SHEA Press Release Archives
Proper Dental Care Linked to Reduced Risk of Respiratory Infections in ICU Patients
New research shows vulnerable patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who received enhanced oral care from a dentist were at significantly less risk for developing a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), like ventilator-associated pneumonia, during their stay. The study was published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
Newest Ebola Case in a Health Care Worker Points to Need for Increased Funding for Infection Prevention Programs
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is concerned by recent confirmation of Ebola contracted by a healthcare worker treating an Ebola patient at Texas Presbyterian Hospital. Our thoughts are with the healthcare worker and her family, as well as the team of healthcare providers at Texas Presbyterian, as they work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services to prevent further spread of the disease.
SHEA Response to Institutions’ Implementation of 2010 Guideline for Healthcare Workers Infected with Bloodborne Pathogens
Since the 2010 publication of the "SHEA Guideline for the Management of Healthcare Workers Who Are Infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)" (1), additional strides have been made in the therapy of these three bloodborne pathogens. Effective treatments offer the promise of sustained virologic control, further reducing the already exceedingly small risk of transmission from an infected healthcare provider to a patient. The guideline's multidisciplinary authoring group affirms that 1) infected providers who are not conducting invasive procedures present virtually no risk to their patients, 2) providers with well‐controlled infection and who conform to specific infection prevention practices may safely perform invasive procedures, and 3) a healthcare provider's status should not be the sole determinant in his or her ability to perform duties, including exposure‐prone procedures.
SHEA Applauds California for Mandating Antimicrobial Stewardship in State's Hospitals
Recognizing the need to address inappropriate antibiotic use as a major driver of antibiotic resistance, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) applauds the state of California for stepping up and mandating hospitals in the state implement an Antimicrobial Stewardship policy and develop a physician-supervised, multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship committee by July 2015. SHEA in particular would like to recognize California State Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) for championing this cause and authoring the legislation (S.B. 1311).
SHEA Supports National Strategy to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) welcomes President Obama's Executive Order released last week. The order creates a National Strategy to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and announced of a $20 million prize to facilitate the development of rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests to identify highly resistant bacteria sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the Food and Drug Administration. SHEA believes there is no greater threat to modern medicine than losing the effectiveness of antibiotics.
SHEA Applauds White House on Efforts to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance Nationally
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is pleased to see the Obama Administration's attention and support for addressing antimicrobial resistance – a crisis that has profound impact on how we practice modern medicine.
Unnecessary Antibiotic Use in Hospitals Responsible for $163 Million in Potentially Avoidable Healthcare Costs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Premier, Inc. have released new research on the widespread use of unnecessary and duplicative antibiotics in U.S. hospitals, which could have led to an estimated $163 million in excess costs. The inappropriate use of antibiotics can increase risk to patient safety, reduce the efficacy of these drugs and drive up avoidable healthcare costs. The study is published in the October issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
Healthcare Workers Wash Hands More Often When in Presence of Peers
Nationally, hand hygiene adherence by healthcare workers remains staggeringly low despite its critical importance in infection control. A study in the October issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), found that healthcare workers' adherence to hand hygiene is better when other workers are nearby.
Bacteria responsible for dangerous bloodstream infections growing less susceptible to common antiseptic
Bacteria that cause life-threatening bloodstream infections in critically ill patients may be growing increasingly resistant to a common hospital antiseptic, according to a recent study led by investigators at Johns Hopkins. The study was published in the September issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
MRSA Colonization Common in Groin and Rectal Areas
Colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) allows people in the community to unknowingly harbor and spread this life-threatening bacteria. The inside of the front of the nose is where this bacteria is most predominant, but new research shows nearly all colonized individuals have this bacteria living in other body sites. The study was published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Cases of Drug-Resistant Superbug Significantly Rise in Southeastern U.S.
Cases of the highly contagious, drug-resistant bacteria, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), have increased fivefold in community hospitals in the Southeastern United States, according to a new study published in the August issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Expert Guidance on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
Expert guidance released today offers updated evidence reviews and recommendations for hand hygiene in healthcare facilities. The guidance is featured in the August issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology and emphasizes best practices for implementing and optimizing hand hygiene programs to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The guidance is part of the Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals: 2014 Updates produced in a collaborative effort led by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Hospital Association, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and The Joint Commission.
Recommendations Prioritize Strategies to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Thousands of critically ill patients on life support develop ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) each year. A new document released today by a consortium of professional organizations helps prioritize strategies to prevent this potentially fatal infection.
SHEA Signs on to the World Alliance Against Antibiotic Resistance (WAAAR) declaration against antibiotic resistance
SHEA is a medical society that is supporting the efforts of WAAAR, a group of 700 individuals from 55 different countries representing all the key stakeholders (physicians, veterinarians, microbiologists, surgeons, pharmacists, nurses, evolutionary biologists, ecologists, environmentalists, patient advocacy groups). The primary goal of WAAAR is to raise awareness about the urgency and magnitude of the antibiotic resistance threat and to promote an international dialogue to assist in effective responses. The Alliance is dedicated to actively promoting antibiotic preservation and to raising awareness among antibiotic prescribers, politicians and policy-makers, patient safety and advocacy groups, the pharmaceutical industry, international health organizations, and the general population. Please read the declaration to find out more about this effort.
Coordinated Infection Prevention Intervention Shown to Reduce Prevalence of Drug-Resistant CRE in Long-Term Care Facilities
A new study found a nationwide effort to control carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in Israel reduced CRE cases by improving compliance of infection control standards and using a coordinated intervention focused on long-term care facilities. The study was published in the July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
New Strategies to Combat MRSA in Hospitals
New guidelines aim to reduce the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), improve patient safety and prioritize current prevention efforts underway in hospitals. This drug resistant bacterium is a common source of patient morbidity and mortality in U.S. hospitals, causing nearly twice the number of deaths, significantly longer hospital stays and higher hospital costs than other forms of the bacteria.
Expert CLABSI Guidance Adds Real World Implementation Strategies
As central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) pose a danger to vulnerable patients, infection prevention and control experts released new practical recommendations to assist acute care hospitals in implementing and prioritizing prevention efforts.
The guidance was published in the July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology and produced in a collaborative effort led by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Hospital Association, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and The Joint Commission.
Infectious Disease Experts Comment on MERS-CoV Response
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) applauds the rapid global response to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Emerging global health threats like MERS-CoV illustrate the need to maintain and increase financial support of our public health infrastructure.
Expert Guidance Strengthens Strategies to Prevent Most Common and Costly Infection
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common and costly healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in the United States. New evidence-based recommendations provide a framework for healthcare institutions to prioritize and implement strategies to reduce the number of infections.
New Expert Guidelines Aim to Focus Hospitals’ Infectious Diarrhea Prevention Efforts
With rates of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) now rivaling drug-resistant Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as the most common bacteria to cause healthcare-associated infections, new expert guidance encourages healthcare institutions to implement and prioritize prevention efforts for this infectious diarrhea. The guidelines are published in the June issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology