The emerging role of the corporate or system-level infection prevention director for integrated delivery networks.

Background: One position in integrated delivery networks (IDNs) that provides centralized oversight to optimize patient safety is the corporate-level infection prevention (IP) director. After noting variability in their roles, responsibilities, and IP programs, a national network of IDN IP directors planned a member survey to better understand common and variable elements. Nine network members volunteered to design a survey to describe the current role, responsibilities, and resourcing of all members of the corporate IP director group.

Dilated cardiomyopathy in juvenile Portuguese Water Dogs.

Dilated cardiomyopathy recently has been recognized in juvenile Portuguese Water Dogs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate unaffected and affected puppies by physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, specific biochemical assays, and ultrastructure to document disease progression and to develop a method of early detection. Results of segregation analysis were consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance.