Editor's Note In this study, researchers developed an algorithm model that accurately identified surgical site infections (SSIs) using independent variables from electronic health record data and outcomes from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP). Researchers fit 3 models to data from patients having surgery at the…

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Editor's Note Wound photography facilitates online postoperative wound assessment for surgical site infections (SSIs) but needs refinement to make sure critical issues aren’t missed, this study finds. A total of 523 surgeons reviewed online clinical vignettes with or without wound photography to diagnose SSIs. The addition of photography did not…

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Editor's Note The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on October 18 announced the availability of free, downloadable Quick Observation Tools to help facilities prevent healthcare associated infections (HAIs). The Tools include 20 sets of quick assessment forms that…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on October 11 released as report showing progress by hospitals in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The report shows hospitals reduced: abdominal hysterectomy surgical site infections (SSIs) by 13% central line-associated bloodstream infections by 11% Clostridium difficile infections by 8% catheter-associated…

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Editor's Note In this study, a preoperative, patient-centered wellness program significantly reduced hospital acquired infections in surgical patients at an academic medical center. A total of 12,396 surgical patients were given a wellness bundle in a roller bag during preoperative screening. The bundle included chlorhexidine bath solution, immuno-nutrition supplements, an…

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In this study, researchers project that the burden of complex surgical site infections (SSIs) after primary and revision total hips and knees will increase 14% from 2020 through 2030 because of an aging population. Editor's Note In this study, researchers project that the burden of complex surgical site infections (SSIs)…

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Editor's Note In this study, a novel test method with a robotic arm was used to investigate the effect of movement, exposure type, exposure duration, procedure duration, and existence of pressure on the amount of fluid leakage at the glove-gown interface. Results show that with the exception of procedure duration,…

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Editor's Note A significant decrease in bacterial bioburden on the instrument table was found when the table was covered during static periods of nonuse and dynamic periods of active OR use in this study. Bacterial contamination of the instrument table was evaluated by settle plates in static and dynamic ORs,…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on September 11 released new infection prevention resources for podiatry and orthopedic and pain management settings. Free resources include: Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Podiatry Settings (available now). Guide to Infection Prevention in Orthopedic and Pain Management…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on September 5 announced it has refined its scoring for high-level disinfection (HLD) and sterilization to focus on process steps that post the highest risk to patients if they fail. The new scoring revisions apply to: soiled instruments enzymatic solution transportation of instruments instruments in…

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