ICCS Infection Prevention & Infection Control Newsletter: September 2019 (1st Half)
We're excited to announce that, based on reader feedback, the Infection Prevention & Control Newsletter is becoming a twice-monthly publication. More frequent distribution of this newsletter will help keep you better informed on recent, significant infection prevention and control news.
Topics covered in this issue include challenging Joint Commission standards, FDA guidance on duodenoscopes, effectiveness of masks versus respirators and sepsis. Note: Catch up on news you may have missed in August here.
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Outpatient Facilities Struggling With Joint Commission Infection Control Standards — The Joint Commission released its top challenging standards through the first half of 2019 for ambulatory healthcare organizations and office-based surgery practices. High on both lists: multiple infection control standards.
Joint Commission Infection Control Standards Challenge Home Care Providers, Nursing Care Centers — Home care providers and nursing care centers also had infection control requirements identified most frequently as "not compliant" during surveys and reviews from January through June.
FDA: Facilities Should Transition to Duodenoscopes With Disposable Parts — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised hospitals and endoscopy facilities to transition away from fixed endcap duodenoscopes to duodenoscopes with disposable components that help with or even eliminate the need for reprocessing.
Study: Surgical Masks Match Respirators for Respiratory Virus Protection — The results of a study indicated that surgical masks are as effective as respirator-type masks in protecting healthcare workers from respiratory viruses.
Sepsis Awareness Month Shines Spotlight on Infection Complication That Kills Thousands — September is Sepsis Awareness Month. Here is some background information and best practices concerning this life-threatening condition.
Survey Shows Low Uptake of Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Guidelines — A survey showed that only about 31% of hospitals have fully adopted recommendations against the use of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis after an incision has been closed.
New Antimicrobial Coating Could Be Key in Fight Against Hospital-Acquired Infections — Scientists have created an antimicrobial coating for steel surfaces which has proven to rapidly kill bacteria that cause some of the most common hospital-acquired infections.
Fluoroquinolone Use Decreases Following FDA Black Box Warning — The FDA black box warning on fluoroquinolones that was issued in 2016 resulted in a significant, further decline in use at 29 southeastern U.S. hospitals, according to a study.
Hospitals Encouraged to Participate in World Patient Safety Day Sept. 17 — The World Health Organization will host the first World Patient Safety Day September 17, an opportunity for hospitals and health systems to share their good work and resources on patient safety, safety culture and patient engagement.
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