Quadrupled flu shot serves seniors better, researchers say
Oct 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...
New infection control guidelines released; MRSA, c. Diff and urinary tract infections figure prominently
Oct 10, 2008
Many of the nation’s most prominent infection-control groups on Wednesday released a new set of “consensus” guidelines to help curb the spread of six potentially fatal facility-acquired...
‘Never event’ Medicare reimbursement rules now in effect
Oct 02, 2008
As of this month, Medicare no longer is reimbursing healthcare facilities for “reasonably preventable” medical errors. Also, hospitals are not allowed to charge patients directly for medical...
CDC confident new flu vaccine will protect against this year’s virus
Sep 26, 2008
While last year’s flu season proved problematic for health officials, this year scientists say they are well prepared.
HHS to release blueprint for reducing healthcare-associated infections
Sep 25, 2008
The Department of Health and Human Services expects to release a draft action plan regarding the reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) before the next president takes office, the agency...
Study: Most nursing homes don’t have pandemic flu plans …
Jul 23, 2008
Fewer than a quarter (23%) of all nursing homes have a plan for dealing with a massive flu outbreak, according to a new study. About 25% had a pandemic response as part of a broader overall disaster plan.
C. difficile wreaks havoc on hospitals, report finds
Apr 25, 2008
The number of hospital patients with infections linked to Clostridium difficile more than doubled from 2001 to 2005, according to a report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Nurses, staff should receive MRSA screenings, researchers say
Apr 23, 2008
Leaders of healthcare facilities should seriously consider having staff members screened for MRSA, the drug-resistant infection that can wreak havoc on senior populations, Swiss and South African researchers...
GAO calls for steps to prevent hospital-acquired infections
Apr 21, 2008
The Government Accountability Office has offered recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the organization of hospital-acquired infection information.
Ready to wear
By
John Andrews
Mar 01, 2008
Nursing homes are handling linens better than ever before with increasingly sophisticated equipment and practices.