Hot Topics in Infection Control
Worse than expected: Study uncovers alarming prevalence of C. diff
Knowledge Is Infectious, November 19, 2008
The APIC study—the largest and most comprehensive of its kind—represents a one-day snapshot of C. diff rates at 648 healthcare facilities in 47 states—12.5 percent of all acute care hospitals in the U.S. Each facility supplied data for a single day between May and August 2008, and the results are truly alarming: 13 out of every 1,000 inpatients in the survey were either infected or colonized with C. diff.
Hospital Superbugs on the Rise Despite Prevention Efforts, Study Shows
Infection Control Today, November 11, 2008
"Not making the required investments would be shortsighted and might suggest that we have already forgotten the lessons we learned from the outbreaks of SARS and C. difficile."
Doorknobs, Handles And Your TV Remote: Your Secret Home Germ Carriers
By Marilynn Marchione The Associated Press, October 29, 2008
Someone in your house have the sniffles? Watch out for the refrigerator door handle. The TV remote, too. A new study finds that cold sufferers often leave their germs there, where they can live for two days or longer.
Toronto's Free Flu Shot Clinics Open On Monday
CityNews.ca, October 27, 2008
The Fact's about Flu Shots - Dr. Michael Gardam, the chief of infection control at Toronto General Hospital.
Wedding triggers outbreak of stomach woes
Stacy Wolford, Valley Independant, October 21, 2008
More than 70 people were afflicted with norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, after attending an October 11 wedding reception at the Stockdale Volunteer Fire Hall.
Officials give high school clean bill of health after MRSA death
Robyn Shelton, Sentinel Medical Writer October 3, 2008
Health officials said Thursday that they found clean conditions in an inspection of Liberty High School after a senior died earlier this week from a bacterial infection.
Deadly Rugby Virus Spreads
Infection Control Today, September 29, 2008
Rugby players may get more than just the ball out of a scrum – herpes virus can cause a skin disease called "scrumpox" and it spreads through physical contact. Researchers have studied the spread of the disease among sumo wrestlers in Japan and have discovered that a new strain of the virus could be even more pathogenic, according to an article published in the October issue of the Journal of General Virology.