HCPro.com: Briefings on Infection Control

From the AIA's new Infection Control Risk Assessment to the JCAHO's emphasis on infection control, your facility's infection control initiatives have never been under more scrutiny. Briefings on Infection Control is a 12-page monthly resource that was created specifically to help you save time complying with the new infection control regulations and combating the spread of infectious diseases in your hospital. Not only will you know about the latest changes and updates, but you'll also receive the step-by-step strategies and tools to comply!

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August 2008 (Volume 6, Issue 8)	view entire issue

Interpersonal relationships are crucial to successful construction projects
Picture a floor nurse with little experience in IC thrown into an ICP position and expected to oversee a major hospital construction project. Now imagine-as often happens-that several breakdowns and breaches occur. Poor IC management leads to many cases of invasive aspergillus infection, resulting in permanent injury to one patient and the deaths of two others. A lawsuit ensues, and the hospital is held accountable. As this scenario shows, the infection risks to patients during construction can be serious. Many ICPs have little to no experience with construction, and so the prospect of overseeing such a project can be daunting, says Wayne Hansen, PE, REA, CEM

Train your staff on respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette in time for upcoming respiratory infection season
"I personally like to see training start in September," says Joan M. Wideman, MS, MT, (ASCP) SLS, CIC, owner of JMW Consulting, LLC, in Clawson, MI. "Our influenza season seems to have shifted over the past few years. It traditionally peaked over the winter holidays, but now seems to peak in later January and into February, depending on locale." The CDC recommends that facilities institute respiratory etiquette practices as a component of standard practices to prevent respiratory infections, including influenza.

Focus is on IC in 2009 National Patient Safety Goals
Preventing hospital-associated infections (HAI), such as MDROs, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections, are a major focus of The Joint Commission's 2009 National Patient Safety Goals released June 17. ICPs will be most interested in Goal #7, which requires hospitals to reduce the risk of HAIs. Some of the requirements addressed include but are not limited to: Complying with CDC or World Health Organization hand hygiene guidelines Managing sentinel events related to HAIs Implementing evidence-based practices to prevent HAIs

Other recently-published articles from Briefings on Infection Control:

Compendium of strategies full of HAI prevention tips

CMS interpretive guidelines one year later: Is your facility in compliance with all the changes?

Hospital leaders dropping the ball when it comes to IC

Study: Flu vaccine in elderly may be even less effective than originally thought, but don’t stop encouraging shots

IC.01.02.01, needed resources for your IC program

Dress for IC success

The new CMS payment policy might be more bark than bite with regard to SSIs

Contending with floods, hurricanes, and water damage

Joint Commission wants the right person in charge

New regulations affect dialysis facilities

Seven tips to fight the flu with vaccinations

Document, monitor, and limit flash sterilization to stay out of hot water with The Joint Commission

Audits and training critical to food safety

Stay vigilant: Pandemic influenza is more likely than ever

Can training IC liaisons really save your sanity?

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