Germs and Flu are Up; Infection Control is Down
from MSNBC
Even as the threat from drug-resistant germs continues to rise and a novel swine flu virus sweeps the country, U.S. hospitals are cutting back on staff and resources to battle potentially deadly patient infections. More

Detecting Soap Fumes from Hospital Hands
from United Press International
University of Florida researchers say they have developed a technology to monitor healthcare workers' hand hygiene by detecting soap fumes. Dr. Richard J. Melker, Dr. Donn Dennis, Dr. Nikolaus Gravenstein and Christopher Batich say their system is the first to provide real-time monitoring of hand washing. More

WHO Chief: Flu Pandemic Appears to be Happening
from AOL News
The head of the World Health Organization says the swine flu outbreak appears to have reached pandemic proportions. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan says "on the surface of it" she believes a pandemic has been reached. More

Poll: Prevention a Top Health Reform Priority for Americans
from AHA News Now
Three-quarters of Americans believe U.S. funding for prevention should be increased, according to a poll released today by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. More

FDA Warns Not to Use Skin Products Made by Clarcon Due to Bacterial Contamination Risk
from FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah, is voluntarily recalling some skin sanitizers and skin protectants marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of disease-causing bacteria found in the product during a recent inspection. The FDA is warning consumers to not use any Clarcon products. Consumers should not use any Clarcon products and should throw these products away. Analyses of several samples of over-the-counter topical antimicrobial skin sanitizer and skin protectant products revealed high levels of various bacteria, including some associated with unsanitary conditions. Some of these bacteria can cause opportunistic infections of the skin and underlying tissues. Such infections may need medical or surgical attention, and may result in permanent damage. Findings from the FDA's recent inspection of the Clarcon facility are particularly concerning because the products are promoted as antimicrobial agents that claim to treat open wounds, damaged skin, and protect against various infectious diseases. 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

1 in 4 Nursing Home Residents Carries MRSA
from Infection Control Today
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major problem in nursing homes with one in four residents carrying the bacteria, a study by Queen’s University Belfast and AntrimAreaHospital has found. Its authors say that the findings, which have been published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, highlight the need for infection control strategies to be given a higher priority in nursing homes. More

FDA Warns of 'High Levels' of Disease-Causing Bacteria Found in Certain Hand Sanitizers
from AP via FOX News
The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers Monday not to use skin products made by Clarcon because of high levels of disease-causing bacteria found during a recent inspection. More