Joint Commission releases document on hand hygiene compliance
Apr 17, 2009
The Joint Commission this week released a document to help healthcare workers, including those in long-term care, measure hand hygiene compliance.
Influenza or carbon monoxide poisoning? Be aware, EPA says
Jan 23, 2009
The effects of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to symptoms of the flu. Seniors should be on their guard against both this season, the Environmental Protection Agency warns in a recently released...
Peanut butter recall list grows, providers urged to check food supplies
Jan 21, 2009
The list of companies and products affected by the peanut butter recall continues to grow as the Food and Drug Administration zeroes in on the source of the outbreak-a food manufacturer that supplies peanut...
Peanut butter brand recalled after seniors sickened in Minnesota facility
Jan 13, 2009
A brand of peanut butter is being recalled nationally after an open container tested positive for salmonella bacteria in a Minnesota senior care facility.
New infection control guidelines released; MRSA, c. Diff and urinary tract infections figure prominently
Oct 10, 2008
Many of the nation’s most prominent infection-control groups on Wednesday released a new set of “consensus” guidelines to help curb the spread of six potentially fatal facility-acquired...
‘Never event’ Medicare reimbursement rules now in effect
Oct 02, 2008
As of this month, Medicare no longer is reimbursing healthcare facilities for “reasonably preventable” medical errors. Also, hospitals are not allowed to charge patients directly for medical...
HHS to release blueprint for reducing healthcare-associated infections
Sep 25, 2008
The Department of Health and Human Services expects to release a draft action plan regarding the reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) before the next president takes office, the agency...
Study: Most nursing homes don’t have pandemic flu plans …
Jul 23, 2008
Fewer than a quarter (23%) of all nursing homes have a plan for dealing with a massive flu outbreak, according to a new study. About 25% had a pandemic response as part of a broader overall disaster plan.
Nurses, staff should receive MRSA screenings, researchers say
Apr 23, 2008
Leaders of healthcare facilities should seriously consider having staff members screened for MRSA, the drug-resistant infection that can wreak havoc on senior populations, Swiss and South African researchers...
GAO calls for steps to prevent hospital-acquired infections
Apr 21, 2008
The Government Accountability Office has offered recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the organization of hospital-acquired infection information.