Tag: Infection Prevention

FDA issues tissue, cell donation recommendations to reduce Zika virus risk

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 1 released new guidelines to prevent the transmission of the Zika virus from human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products. The guidance addresses both living and deceased donations of corneas, bone, skin, heart valves, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, gestational tissues…

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By: Judy Mathias
March 3, 2016
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Total hip too soon after steroid injection increases SSI risk

Editor's Note The risk of developing a surgical site infection (SSI) increased significantly in patients who had a total hip within 3 months of receiving a steroid injection in the hip joint, finds this study presented March 2 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Analyzing…

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By: Judy Mathias
March 2, 2016
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FDA: Facilities should transition from Custom Ultrasonics endoscope reprocessors

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 23 updated its Safety Communication on the November 2015 recall of Custom Ultrasonics automated endoscope reprocessors. The update recommends that healthcare facilities transition to alternative methods to reprocess flexible endoscopes as soon as possible. In November, the FDA cited violations…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 25, 2016
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Proper packaging ensures integrity of sterilization

Sterilization packaging is considered a medical device and thus it must undergo validation testing before being used in healthcare facilities. To ensure proper packaging that will maintain the integrity of sterilization, consult the packaging manufacturers’ instructions for use (IFU) and follow the sterilization standards and guidelines from the Association for…

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By: OR Manager
February 19, 2016
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SGNA releases two new infection prevention standards

Editor's Note The Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) has released two new standards focused on infection prevention. The revised “Standards of Infection Prevention in Reprocessing of Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes” details nine steps for successful reprocessing. The previous standard had eight steps—visual inspection used to be included with manual…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 18, 2016
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FDA issues blood donation recommendations for Zika virus

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration on February 16 issued a new guidance recommending the deferral of individuals from donating blood if they have: been to areas with active Zika virus transmission potentially been exposed to the virus had a confirmed Zika virus infection. The FDA is issuing these…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 17, 2016
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Contamination of drugs during administration by anesthesiologists

Editor's Note In this study, researchers found microorganisms with the potential to cause infections being injected into patients during administration of drugs by anesthesiologists during surgical procedures. The study included 23 anesthesiologists, each anesthetizing up to 25 patients. The anesthesiologists were asked to inject all bolus drugs, except propofol and…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 12, 2016
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Surgical patients at Denver hospital possibly exposed to HIV, hepatitis

Editor's Note Denver's Swedish Medical Center is asking some 2,900 surgical patients to get tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C after finding that an OR employee may have stolen narcotics, the February 3 Denver Post reports. Surgical technologist, 28-year-old Rocky Allen worked in the OR from August 17,…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 8, 2016
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Chlorhexidine better than iodine to prevent SSIs after C-sections

Editor's Note The use of chlorhexidine and alcohol for preoperative skin preparation resulted in a significantly lower risk of surgical site infections (SSIs)  after cesarean deliveries than iodine and alcohol in this study. Those who had the chlorhexidine prep had a 4% infection rate, which is nearly half that of…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 5, 2016
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FDA posts updated information on duodenoscope reprocessors

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 1 posted updated information on which manufacturers of automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) for duodenoscopes have completed validation testing with adequate results. There are five companies in the US that manufacture AERs labeled to reprocess duodenoscopes. Companies that have completed their…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 2, 2016
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