2012 recommended immunization schedules released
Access the 2012 recommended immunization schedules on the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.
Infection Prevention
A probable meningitis case puts the ED on alert
The care team works quickly to identify the patient’s meningitis type.
Adherence to SCIP not always associated with lower postop infections
A study in JAMA found that adhering to a global all-or-none composite infection-prevention SCIP (Surgical Care Improvement Project) score reduced…
AHRQ releases progress report for BSIs
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released its second report on progress that has been achieved by hospitals…
C. difficile infections at record high
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that C. difficile infections are at an all-time high and are…
Catching on to C. difficle
Typically caused by antibiotic therapy, Clostridium difficile is now common in hospitals. Learn how to help stop the spread of this potentially fatal infection.
CDC analysis of foodborne norovirus outbreaks
On June 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released “Vital Signs: Foodborne Norovirus Outbreaks — United States, 2009–2012.”…
CDC Ebola information digital hub
Visit the CDC’s digital hub for the latest updates and information about the current Ebola outbreak. To educate yourself about the guidelines…
CDC provides resources related to MERS-CoV
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released infection prevention and control recommendations related to Middle East respiratory…
Central line-associated blood stream infections drop
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of central line-associated blood stream infections decreased by 58%…
Certification associated with lower MRSA infections
Hospitals with a certified infection control director have “significantly lower” rates of MRSA bloodstream infections according to March’s Journal of…
Clinical trials 101
Don’t miss the second in a four-part series on clinical trials written by nurses from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, which covers phases of clinical trials, informed consent, ethics, and more.
Despite efforts C. difficile remains significant problem in hospitals
According to “2013 Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) Pace of Progress Survey: Results of an online poll of infection preventionists,” 70%…
Don’t get ‘caught’ in the CAUTI trap
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), the most common healthcare-associated infection, can be deadly.
Drugs Today – July/August 2009
A weekly update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
Ebola information from ANA
The American Nurses Association has compiled numerous resources and news updates about the current Ebola outbreak that can be accessed…
Ebola is here: Knowledge, identification, and appropriate infection control are key
Ebola… the word conjures up the thoughts of dark, steamy jungles and grim healthcare providers working feverishly in primitive conditions…
ECRI releases top 10 health technology hazards for 2011
ECRI Institute has released its Top 10 Lists of Health Technology Hazards for 2011: radiation therapy dose errors, alarm hazards,…
Emerging infectious threats: Respiratory protection for personal safety
Many experts think a flu pandemic (perhaps the swine flu) is inevitable, underscoring the need for all healthcare workers
to learn how to use respirators properly.
Ending AIDS: Safe sex is still key despite medical advances
There is much to celebrate in the battle against acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is increasing life…
Environment, health, & safety
With the growing reuse of single-use medical devices, ANA supports improvements in end-of-use product management and research on ethical and safety issues related to these devices.
FDA announces new risk factor for PML associated with Tysabri
On Jan. 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that testing positive for anti-JC virus antibodies has been…
FDA approves drug to treat multi-drug resistant TB
On Dec. 31, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sirturo (bedaquiline) as part of combination therapy to…
FDA approves first single-use face mask for children
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Kimberly-Clark Pediatric/Child Face Mask. The mask is designed to fit children…
FDA approves Levaquin for plague
On April 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Levaquin (levofloxacin) to treat patients with plague. The drug was…
FDA approves new imaging agent to help identify AD
A study of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the ICU presented at the 22nd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious…
FDA approves seasonal flu vaccine made using novel technology
On Jan. 16, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Flublok, the first trivalent influenza vaccine made using…
Fever-reducing drugs may help spread flu
According to a study in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the widespread use of fever reducing medications may lead…
HAI significantly increases ICU mortality
A study of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the ICU presented at the 22nd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious…
Healthcare immunization: Protecting coworkers and the community
Health care professionals are at high risk for exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases and infections. Safeguard yourself, your patients, and your…
Helping patients survive sepsis
In its early stages, sepsis can be difficult to detect.
Learn about the sometimes-subtle signs and symptoms.
HHS panel recommends mandatory flu vaccination for health care workers
On Feb. 9, AHANews.com reported the National Vaccine Advisory Committee has recommended that hospitals and other health care facilities not…
Hospital-acquired infections mortalities, costs
Two common conditions caused by hospital-acquired infections killed 48,000 people and ramped up health care costs by $8.1 billion in 2006 alone, according to a study released Feb. 22 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Hospitals continue to struggle with catheter-related infections
A survey from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) found that half of 2,075 survey respondents…
Ideas for improving childhood immunization
The New England Journal of Medicine has a commentary on how to improve childhood vaccination rates. Strategies include eliminating socioeconomic…
Infection control for lifts and slings
Your guide to keeping lifts and slings free from infection.
Infection control lapses common in ambulatory surgical centers
According to an article in the June 9 issue of JAMA, 46 of 68 ambulatory surgical centers in three states…
Issues up close – Fighting the invisible
MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and newly emerging “superbugs” are penetrating deeper into both healthcare and community settings. We need to use critical-thinking skills and rigorous infection control practices to outsmart these pathogens.
Keeping neutropenic patients safe
Protect your neutropenic patients from life-threatening infections.
Leapfrog Group says hospital safety improvements too slow
The Fall 2013 update to The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Score shows many hospitals are making headway in addressing errors,…
Letters to the Editor – May 2009
Speaking of psychic experiences Beth Wechsler’s article “A word about patients’ psychic experiences: Listen” in the March issue deserves to…
Little Progress in fight against health care-associated infections, says AHRQ
Most health care-associated infections continue to increase, according to the 2009 National Healthcare Quality Report and National Healthcare Disparities Report…
MERS resources from the CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published information about Middle East Respiratory System (MERS) for healthcare professionals.…
MRSA: A growing threat in both community and healthcare settings
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a hot topic both in the healthcare arena and at the dinner table.
New guidelines on healthcare personnel attire
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America has issued guidance for “Healthcare Personnel Attire in Non-Operating-Room Settings,” published in the…
New report says more than 13% of Medicare patients experience adverse events during hospital stay
A new report from the Department of Health and Human Services says an estimated 13.5% of Medicare patients experience adverse…
Non-polio enterovirus resources from the CDC
There’s been a lot of talk recently about enterovirus-D68, and all nurses can benefit from being better informed about how…
Nurses’ crucial role in preventing and documenting conditions not present on admission
Medicare has reduced its reimbursement for hospital-acquired conditions. Will some hospitals try to offset the shortfall by slashing nurse staffing?
On the CUSP: How to implement a comprehensive unit-based safety program
This five-step program empowers staff to change unit culture and improve patient safety.
OSHA launches new safety website
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has launched its Worker Safety in Hospitals website, which include many resources to…
Our Readers Respond
Overcoming the fear of floating “Tips for floaters” (March 2010) accurately described the floater’s dilemma. By showing both sides of…
Preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections related to I.V. connectors
The author provides an overview of the issue and suggests some solutions.
Preventing urinary tract infections in patients with indwelling catheters
One of The Joint Commission’s 2012 National Patient Safety Goals is preventing urinary tract infections caused by
catheters. The author reviews best practices that will help nurses meet that goal.
Preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: A nursing-intervention bundle
The author’s study found that when implemented together as a bundle,
three autonomous nursing interventions can dramatically lower ventilatorassociated
pneumonia rates in mechanically ventilated patients.
Prostate biopsies can increase risk of hospitalization
Men 65 years or older are more likely to be hospitalized within 30 days after a prostate biopsy than men…
Protocol reduces complications for complex spinal surgery
A team approach reduces rates of major complications for complex spinal reconstructive surgery by two thirds, according to a report…
Putting evidence into practice: Prevention of infection in patients receiving cancer treatments
Learn how you can help reduce the risk of infections in patients receiving treatment for cancer
Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections
Infections related to urinary catheters are the most common type of healthcare-acquired infection. The author describes his pilot study of an evidence-based intervention to reduce these infections.
Reducing sepsis deaths: A systems approach to early detection and management
An interdisciplinary sepsis initiative eases the sepsis burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system.
Resurgence of pertussis in infants and children
Learn more about this dangerous disease in children.
Save a life-wash your hands
Did you grow up with your mother insisting you wash your hands? She was right! As nurses, we all know…
Soap and water wins again
Washing your hands with soap and water instead of alcohol-based rubs is more effective for removing Clostridium difficile spores from…
Springing into action: How one procedural area kept working during COVID-19
As COVID-19 hit Georgia in early March 2020, Emory University System made the difficult decision to stop all surgeries and…
Study: CDC says improved antibiotic prescribing would reduce resistance
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that potential harm from antibiotic resistance can be…
Study: Decreased sepsis mortality
A study published by Critical Care Medicine reports that in-hospital mortality rates for sepsis decreased from 47% between 1991 and…
Study: Disinfecting caps reduce CLABSI rates
Using a disinfection cap (with isopropyl alcohol) on central line catheters significantly reduced central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates, according…
Study: Disinfection team and standardized cleaning process help reduce CDI
A study in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology found that a dedicated daily disinfection team, coupled with a standard cleaning…
Study: Donor feces more effective than vancomycin in treatment of recurrent C. difficile
A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that infusing a solution of donor feces through a nasoduodenal…
Study: Health care organizations reduce SSIs by nearly half with Joint Commission project
A 2.5-year project under the direction of the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare in collaboration with the American College…
Study: Nurse understaffing associated with infections in neonatal ICUs
A study in JAMA Pediatrics found that nurse understaffing was associated with an increased risk for nosocomial infections in very…
Study: Urinary catheterization high risk for UTI
A review article in December 2012’s Journal of Hospital Infection found that highest population-attributable risk percentage for urinary tract infection…
Study: Well-child visits may increase risk for flu-like illness
Well-child appointments for annual exams and vaccinations are associated with an increased risk of flu-like illnesses in children and family…
Take Note – August 2008
Web exclusive! A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts at www.AmericanNurseToday.com
Take Note – January 2009
A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts.
Take Note – May 2009
A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts.
The Magnet® effect: Success in minimizing bloodstream infections
One hospital’s Magnet quest and several other factors came together to reduce the infection rate.
Three practice bundles to reduce CLABSIs
Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a significant problem for most hospitals, despite a decade of focused improvement efforts using evidence-based guidelines.…
Update on fungal meningitis and other infections from contaminated steroid injections
Get updates on the investigation into fungal meningitis and other infections in patients who received contaminated steroid injections on the…
USPSTF recommends hepatitis B screening for high-risk people
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released “Screening for hepatitis B virus infection in nonpregnant adolescents and adults,”…
Vaccine and immunization information center from CDC
This CDC resource offers the current guidelines for immunization, as well as providing extensive information about the importance of vaccination. To…
Walk the walk to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections
Nearly half of ICU patients have central venous catheters, putting them at risk for deadly bloodstream infections. Learn about proven methods for preventing these infections – and about ineffective practices we should abandon.
WHO releases guidelines for antiretroviral drugs in HIV
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released “Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV…
WHO releases new hepatitis C guidelines
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released “Guidelines for the screening, care and treatment of persons with hepatitis C infection.”…
