Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI)

Hospital-acquired conditions fell 13% between 2014 and 2017, according to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Sink drains near toilets in hospital rooms could be reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a new study suggests.

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to investigational drug CP101 for the treatment of patients with recurrent C diff infection.

The long-term health care burden after Clostridium difficile (C diff) infection (CDI) is great for elderly patients. But even nonelderly patients are at risk for gastrointestinal symptoms for up to 2 years afterward.

Basophils play a critical role in inducing immune responses against infections and could potentially play a part in preventing the development of sepsis.

Investigators compared an antibiotic monotherapy and a combination therapy for MSSA bacteremia and found that both had similar results, raising the call for new treatment options.

Are surgical pens giving insight into unknown contamination in the OR?

Applying hospital-based outbreak tools helped researchers identify a community MRSA outbreak

FDA has granted Fast Track designation for ACX-362E, an investigational new treatment for C diff that is being developed by Acurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC.

Health care providers in the US should be aware of an outbreak of an antibiotic-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a Mexico hospital where US residents frequently undergo invasive medical procedures.

Better rates of overall survival were seen when patients received granulocyte transfusions within 7 days of neutropenic sepsis.

To explore the long-term outcomes of treatment for recurrent C diff, NIAID has launched a new trial that will follow patients for 4 years to assess the safety of fecal microbiota transplants.

A new survey highlights that treatment of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia varies among infectious disease physicians.

After 6 NIH hospital patients developed infections from waterborne bacteria, investigators found contamination in facility pipes and faucets.

Clostridium difficile (C diff) infection rates remained relatively stable in 2015 and 2011 even though the rate of health care-associated infections was lower, respectively, according to recent findings.

In a new study, researchers with the US Department of Veterans Affairs found that metronidazole is as effective as vancomycin for treating mild cases of Clostridium difficile infection, despite new guidelines no longer recommending metronidazole.

Antibiotic cycling is not linked to a reduced incidence of health care-associated MRSA or Clostridium difficile infection, a new study shows.

A recently launched clinical trials is investigating the use of an intravenous combination therapy including vitamin C for use in sepsis patients.

Studies that do not consider time of infection may overestimate the impact of hospital-acquired infections on patient outcomes, according to the results of a new study.

A novel study from Seddon and colleagues adds to the body of evidence that supports what antimicrobial stewardship programs are so often challenged to do, early de-escalation.

SHEA released new guidance to help increase infection control in the operating room.

Is it time to screen for these bacteria and modify colorectal surgical prophylaxis?

Invasive aspergillosis affects up to 13% of immunocompromised patients who are in the hospital.

The Center for Devices and Radiological Health of the US FDA has issued clearance for the Thermo Scientific QMS Plazomicin Immunoassay.

A new study sheds light on sources of Staphylococcus aureus transmission in the operating room.

Although decontamination strategies are thought to generally slash the rate of infection in ICUs, a new study finds that the use oral and digestive tract decontaminants in ventilated ICU patients is not associated with a reduction in antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections.

Pharmacokinetic analyses provide evidence to support once-weekly dosing of rezafungin to prevent Aspergillus fumigatus in bone marrow transplant recipients.

Are we investing in infection prevention programs like we should or are competing interests pulling resources?

As of October 31, 2018, the CDC has reported 457 clinical cases of confirmed C auris infection with a majority in New York (>50%), New Jersey, and Illinois.

Secondary analyses indicate that bezlotoxumab is more effective in reducing C diff recurrence in patients with pre-specified risk factors.