Am J Infect Control
December 2022
Fifty years of evolution in infection prevention and control programs have involved significant accomplishments related to clinical practices, methodologies, and technology. However, regulatory mandates, and resource and research limitations, coupled with emerging infection threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic, present considerable challenges for infection preventionists. This article provides guidance and recommendations in 14 key areas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPreventing infection in surgical patients begins with cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing the medical instruments used during surgical and nonsurgical procedures. An estimated 71.9 million procedures are performed each year in the United States, so processing the instruments correctly is essential to minimize infection risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPneumococcal disease remains a threat despite an available vaccine. Primary care nurse practitioners must be prepared to prevent as well as treat pneumococcal infections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOral care is recognized as an essential component of care for critically ill patients and nursing documentation provides evidence of this process. This study examined the practice and frequency of oral care among mechanically ventilated and nonventilated patients. A retrospective record review was conducted of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) between July 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This pilot study was conducted to determine whether supplementing standard classroom training methods regarding respiratory disease transmission with a visual demonstration could improve the use of personal protective equipment among emergency department nurses.
Methods: Participants included 20 emergency department registered nurses randomized into 2 groups: control and intervention. The intervention group received supplemental training using the visual demonstration of respiratory particle dispersion.
The development of resistance to antimicrobial agents continues to be a tremendous challenge to clinicians because of the negative patient outcomes that can result from this resistance. For clinicians to understand their individual responsibilities in reversing this trend, it is useful for them to understand how and why resistance develops. Armed with this knowledge, the infusion specialist can play an important role in the infection control and antimicrobial management processes that are essential in current healthcare settings.
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