In the long-term care sector, we have to address patients who may have been through multiple hospital visits and may have been infected with a wide range of multi-drug resistant organisms. Some of them...
Providers credited for 24% drop in C. diff rates
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 02, 2020
Falling U.S. infection rates are only seen in healthcare settings and are likely due to proactive measures taken by providers, say researchers.
C. diff often originates outside healthcare settings, new study suggests
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 11, 2019
One in 10 patients admitted to a New York hospital with no C. diff symptoms were found to be carriers. Six months later, 38% had symptoms.
Antibiotics in LTC: Changing from ‘Just in case’ to ‘Only when needed’
By
Philip D. Sloane, M.D., MPH and Sheryl Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Mar 01, 2017
Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, the most common cause of death was infection. There was no good treatment for pneumonia, complications of urine or ear infections were common, and many people died...
Infectious diseases specialists vital in LTC facilities
By
Russell M. Petrak, M.D.
Aug 18, 2014
Coping with the complicated management of infectious diseases is among the many challenges facing long-term care facilities today. Residents with multiple comorbidities often are prescribed broad-spectrum...
C. diff vaccine moves closer to reality with launch of large Phase III trial
By
Tim Mullaney
May 19, 2014
A potential Clostridium difficile vaccine performed well in initial tests and now has moved into a large Phase III trial, researchers announced today. The news from developer Sanofi Pasteur raises hopes...
Acute, post-acute partnerships reduce C. diff about 50% in Washington state
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 25, 2014
Hospitals and post-acute facilities in Washington state have cut their rate of Clostridium difficile infections in half since 2012 by partnering with each other in a robust infection control program, according...
Hand hygiene prior to donning gloves is unnecessary, study finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 06, 2014
Performing hand hygiene prior to putting on gloves may not be a necessary practice, suggests recently published research in the American Journal of Infection Control.
Antibiotic resistance leads to 23,000 deaths a year, providers must implement best practices: CDC ‘landmark’...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 17, 2013
Nursing homes are on the front lines in the increasingly urgent battle against antibiotic-resistant infections, according to a comprehensive new report that ranks the most dangerous antibiotic-resistant...
C. diff spotlight: Vaccine trial and caregiver checklist
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 07, 2013
Back in June, I declared medication to be the long-term care topic of the summer. But this week, a different topic has stolen the spotlight: Clostridium difficile.