acquired infections.
September 11 death count, times 10
By
John O'Connor
Aug 27, 2012
Many people shudder when they think about the 9/11 tragedy, and rightfully so. The four suicide attacks carried out on September 11 of 2001 caused nearly 3,000 deaths. But imagine if there were 10 such...