The pathogens you cannot see: How to fight and prioritize airborne diseases
By
Megan Henken
Apr 12, 2022
Cleaning and disinfection priorities in healthcare often focus on surfaces. And yet, many life-threatening pathogens are spread through the air requiring different protocols, equipment and considerations....
White House pivots to air quality focus for COVID-19 infection control
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 28, 2022
The White House has embraced a model of COVID-19 transmission that could help shift infection prevention efforts toward indoor air quality and industrial hygiene. A related public webinar is set for Tuesday,...
APIC urges LTC industry to boost infection control capabilities with full-time, certified staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 09, 2022
With the lessons of the pandemic fresh in mind, now is the time for LTC administrators to commit to recruiting and training dedicated, on-site infection preventionists, experts say. Sources of federal...
Nearly all high-touch surfaces in LTC are contaminated, study finds
By
Amy Novotney
Feb 18, 2022
More than 90% of “high-touch” surfaces in long-term care facilities, including handrails and equipment controls, are contaminated with fecal matter and other potential sources of infectious...
Pandemic has eroded patient safety gains, researchers argue
By
Amy Novotney
Feb 17, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly degraded the strides made over the last two decades in improving patient safety, particularly in long-term care, according to CMS and the CDC. In response, APIC has...
CDC’s new COVID-19 guidance: 10-day quarantine for not-up-to-date residents
Feb 04, 2022
This and other newly revised IPC guidance for nursing homes addresses the increased infection risks associated with the omicron variant, the agency said.
CDC: Prior infection plus vaccination tied to lower COVID-19 case rates
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 20, 2022
A new public health study suggests not only that vaccination protects against developing severe illness, but that surviving a bout with COVID-19 prevents reinfection, investigators say.
Lessons from COVID-19: Prioritize infection prevention and control for PALTC
By
Christopher Laxton
Patrick Luib
Theresa Schmidt
Jan 12, 2022
Series Introduction The Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative is a community of diverse collaborators who experienced the pandemic differently and from different perspectives. We have shared...
Healthcare workers who receive booster shots found to have lower coronavirus infection rates
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2022
A new study from Israel in healthcare workers has found lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among those who received a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine.
State orders nursing homes to offer antibody therapy as COVID-19 preventive during outbreaks
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 20, 2021
Long-term care advocates are applauding a new order by the governor of Maryland that requires nursing facilities to offer all residents therapeutic treatments such as monoclonal antibodies when a COVID-19...