APIC Launches Online Infection Prevention Course
from Infection Control Today
The first of six online courses to educate healthcare professionals on preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is being launched by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) cause 99,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. More

Hospital Secret Shoppers Look for Hand-washing Violators
from The Boston Channel
She hits the halls like a cop on the beat. “When I first arrive on a unit I do what I call a drive-by.” Part of her job is to go undercover at Massachusetts General Hospital to make sure doctors, nurses and health care workers are washing their hands both as they enter and leave patient rooms. More

Environmental Services (ES) Department of the Year Award
from ASHES
Entries are now being accepted for the second annual Environmental Services (ES) Department of the Year Award. The award recognizes best practices in cleaning the built environment and was jointly created by Health Facilities Management magazine and the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES). Cintas Corp., Cincinnati, is sponsoring the contest. To enter the Environmental Services Department of the Year Award contest, visit this link to access the online entry form. All submitted data will be kept confidential. The deadline for completed entries is Entries due by June 5, 2009. The winner of the Environmental Services Department of the Year award will be profiled in Health Facilities Management and recognized at the ASHES Annual Conference, which will be Sept. 20-24 in Reno, Nevada. More

Infection Reduction Protocols Decrease MRSA Rates
from Nurse.com
In contrast to the widely publicized reports of the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospital settings in recent years, a new study finds a striking bit of success in fighting the bacteria. More

Hospitals Mobilizing to Fight Proposed Charity Care Rules
from The New York Times
Hospitals plan to begin a lobbying campaign this week to prevent Congress from including charity care requirements in legislation to overhaul the health care system. The Senate Finance Committee is considering a bipartisan proposal that would require hospitals to provide “a minimum annual level of charitable care” as a condition for getting or keeping the tax-exempt status available to charitable organizations. More

2009 ES Week Materials Available
from ASHES
Celebrate National Healthcare Environmental Services & Housekeeping Week September 13-19, 2009. Show support and appreciation for Healthcare Environmental Services & Housekeeping Departments with exclusive gifts featuring the official ASHES theme: "Partners in Infection Prevention." Order by August 29, 2009 to ensure delivery in time for Environmental Services & Housekeeping Week. Click here to view 2009 ES Week products. ASHES receives royalties for purchases that foster the ASHES mission. More

The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals: Implications for Infection Preventionists
from Infection Control Today
The Joint Commission is revising the 2009 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) and the 2009 Universal Protocol to clarify language and make sure that they are relevant to the settings in which they apply. This initiative to review and revise the 2009 NPSGs and the 2009 Universal Protocol is a first step in the Joint Commission’s efforts to focus on those issues that are of highest priority to safety and quality. More

Antibacterial Design Fights Hospital Bugs
from Medgadget
The British Design Council brought together a group of creators to develop product ideas to help reduce the spread of contagious diseases in clinics through design alone. Recently, the results of the collaboration were presented to the public and now can also be seen online. More