Earlier this month, CDC released the 2018 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report based on National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data. NHSN is the nation’s most widely used HAI surveillance system by facilities, states, regions, quality groups, and national public health agencies including CDC. This annual report provides an update on previous reports, [...]
Last week, the CDC released the National and State Healthcare-associated Infection Data Report for 2015 National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data. The National Healthcare Safety Network is the nation’s most widely used Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) tracking system and is being used for care improvement by facilities, states, regions, quality groups, and national public health agencies including CDC. [...]
Our Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program and Division of Licensing Services, collaborated with the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, APIC Consulting Inc., Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), and other state partners to provide a two-day Arizona Healthcare-Acquired Conditions (HAC) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Summit. The two-day collaborative, held June 8 and June 9, brought [...]
Last Sunday our Healthcare-Associated Infections Program and Antimicrobial Stewardship Subcommittee members presented at the 2017 Arizona Pharmacy Association Annual Convention. Their presentation “Antimicrobial Stewardship Focused on Community Settings in Arizona: Ready For Prime-Time” was focused on the following discussions: Global initiatives to improve the use of antibiotics, including programs in the United States Importance of paying attention to antimicrobial stewardship in the [...]
In 2013, our Licensing and Infectious Disease Services teams partnered with the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Program to develop a day-long ADVICE Collaborative conference aimed at improving infection control practices. The ADVICE Collaborative brings together licensed dialysis providers, the dialysis network, federal partners and public health professionals to find new ways to promote infection control, build relationships, and identify how public health can [...]
The CDC estimates that antibiotic resistance is responsible for more than two million infections and 23,000 deaths each year in the United States. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are dedicated to promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials. Common antimicrobials are disinfectants and antiseptics, along with antibiotics. Effective use can lead to a decrease in patient illness and [...]
International Infection Prevention Week, October 16 to 22, raises awareness of the role infection prevention plays to improve patient safety. The 2016 theme, "Break the Chain of Infection", emphasizes how easily infections and germs can be spread from person to person, and ways to break the chain at each link. The chain of infection has [...]
… that is the question- at least when it comes to whether to take standard measures to decolonize intensive care patients with antibiotic ointments in their nose to remove Staphylococcus bugs. Hospital associated infections are a critical public health and healthcare cost problem. While we’re losing ground in our fight against obesity- we’re making progress [...]
Healthcare-associated infections are a critical public health challenge in Arizona and in the US. Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are acquired during healthcare treatment and can be devastating and even deadly- and they’re largely preventable. You may have seen the article in last week's Republic about dirty needles and their link to transmission of viruses and drug-resistant superbugs. The article [...]
Awhile back, our epidemiology and licensing team of disease detectives including Jason Lempp, Cara Christ, Vinita Oberoi, Jessica Rigler, Ken Komatsu, Kathy McCanna, Connie Belden, Ken Komatsu, and Shoana Anderson learned of a severe case of a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) through our 24-hour disease reporting system. Our team quickly contacted the county public health department which immediately began an [...]
