The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued guidelines aimed at mitigating the risk of bloodstream infections, especially those stemming from peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs). Recognizing that around 70% of hospital inpatients require the use of a peripheral intravenous catheter, the WHO underscores the gravity of the risk associated with improper PIVC practices. Infections resulting from such practices can lead to life-threatening conditions such as sepsis, and complications in major organs, especially when the resulting infections are triggered by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The WHO estimates underscore the high mortality rates among patients with healthcare-associated sepsis, with averages of 24.4% mortality reported from 2000 to 2018, escalating to 52.3% among intensive care unit patients. However, the WHO holds a strong belief that catheter-associated bloodstream infections can be significantly mitigated if healthcare practitioners adhere to the correct procedures.
Newly introduced guidelines by WHO emphasize the importance of educating healthcare workers and refining procedures associated with PIVC’s, ranging from selection and insertion to maintenance and removal techniques, while also focusing on asepsis techniques and hand hygiene. A total of fourteen good practice statements and twenty-three recommendations have been specified in these guidelines, targeted at minimizing the preventable tragedy of healthcare-associated infections.
In other news, seven more groups affiliated with poultry production have committed to an international initiative aimed at curtailing the use of antimicrobials on poultry farms. Established principles of the Transformational Strategies for Farm Risk Output Mitigation (TRANSFORM) project, funded by the US Agency for International Development, have been adopted by these organizations, which include poultry associations across various European countries as well as fast food giant, Yum! Brands.
The project strives to promote a responsible and sustainable approach to antimicrobial use in poultry farming. Along with stricter national compliance and veterinary oversight, emphasis is placed on risk-based decisions, effective farm management practices, and a reduction in the need for antimicrobials. As of today, a total of 26 organizations, representing more than 40% of the global poultry meat production, have pledged their support to TRANSFORM.
To conclude, a recent Cochrane review suggests that the right dosage of zinc could potentially reduce the duration of the common cold by two days. However, the results are not conclusive and further consideration needs to be given to the associated side effects, including bowel problems, nausea and potentially unpleasant taste before consumers can make an informed choice.