Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI)

A new bacteriophage (phage) treatment-based approach to fighting Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) colonization and infection may one day provide for effective treatment against this potentially lethal disease.

Jeff Boyd, PhD, assistant professor of Biochemistry and Microbiology at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, explains the difference between Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

A multistate outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia infections might be linked to contaminated liquid docusate products in one of the states.

During a session at the ASM Microbe 2016 conference on Monday, June 20, 2016, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officer presented data on the investigation of the Elizabethkingia anophelis outbreak that started in Wisconsin and spread to two other states.

Marion A. Kainer, MD, MPH, FRACP, FSHEA, Director of Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance Program, Tennessee Department of Health, discusses some of the key points to aid in the fight against healthcare associated infections, nationwide.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that many of the reported outbreaks involving Legionella bacteria since 2000 could have been prevented with better testing protocols and infrastructure management.

Marion A. Kainer, MD, MPH, FRACP, FSHEA, Director, Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program, Tennessee Department of Health, explains how the CDC aid state health departments in the fight against healthcare associated infections.

A recent review article on the status of vaccines in development for healthcare associated infections (HAIs) provides both an in-depth discussion of their urgent need, as well as their potential for success.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) can be spread between facilities, particularly in older adults. One study has found that collaboration between facilities may help curb the spread of this potentially deadly infection.

An estimated 722,000 healthcare-associated infections occurred in acute care hospitals in the United States in 2011, and roughly 75,000 patients who acquired them died while still in the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Concerns over the deadly outbreak in the Midwest continue to grow as five more individuals have died from the previously misdiagnosed bacteria.

Elizabethkingia is believed to be the cause for 18 deaths in Wisconsin, 1 death in Michigan, and now, 1 additional death in Illinois.

The results of a recent study suggest that the location of alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations in hospital entrances could influence visitor hand hygiene compliance.

Since January 2016, WHO has been notified of Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, with cases linked to the Togo outbreak in both Germany and Atlanta, Georgia in the United States.

On March 8, 2016, researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology reported the development of an antibacterial fabric that inhibits the growth of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Treatment with SER-109 is considered to be effective in treating Clostridium difficile infection.

An unexpected patient population may play a larger role in infection control struggles

Dorothy McCoy, PharmD, shares information on how to avoid a hospital acquired infection (HAI).

Dorothy McCoy, PharmD, describes what healthcare professionals can do to help avoid Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections in their patients.

Dorothy McCoy, PharmD, explains why Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is so difficult to prevent.

US hospitals have made significant reductions in the incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) over the past decade, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes far too many Americans are exposed to "dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria" in hospitals and other healthcare settings.

As has recently been seen in Flint, MI, it is vital to know the risk for this deadly disease and the steps to take to prevent Legionella bacteria from flourishing.

Dorothy McCoy, PharmD, explains which members of the population are most susceptible to fungal infections.

Eighteen Wisconsin residents who have been struck with bloodstream infections caused by the Elizabethkingia anophelis bacteria, have died.

Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) have been a growing source of concern in healthcare as rates of recurrent infections are increasing in elderly populations and widespread antibiotic usage continues.

The student was diagnosed with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) on February 7, 2016 at Liberty Elementary School of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Study finds no evidence that long-term daily use of CHG leads to high levels of antibiotic resistance in bacteria on patients' skin.

A confirmed outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease, or Legionellosis, has been declared in New York City and health officials have provided updates and need-to-know information regarding the illness.

A survey of 571 US hospitals regarding practices used to prevent Clostridium difficile infection indicates that nearly half of the facilities appear to not be taking steps to prevent the infection that kills nearly 30,000 people and sickens hundreds of thousands more each year, despite strong evidence that these steps work.