Suspected sepsis cases linked to overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, study finds
By
Kristen Fischer
Jul 05, 2024
About half of suspected sepsis cases account for broad-spectrum antibiotic use — but a lot of these cases don’t require the medications at all, according to a study published June 27 in JAMA Network...
More antibiotics didn’t prevent joint replacement infections, trial reveals
By
Kristen Fischer
Oct 19, 2023
Doctors typically give the antibiotic cefazolin to people who have knee and hip replacements in order to prevent infection. Some physicians have debated if adding another antibiotic — vancomycin — ...
Increases in non-COVID infections ‘wipe out’ decade of progress
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 03, 2021
The CDC’s new report of a spike in healthcare associated infections is alarming, says the nation’s leading infection control group. One bright spot for nursing homes: CDC found no increase in Clostridium...
How to respond to growing threat of multi-drug resistant organisms focus of Aug. 24 webinar
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 12, 2021
Candida auris. Methicillin/oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The growing list of multi-drug resistant organisms is enough to worry any nursing home leader. These...
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...
CDC releases HAI Data: How are we doing?
By
Jacie Volkman, MPH, CIC
Jul 16, 2014
For many years, healthcare institutions have been focused on different ways to decrease HAIs, as federal reimbursement initiatives loomed. So, what does this report card tell us? We’ve come a long...
NQF’s measures target pressure ulcers
By
John O'Connor
Feb 01, 2013
The National Quality Forum (NQF) Board of Directors recently endorsed 12 patient safety measures with a focus on complications. The measures address pressure ulcers, falls, healthcare-associated infections...
Researchers show how MRSA contact precautions lead to better hand hygiene
By
Elizabeth Newman
Dec 12, 2012
Contact precautions for patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus led to healthcare workers practicing better hand hygiene, a study has found.
Healthcare’s dirty secret
By
Elizabeth Newman
Nov 20, 2012
If there’s one topic where I feel that healthcare publications tend to repeat themselves, it’s around infection control.