LeadingAge survey finds 37% of members with rapid COVID tests from feds are not using them … New sporicidal cleaner for C. diff employs electrostatic spray for healthcare settings … LTC task force...
Efforts to combat Clostridium difficile are coming up short, survey finds
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 12, 2013
Long-term care operators and other healthcare providers are having limited success in combating Clostridium difficile infections, despite increasing their efforts in the last three years, according to...
The gift of gallows humor
By
Mary Gustafson
Oct 11, 2012
Comedienne Tig Notaro — from what I’ve been able to glean in my relatively brief history as a fan of her comedy — does not appear to have any connection with the long-term care industry. But...
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...
Experimental drug is helpful against c. diff, animal study finds
Aug 24, 2011
An experimental compound, which investigators say could be used as an alternative to antibiotics, has been shown to be effective in fighting Clostridium difficile in laboratory mice.
Three risk factors could help uncover C. diff. carriers, researchers say
By
McKnight's Staff
May 01, 2013
Long-term care providers might want to pay special attention to residents with certain recently identified risk factors for Clostridium difficile. These factors are chronic dialysis, recent hospitalization...
Stomach acid drugs raise risk of C. diff
By
Elizabeth Newman
May 01, 2013
Stomach acid is often treated with medications such as Pepcid, but that could put long-term care residents or hospitalized patients at risk for Clostridium difficile, according to a new analysis.
Limiting use of common antihistamines could reduce C. diff in facilities, researchers say
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 29, 2013
Taking antihistamines such as Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac increases the risk that people in healthcare settings will be infected with Clostridium difficile, according to a recently published study.
Budgeting for hand hygiene
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 06, 2014
One of my former colleagues, who had moved to the healthcare sector from television, shared with me the story of how she began her new job and was told, “Oh, yeah, you can figure out the budget,...
September 11 death count, times 10
By
John O'Connor
Aug 27, 2012
Many people shudder when they think about the 9/11 tragedy, and rightfully so. The four suicide attacks carried out on September 11 of 2001 caused nearly 3,000 deaths. But imagine if there were 10 such...