SHEA Press Release Archives
Superbug in SE Michigan Shows Recent Decline
A new study finds a decrease in an emergent strain of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) that is resistant to last line defense antibiotics. Researchers examined the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) infections in southeastern Michigan, where the majority of these infections have occurred in the U.S. The study is published in the December issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
SHEA Supports Scientifically Sound Approaches to Ensure Protection for Healthcare Personnel Fighting Ebola
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is dedicated to the prevention of infection in healthcare settings, including the protection of healthcare personnel (HCP) who provide care to patients with known or suspected Ebola virus disease (EVD). SHEA supports the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be used by HCP caring for patients with EVD. This guidance is consistent with the established science regarding how EVD is transmitted.
HHS, APIC, and SHEA honor 2014 Partnership in Prevention Award recipient for healthcare-associated infection prevention
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) today recognized the University of Vermont Medical Center with the 2014 Partnership in Prevention Award for achieving sustainable improvements toward eliminating healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Antibiotic Misuse Threatens Modern Medicine
Throughout hospitals and other healthcare facilities, antibiotic overuse and misuse threatens the efficacy of one of medicine's most valuable lifesaving tools. Concurrently, research and development for new antibiotics has been limited – creating a problem for generations to come. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners in "Get Smart about Antibiotics Week" to highlight this alarming issue and raise awareness of strategies and programs to stop and reverse these trends.
Leading Infectious Disease Medical Societies Oppose Quarantine for Asymptomatic Healthcare Personnel Traveling from West Africa
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS), the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) and the Center for Global Health Policy remain opposed to mandatory quarantines being imposed on asymptomatic healthcare workers returning from Ebola-stricken countries in West Africa.
SHEA Supports Evidence-Based Measures to Prevent Ebola Transmission, Opposes Mandatory Quarantine for Healthcare Personnel
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) remains deeply concerned about the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak. The recent news about Dr. Craig Spencer’s infection, along with the infections of the many other healthcare personnel (HCP) who have risked their lives to provide care during this tragic outbreak, illustrates how difficult it is to protect HCP serving patients with severe EVD.
Automated Tracking Increases Compliance of Flu Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel
New research found tracking influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel through an automated system increased vaccination compliance and reduced workload burden on human resources and occupational health staff. The study is published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
Proper Dental Care Linked to Reduced Risk of Respiratory Infections in ICU Patients
New research shows vulnerable patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who received enhanced oral care from a dentist were at significantly less risk for developing a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), like ventilator-associated pneumonia, during their stay. The study was published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
Newest Ebola Case in a Health Care Worker Points to Need for Increased Funding for Infection Prevention Programs
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is concerned by recent confirmation of Ebola contracted by a healthcare worker treating an Ebola patient at Texas Presbyterian Hospital. Our thoughts are with the healthcare worker and her family, as well as the team of healthcare providers at Texas Presbyterian, as they work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services to prevent further spread of the disease.
SHEA Response to Institutions’ Implementation of 2010 Guideline for Healthcare Workers Infected with Bloodborne Pathogens
Since the 2010 publication of the "SHEA Guideline for the Management of Healthcare Workers Who Are Infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)" (1), additional strides have been made in the therapy of these three bloodborne pathogens. Effective treatments offer the promise of sustained virologic control, further reducing the already exceedingly small risk of transmission from an infected healthcare provider to a patient. The guideline's multidisciplinary authoring group affirms that 1) infected providers who are not conducting invasive procedures present virtually no risk to their patients, 2) providers with well‐controlled infection and who conform to specific infection prevention practices may safely perform invasive procedures, and 3) a healthcare provider's status should not be the sole determinant in his or her ability to perform duties, including exposure‐prone procedures.
SHEA Applauds California for Mandating Antimicrobial Stewardship in State's Hospitals
Recognizing the need to address inappropriate antibiotic use as a major driver of antibiotic resistance, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) applauds the state of California for stepping up and mandating hospitals in the state implement an Antimicrobial Stewardship policy and develop a physician-supervised, multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship committee by July 2015. SHEA in particular would like to recognize California State Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) for championing this cause and authoring the legislation (S.B. 1311).
SHEA Supports National Strategy to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) welcomes President Obama's Executive Order released last week. The order creates a National Strategy to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and announced of a $20 million prize to facilitate the development of rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests to identify highly resistant bacteria sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the Food and Drug Administration. SHEA believes there is no greater threat to modern medicine than losing the effectiveness of antibiotics.
SHEA Applauds White House on Efforts to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance Nationally
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is pleased to see the Obama Administration's attention and support for addressing antimicrobial resistance – a crisis that has profound impact on how we practice modern medicine.
Unnecessary Antibiotic Use in Hospitals Responsible for $163 Million in Potentially Avoidable Healthcare Costs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Premier, Inc. have released new research on the widespread use of unnecessary and duplicative antibiotics in U.S. hospitals, which could have led to an estimated $163 million in excess costs. The inappropriate use of antibiotics can increase risk to patient safety, reduce the efficacy of these drugs and drive up avoidable healthcare costs. The study is published in the October issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
Healthcare Workers Wash Hands More Often When in Presence of Peers
Nationally, hand hygiene adherence by healthcare workers remains staggeringly low despite its critical importance in infection control. A study in the October issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), found that healthcare workers' adherence to hand hygiene is better when other workers are nearby.
Bacteria responsible for dangerous bloodstream infections growing less susceptible to common antiseptic
Bacteria that cause life-threatening bloodstream infections in critically ill patients may be growing increasingly resistant to a common hospital antiseptic, according to a recent study led by investigators at Johns Hopkins. The study was published in the September issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
MRSA Colonization Common in Groin and Rectal Areas
Colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) allows people in the community to unknowingly harbor and spread this life-threatening bacteria. The inside of the front of the nose is where this bacteria is most predominant, but new research shows nearly all colonized individuals have this bacteria living in other body sites. The study was published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Cases of Drug-Resistant Superbug Significantly Rise in Southeastern U.S.
Cases of the highly contagious, drug-resistant bacteria, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), have increased fivefold in community hospitals in the Southeastern United States, according to a new study published in the August issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Expert Guidance on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
Expert guidance released today offers updated evidence reviews and recommendations for hand hygiene in healthcare facilities. The guidance is featured in the August issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology and emphasizes best practices for implementing and optimizing hand hygiene programs to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The guidance is part of the Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals: 2014 Updates produced in a collaborative effort led by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Hospital Association, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and The Joint Commission.
Recommendations Prioritize Strategies to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Thousands of critically ill patients on life support develop ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) each year. A new document released today by a consortium of professional organizations helps prioritize strategies to prevent this potentially fatal infection.