Infection Prevention

C. difficile infections at record high

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that C. difficile infections are at an all-time high and are linked to 14,000 deaths in the U.S. each…

Catching on to C. difficle

Typically caused by antibiotic therapy, Clostridium difficile is now common in hospitals. Learn how to help stop the spread of this potentially fatal infection.

CDC analysis of foodborne norovirus outbreaks

On June 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released “Vital Signs: Foodborne Norovirus Outbreaks — United States, 2009–2012.” Access the report.

CDC Ebola information digital hub

Visit the CDC’s digital hub for the latest updates and information about the current Ebola outbreak. To educate yourself about the guidelines currently recommended by the CDC, access their site…

CDC provides resources related to MERS-CoV

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released infection prevention and control recommendations related to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). As of July 12, no…

Clinical trials 101

Don’t miss the second in a four-part series on clinical trials written by nurses from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, which covers phases…

Ebola information from ANA

The American Nurses Association has compiled numerous resources and news updates about the current Ebola outbreak that can be accessed on their site by clicking here. Proper preparation and…

ECRI releases top 10 health technology hazards for 2011

ECRI Institute has released its Top 10 Lists of Health Technology Hazards for 2011: radiation therapy dose errors, alarm hazards, cross-contamination from flexible endoscopes, high radiation dose of…

Environment, health, & safety

With the growing reuse of single-use medical devices, ANA supports improvements in end-of-use product management and research on ethical and safety issues related to these devices.

FDA approves drug to treat multi-drug resistant TB

On Dec. 31, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sirturo (bedaquiline) as part of combination therapy to treat adults with multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)…

FDA approves Levaquin for plague

On April 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Levaquin (levofloxacin) to treat patients with plague. The drug was approved under the agency’s Animal Efficacy Rule, which…

FDA approves new imaging agent to help identify AD

A study of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the ICU presented at the 22nd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases found that inpatient mortality was significantly higher…

Fever-reducing drugs may help spread flu

According to a study in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the widespread use of fever reducing medications may lead to more cases of, and deaths from, influenza.…

Helping patients survive sepsis

In its early stages, sepsis can be difficult to detect. Learn about the sometimes-subtle signs and symptoms.

Hospital-acquired infections mortalities, costs

Two common conditions caused by hospital-acquired infections killed 48,000 people and ramped up health care costs by $8.1 billion in 2006 alone, according to a study released Feb.…

Issues up close – Fighting the invisible

MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and newly emerging “superbugs” are penetrating deeper into both healthcare and community settings. We need to use critical-thinking skills and rigorous infection control practices to…

Letters to the Editor – May 2009

Speaking of psychic experiences Beth Wechsler’s article “A word about patients’ psychic experiences: Listen” in the March issue deserves to be widely read and discussed. The extrasensory experiences…

MERS resources from the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published information about Middle East Respiratory System (MERS) for healthcare professionals. The information includes interim guidance, case definitions, and…

New guidelines on healthcare personnel attire

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America has issued guidance for “Healthcare Personnel Attire in Non-Operating-Room Settings,” published in the Journal of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. The…

Non-polio enterovirus resources from the CDC

There’s been a lot of talk recently about enterovirus-D68, and all nurses can benefit from being better informed about how to stop the spread of pathogens of this…

OSHA launches new safety website

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has launched its Worker Safety in Hospitals website, which include many resources to help hospitals to prevent worker injuries. Access the…

Our Readers Respond

Overcoming the fear of floating “Tips for floaters” (March 2010) accurately described the floater’s dilemma. By showing both sides of the coin—the floater’s and the staff nurses’ on…

Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Infections related to urinary catheters are the most common type of healthcare-acquired infection. The author describes his pilot study of an evidence-based intervention to reduce these infections.

Save a life-wash your hands

Did you grow up with your mother insisting you wash your hands? She was right! As nurses, we all know that the simple act of washing our hands…

Soap and water wins again

Washing your hands with soap and water instead of alcohol-based rubs is more effective for removing Clostridium difficile spores from the hands according to a study in Infection…

Study: Decreased sepsis mortality

A study published by Critical Care Medicine reports that in-hospital mortality rates for sepsis decreased from 47% between 1991 and 1995 to 29% between 2006 and 2009, a…

Study: Disinfecting caps reduce CLABSI rates

Using a disinfection cap (with isopropyl alcohol) on central line catheters significantly reduced central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates, according to a study in the American Journal of…

Study: Urinary catheterization high risk for UTI

A review article in December 2012’s Journal of Hospital Infection found that highest population-attributable risk percentage for urinary tract infection (UTI) was associated with urinary catheterization, “with the…

Take Note – August 2008

Web exclusive! A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts at www.AmericanNurseToday.com
CLABSI

Three practice bundles to reduce CLABSIs

Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a significant problem for most hospitals, despite a decade of focused improvement efforts using evidence-based guidelines. One type of HAI, central-line associated bloodstream infection…

WHO releases new hepatitis C guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released “Guidelines for the screening, care and treatment of persons with hepatitis C infection.” Access the guidelines.

Reader Survey

Please share your feedback! We’re interested to learn more about your experience with American Nurse Journal.

cheryl meeGet your free access to the exclusive newsletter of American Nurse Journal and gain insights for your nursing practice.

NurseLine Newsletter

  • Hidden

*By submitting your e-mail, you are opting in to receiving information from Healthcom Media and Affiliates. The details, including your email address/mobile number, may be used to keep you informed about future products and services.

Test Your Knowledge

Which of the following is correct about the stages of sleep?