National prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in inpatients at US health care facilities, 2006.

Background: Despite methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being endemic in virtually all US health care facilities, there are no data on the prevalence of MRSA in US health care facilities.

Methods: We conducted a national prevalence survey of MRSA in inpatients at US health care facilities. The survey was developed, received institutional review board approval, and then distributed to all members of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

A survey of health professions students for knowledge, attitudes, and confidence about tuberculosis, 2005.

Background: In 2003 the NIH perceived a need to strengthen teaching about tuberculosis (TB) to health professions students. The National Tuberculosis Curriculum Consortium (NTCC) was funded to meet this need. The purpose of this study was to survey students enrolled in NTCC schools prior to NTCC-developed educational materials being made available to faculty.

Survey of Physician Well-Being and Health Behaviors at an Academic Medical Center.

Purpose: The study aims were to ascertain, among attending and house staff at a single academic medical center, the prevalence of and risk factors for psychiatric symptoms and disorders and for personal health behaviors.

Methods: A self-administered, anonymous 72-item survey of physicians was conducted in February 2003.

Results: Response rate was 37.

Staffing requirements for infection control programs in US health care facilities: Delphi project.

Background: The guideline for staffing infection control programs of 1 infection control professional (ICP) for every 250 occupied acute care beds has been used in many health care facilities in the United States since 1985. Since that time, the health care system, patient populations, and expectations about the work of infection prevention and control programs have changed substantially.

Methods: The Delphi method was used; data were obtained from a group of ICPs through a series of 10 surveys.

Nurse staffing and healthcare-associated infections: proceedings from a working group meeting.

The nation is facing a nursing shortage that is creating a crisis for quality healthcare and patient safety. Research has documented that problems with nurse staffing are associated with healthcare-associated infections and other adverse events that affect patient outcomes. These ominous facts, stated during the opening of an expert consultants meeting convened by the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, laid the foundation for a day-long discussion and a call to action to address a growing crisis in healthcare.

Nurse staffing and health care-associated infections: Proceedings from a working group meeting.

The nation is facing a nursing shortage that is creating a crisis for quality health care and patient safety. Research has documented that problems with nurse staffing are associated with health care-associated infections and other adverse events that affect patient outcomes. These ominous facts, stated during the opening of an expert consultants meeting convened by the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, laid the foundation for a day-long discussion and a call to action to address a growing crisis in health care.