Association Between Children's Hospital Visitor Restrictions and Healthcare-Associated Viral Respiratory Infections: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

We investigated the effect of annual winter visitor restrictions on hospital respiratory virus transmission. The healthcare-associated (HA) viral respiratory infection (VRI) transmission index (number of HA VRIs per 100 inpatient community-associated VRIs) was 59% lower during the months in which visitor restrictions were implemented. These data prompt consideration for instituting year-round visitor restrictions.

Impact of a Healthcare Provider Educational Intervention on Frequency of Clostridium difficile Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing in Children: A Segmented Regression Analysis.

Background.: Although Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are increasingly diagnosed in children, many children diagnosed with CDI lack classic risk factors. Frequent use of highly sensitive tcdB polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in low-risk patients leads to CDI misdiagnosis and unnecessary CDI antibiotic use in children with C difficile carriage.

Sexually transmitted diseases surveillance among incarcerated men who have sex with men--an opportunity for HIV prevention.

There is an urgent need for behavioral surveillance and prevention strategies specifically designed for men who have sex with men (MSM) who exhibit high-risk behavior. This report describes a sentinel screening program designed to identify sexually transmitted infections among incarcerated MSM. Approximately 2,200 inmates were screened for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia from a segregated unit of men who have sex with men in Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail.