This issue covers some of the most significant news from June. Topics include HAIs, ASC CMS citations, antibiotic stewardship requirements, packaged sterile supplies, hand hygiene, stethoscopes, and monkeypox.

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Continued Increases in the Incidence of Healthcare-Associated Infection During the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic — A CDC analysis reveals continued increases in HAIs in U.S. hospitals during 2021. Data show significantly higher incidence in CLABSIs, CAUTIs, VAEs, and MRSA bacteremia.

Trend Emerges in CMS Citations of ASCs — Infection control tags dominated the top 10 cited areas for ambulatory surgery centers by CMS surveyors.

Nursing Home COVID-19 Cases Quadruple as Booster Rates Slow — An analysis showed COVID-19 infections in U.S. nursing homes quadrupled between mid-April and mid-May. Meanwhile, the death rate in the facilities is rising and the uptake of booster shots has slowed.

New and Revised Requirements Addressing Antibiotic Stewardship for the Hospital and Critical Access Hospital Programs — The Joint Commission issued new and revised requirements for antibiotic stewardship for its hospital and critical access hospital programs.

Quick Safety Issue 65: Managing Packaged Sterile Supplies and Devices — The Joint Commission issued a "Quick Safety" on managing and storing packaged sterile supplies.

Assisted Living Providers Struggled With Infection Control During Pandemic — A study revealed assisted living operators reported serious challenges in implementing infection prevention and control practices for residents living with dementia during the pandemic.

Barriers to Hand Hygiene Include Availability of Products, Lack of Feedback — A healthcare worker (HCW) survey explored the reasons why HCW hand hygiene adherence remains low.

Did Stethoscope Hygiene Improve Before and After COVID-19? — Despite a positive shift in stethoscope hygiene during COVID-19, a study showed best hygiene practices were still only performed by around half of providers.

Workstations on Wheels: Contamination Patterns Show Arm Used for Moving Carries Highest Bioburden — Research reveals workstations on wheels are prone to contamination and could potentially serve as fomites in the transmission of HAIs.

HHS Announces Enhanced Strategy to Vaccinate and Protect At-Risk Individuals from the Current Monkeypox Outbreak — The White House and HHS announced a new vaccine strategy to target the growing monkeypox outbreak in the United States.