Safe Healthcare Blog

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In case you missed it: November HICPAC Public Meeting recap

healthcare worker in a medical facility using touchless hand sanitizer

The Healthcare Infection Control Advisory Committee (HICPAC) held a public meeting Nov. 2-3, in Atlanta, Ga. Per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and as has been done throughout the HICPAC meetings, official meeting minutes will be available on the HICPAC website in the coming weeks. Until then, below is a summary of key issues from Read More >

Posted on by Mike Bell and Alex Kallen2 CommentsTags

Antibiotic Stewardship when an Allergy Label is Present Improves Our Antibiotic Care and Treatment Outcomes

Did You Know? Although 10% of the population in the U.S. reports a penicillin allergy, less than 1% of the population is truly penicillin allergic. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are often used as an alternative to penicillins. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in patients labeled “penicillin-allergic” is associated with higher healthcare costs, increased risk for antimicrobial resistance, Read More >

Posted on by Guest Author: Cosby Stone, Jr. MD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Allergy, Pulmonology, and Critical Care Medicine within the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center2 CommentsTags , , , , ,

Q&A on HICPAC’s process to update 2007 Isolation Guideline

healthcare workers wearing scrubs and masks

One way CDC protects the nation’s health is through guidelines for healthcare settings that protect patients, providers, visitors, and staff from infection. These guidelines are developed through an extensive process of scientific review and stakeholder engagement. This year, one of CDC’s advisory committees, the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), is reviewing and updating Read More >

Posted on by Mike Bell, MD, and Alex Kallen, MD, MPH15 CommentsTags

Ethiopian Hospitals Use Infection Prevention and Control Practices to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

Two hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, are demonstrating that even when access to resources is limited, commitment to infection prevention and control (IPC) practices makes combating antimicrobial resistance (AR) possible. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can cause severe, hard-to-treat infections. They were associated with almost 5 million deaths worldwide in 2019. IPC practices such as proper hand hygiene, Read More >

Posted on by Guest authors: Sophie Jones and Elizabeth Soda4 CommentsTags , , , , ,

My Daughter Died from Sepsis–Public Awareness is Critical

Allison, Daniel, and Clover Harrold

When our 9-month-old daughter, Clover, got sick with a fever in 2017, sepsis did not even cross our minds. Clover was a healthy baby and in daycare since she was 8 weeks old. When in daycare, a fever becomes a normal occurrence for children. We were told babies were little “germ factories,” and that seemed Read More >

Posted on by Allison Harrold2 CommentsTags