What's New

FDA Approves MRSA Diagnostic Test

The FDA approved a new diagnostic test based on bacterial viability and novel technology to detect MRSA bacterial colonization. The cobas vivoDx MRSA diagnostic test may allow healthcare professionals to evaluate patients for colonization with MRSA bacteria more quickly than traditional culture-based techniques when such testing is needed. Read the FDA news release.
CDC Offering Free Webinar on Dialysis Care

The CDC and the Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition are offering a free webinar, “Bloodstream Infections, Wall Boxes, and Lessons Learned” on Tuesday, December 10, at 1-2 pm ET. Continuing Education Units are available. Register for the Webinar.
CDC Issues Alert about Legionella Risk from Hot Tub Displays

Hot tub displays at temporary events may pose a risk for Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia caused by inhaling mist containing Legionella bacteria. The CDC is alerting environmental and public health practitioners about the public health need to maintain, clean and disinfect hot tubs properly to reduce potential exposure to Legionella. Read the CDC health advisory.
FDA Approves New Antibacterial Drug for cUTI

The FDA approved Fetroja (cefiderocol), an antibacterial drug for treatment of patients 18 years of age or older with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including kidney infections caused by susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms, who have limited or no alternative treatment options. Read the FDA news release.
FDA Approves Duodenoscope with Disposable Parts

The FDA cleared for marketing in the U.S. the first duodenoscope with a sterile, disposable elevator component that will reduce the number of parts that need to be cleaned and disinfected between uses. The Pentax Medical Video ED34-i10T2 model duodenoscope is intended to provide visualization and access to the upper gastrointestinal tract to treat bile duct disorders and other upper GI problems. Read the FDA news release.
AHRQ Releases Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Toolkit

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a new toolkit to help acute care facilities develop or strengthen antibiotic stewardship programs. The toolkit employs the “Four Moments of Antibiotic Decision Making” framework, a step-by-step approach for physicians to achieve optimal antibiotic prescribing. Access the Toolkit to Improve Antibiotic Use in Acute Care Hospitals.
Leapfrog Releases Hospital Safety Grades

The Leapfrog Group released its fall 2019 Hospital Safety Grades, evaluating and comparing patient safety in more than 2,600 hospitals across the country. The report shows that for this grading period, 33 percent of hospitals earned an “A” grade. It also noted that 36 hospitals have achieved an “A” in every grading update since the first Hospital Safety Grade in 2012.
CDC Releases 2018 HAI Progress Report

The CDC published its 2018 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Progress Report. This annual update provides a summary of select HAIs across four healthcare settings. The 2018 Progress Report showed decreases in CLABSI, CAUTI, and hospital onset C. difficile infections, and no significant changes for ventilator-associated events, SSIs, and hospital onset MRSA bloodstream infections nationally among acute care hospitals from 2017-2018. The online portal also provides comparison data by care setting, HAI, and state.
Fagron Recalls LETS GEL KIT Convenience Packs

The FDA announced that Fagron Inc. is voluntarily recalling all unexpired lots of LETS GEL KIT Convenience Packs due to potential microbial contamination. This product is used as a topical anesthetic and may result in an increased chance of infection at the site of administration during open wound care. Read the FDA safety alert.
Hospital Quality Data Available for Preview until Dec 3

Hospitals that participate in the Medicare inpatient and outpatient prospective payment systems, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and PPS-exempt cancer hospitals may preview their data for the January update to the CMS Hospital Compare website from November 4 to December 3 on the QualityNet Secure Portal. Preview data also includes updated hospital quality star ratings. Read more.

Show your support for vaccines

As demonstrated by the multiple measles outbreaks around the country, misinformation about vaccines is becoming a major issue. Contact your member of the House of Representatives and tell them to support House Resolution 179.
Protect Healthcare Funding

The federal budget process is in full swing. The President has requested a $12 billion cut to HHS funding and the House of Representatives has requested a small increase. Will you have your voice heard?
Vaccines Work

Contact your state legislators today to encourage them to support pro-vaccine policies and reject proposals that would limit or delay immunizations.
Do you know the flu?

Inform your Members of Congress about the dangers of the flu and the importance of preventing the spread of this deadly virus.