Fluid retention in endoscopes: A real-world study on drying effectiveness.

Background: Outbreaks linked to inadequate endoscope drying have infected numerous patients, and current standards and guidelines recommend at least 10 minutes of forced air for drying channels. This study evaluated a new forced-air drying system (FADS) for endoscopes.

Methods: Drying was assessed using droplet detection cards; visual inspection of air/water connectors, suction connectors, and distal ends; and borescope examinations of endoscope interiors.

Healthcare design to improve safe doffing of personal protective equipment for care of patients with COVID-19.

Objective: Understand how the built environment can affect safety and efficiency outcomes during doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient care.

Study Design: We conducted (1) field observations and surveys administered to healthcare workers (HCWs) performing PPE doffing, (2) focus groups with HCWs and infection prevention experts, and (3) a with healthcare design experts.

Settings: This study was conducted in 4 inpatient units treating patients with COVID-19, in 3 hospitals of a single healthcare system.

Outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in hospitalized hemodialysis patients: An epidemiologic and genomic investigation.

We performed an epidemiological investigation and genome sequencing of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to define the source and scope of an outbreak in a cluster of hospitalized patients. Lack of appropriate respiratory hygiene led to SARS-CoV-2 transmission to patients and healthcare workers during a single hemodialysis session, highlighting the importance of infection prevention precautions.

Novel approach to deployment of crisis situation supply of N95 respirator models in a healthcare system.

Given supply constraints of N95s in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities have turned to extended use protocols and new sources of N95s. Because fit testing every employee for every new mask is not feasible, our Infection Prevention Department developed a method for rapid deployment of new N95s.