This issue covers some of the most significant news from May. Topics include hospital-acquired pneumonia, C. auris, HAIs, dialysis, and antibiotic stewardship.
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New Guidance Released for Preventing Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia — Five organizations – SHEA, IDSA, APIC, AHA, and The Joint Commission – issued new guidance on best practices for preventing hospital-associated pneumonia.
Candida Auris Rapidly Recontaminates Surfaces Around Patients' Beds Despite Cleaning and Disinfection — Research shows that Candida auris (C. auris) recontaminates environmental surfaces within a patient's room within hours despite regular cleaning and disinfection.
Some HAI Incident Increases Continued Into Second Year of COVID-19 — Despite the increase of infection control and prevention protocols throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a study showed that during the first two years of the public health emergency, several health care-acquired infections continued and most increased.
Update to APIC Implementation Guide: Infection Prevention and Control in Dialysis Settings — APIC published an update to its 2010 implementation guide, "Infection Prevention and Control in Dialysis Settings." The 2022 version also includes more information on peritoneal dialysis, home dialysis, special populations, and emergency preparedness.
FDA Authorizes COVID-19 Test That Also Detects Influenza, RSV — FDA granted an EUA to the Labcorp Seasonal Respiratory Virus RT-PCR DTC Test for use without a prescription for people with symptoms of respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19. The test can identify and differentiate multiple respiratory viruses at the same time, detecting influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), along with SARS-CoV-2.
Inappropriate Antibiotics for Kids Tied to Adverse Events, Higher Costs — New research suggests the negative consequences of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in children with common infections aren't limited to antibiotic resistance.
Antimicrobial Stewardship After Patient Discharge Is Lacking — A study noted that more than 50% of antimicrobials prescribed in outpatient settings may be unnecessary.
Interprofessional Collaboration Leads to Sustained Reduction in Hospital-Onset C. Difficile Infections — A study points to ways facilities can substantially reduce the incidence of hospital-onset C. diff infection (HO-CDI).
WHO Launches First Ever Global Report on Infection Prevention and Control — The first global infection control report from WHO has found that when good hand hygiene and other cost-effective practices are followed, healthcare organizations can prevent 70% of infections.
COVID-19 Impact on Antimicrobial Stewardship: Consequences and Silver Linings — Learn some of the negative and positive effects of COVID-19 and its impact on antimicrobial stewardship program workload.