SHEA Press Release Archives
VA Reduces Antibiotic Use In System-wide Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiative
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) reduced inpatient antibiotic use by 12 percent and decreased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics through a multi-year, system-wide antimicrobial stewardship initiative, according to a study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal for the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Common Viruses Prove Dangerous in Long-Term Care Facility
A widespread outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) at a long-term dementia care ward infected 73 percent of patients, demonstrating the serious challenges in mitigating the spread of infectious diseases in such settings.
SHEA Teams Up with CDC to Develop Outbreak Training Resources
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide training, educational resources and expert guidance for healthcare epidemiologists to respond to infectious disease outbreaks in healthcare facilities.
Infectious Diseases Experts Show Support for Policies to Improve Use of Antibiotics in the 21st Century Cures Act
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) applauds the inclusion of language in the 21st Century Cures Act to aid hospitals and health systems in the fight against antibiotic resistance in the U.S. By including “Antimicrobial Innovation and Stewardship” provision in this bill, Congress is demonstrating strong commitment to controlling the threat of antimicrobial resistance through science-based policy.
Infectious Diseases Experts Promote Effective Antibiotic Use to Combat Drug-Resistant Bacteria
Today, and every day, 63 people will die from antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States alone, according to recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Reducing Unnecessary Testing of UTIs Improves Patient Care, Saves Resources
Many hospital patients may be unnecessarily tested, and treated, for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), according to a study published November 17 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Better Use of Antibiotics Needed Throughout Healthcare Settings
Everyone, from healthcare providers to patients, have a role to play in reducing antibiotic resistance. Specifically, in order to halt the alarming trend of antibiotic resistance there is a need for well-documented and properly coordinated strategies like stewardship of antibiotics, expanded surveillance of antibiotic resistance bacteria, and investments in new drug development and diagnostic testing across all healthcare settings.
Heater-Cooler Devices Blamed for Global Mycobacterium chimaera Outbreak
A global outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera, an invasive, slow-growing bacterium, is linked to heater-cooler devices (HCD) used in cardiac surgery, according to a study published November 14 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Complete Sanitation of Robotic Surgical Instruments Virtually Impossible
It is virtually impossible to remove all contamination from robotic surgical instruments, even after multiple cleanings, according to a study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The results show that complete removal of surface contaminants from these tools may be unattainable, even after following manufacturers’ cleansing instructions, leaving patients at risk for surgical site infections.
UV Light Disinfection Significantly Reduces Clostridium difficile Incidence
Ultraviolet C light disinfection to clean unoccupied patient rooms significantly reduced C. difficile infections (CDI) in high-risk patients who later occupied those rooms, according to a study published today inInfection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
SHEA Comments on UN Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) applauds the General Assembly of the United Nations for convening the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance today in New York. SHEA remains a committed partner to addressing this significant public health challenge through programs and conferences that encourage international learning and collaboration. Keith Kaye, MD, MPH, SHEA vice president, will participate in the one-day meeting to add to the dialogue, as an infectious diseases clinician and researcher at an academic healthcare system in the United States.
Hospital Hot Water System Promotes the Growth of Legionella pneumophila
Heat exchangers installed in a hospital to conserve energy promoted growth of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) in the hot water supply, according to a new study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Pets and Children are a Potential Source of C. difficile in the Community
Household transmission of Clostridium difficile to pets and children may be a source of community-associated C. difficile infections according to findings from a new study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The study found that patients with this bacteria can colonize or infect household contacts following or during treatment for an infection.
Household MRSA Controlled through Treatment Compliance, Patient Education
A new study found that following basic hygienic practices and complying with protocols for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decolonization reduces the time to clearance of the bacteria more quickly than a treatment regimen of antibiotic ointment and antiseptic body wash.
Risk Factors Identified in Patient-to-Patient Transmission of Resistant Bacteria
Three key factors increase the risk for patient-to-patient transmission of an extremely drug-resistant bacteria known as CP-CRE, according to a new study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The research helps explain why some contacts of an infected patient acquire the dangerous bacteria while others do not.
Pet Partners Online “Infection Prevention and Control: Therapy Animal Visitation in Healthcare Settings” Course Endorsed by SHEA
Bellevue, WA July 7, 2016 – A new online training course for handlers of therapy animals that visit healthcare settings has received the endorsement of the infection prevention medical organization, The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). SHEA recommends all animal handlers in healthcare settings participate in a formal training program to address zoonotic diseases and proper hygiene, as defined in the SHEA expert guidance, “Animals in healthcare facilities: recommendations to minimize potential risks.” The guidance addresses the increased presence of animals in acute care hospitals and ambulatory medical settings related to animal-assisted therapy, animal-assisted activities, and research in the context of patient and healthcare provider safety.
Central Line Infection Prevention Bundles Reduce Number of Deadly Infections in Newborns
Infection prevention bundles, a package of evidence-based guidelines implemented in unison, are effective for reducing central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) in critical care newborn infants, according to a new study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The bundle helped reduce the number of lines placed, the duration of time used and the number of infections.
New Legionella Toolkit Puts Patients First
Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data on the frequency, location, and source of recent Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks and information on proper water management programs for buildings, including healthcare facilities. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) applauds the CDC’s efforts to protect patients from this dangerous pathogen.
New Antibiotic Stewardship Guidelines Focus On Practical Advice For Implementation
Preauthorization of broad-spectrum antibiotics and prospective review after two or three days of treatment should form the cornerstone of antibiotic stewardship programs to ensure the right drug is prescribed at the right time for the right diagnosis. These are among the numerous recommendations included in new guidelines released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Six-Step Hand-Washing Technique Found Most Effective for Reducing Bacteria
New research demonstrates that the six-step hand-hygiene technique recommended by the World Health Organization is superior to a three-step method suggested by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in reducing bacteria on healthcare workers’ hands. The study was published online today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.