September is recognized as Sepsis Awareness Month - a significant period instituted by the Sepsis Alliance with a central objective to amplify knowledge about infection prevention to combat sepsis, one of the principal causes of mortality in hospitals across the United States. Sepsis is defined as a severe bodily reaction to an infection, typified by…
A notable shift in the federal workforce strategy has seen the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) restore the jobs of 328 previously laid-off employees belonging to the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NBC News reported this reversal on May 14th, marking a significant moment in the broader context of…
In the face of staffing shortages and a rise in potential contagion risks, the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) has devised a solution: the TEPHI 200-Series. This program offers accessible and impactful training designed to equip healthcare professionals with the tools needed to bolster national infection prevention efforts.
Infection prevention and control (IPC), a fundamental…
Vector-borne diseases represent a significant portion of global infectious illnesses, caused by pathogens transferred via host organisms or through various vectors such as insects, parasites, fleas, and ticks. This category of diseases is responsible for an estimated 17% of all infectious diseases, implicating a wider range of aliments like malaria, dengue virus, Zika virus, West…
In a recent interview by Medscape, Dr. Susan Huang, a medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at UCI Health, expressed her deep appreciation for their diligent team. UCI Health, a highly-respected healthcare institution run by UC Irvine, houses the UCI Medical Center located in Orange, where Huang has witnessed first-hand the unwavering commitment to…
Primary care physicians, often regarded as the first line of healthcare defense, hold great sway in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – a growing concern within global health circles. However, the responsibility to curb AMR isn’t theirs alone. All healthcare professionals, including clinicians, need to adopt concerted efforts, routed in consistency and perseverance.
A significant…
Nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is one of the most prevalent and deadly hospital-acquired infections (HAI) and significantly affects patient outcomes. Findings from a 2023 study conducted in 284 US hospitals revealed that NV-HAP contributed to 1 in 14 hospital deaths, posing an inpatient mortality rate of 22.4%. Furthermore, NV-HAP was linked to substantial morbidity and…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues directives through its Health Alert Network (HAN), providing crucial guidance to the U.S public health departments and clinicians. One such directive is a Health Advisory pertaining to the recent outburst of Ebola disease in Uganda. This has been traced back to the Sudan Orthoebolavirus Sudanense virus.…
Wolters Kluwer, a recognized leader in presenting information on healthcare, legal, tax and accounting, corporate compliance, and ESG has underlined the significance of trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions crucial in decision-making and outcome generation within healthcare. They emphasize on clinical effectiveness, learning, research, and safety. Businesses vary in size and professional needs and Wolters…
Healthcare professionals on the frontline, especially in low-income settings, are particularly exposed to contracting SARS-CoV-2 due to their occupational environment. This exposure heightens their vulnerability, signaling a significant need for better workplace safety protocols and comprehensive training to mitigate future pandemics of similar nature. This analysis pivots on a study aimed at determining the prevalence…