The bug of the month for this newsletter is Acinetobacter. The Acinetobacter species of bacteria is one of a group of bacteria known as environmental gram negative bacilli. Acinetobacter is an emerging pathogen in healthcare settings. Infection with A. baumannii is the most common among organisms of this group. Click to read more...

With our fast-paced work environment, keeping up with the latest recommendations can be a challenge. We are going to review the CDC recommendations for Infection Control Practices recommended for lumbar puncture procedures which was added to Standard Precautions in the 2007 Guidelines for Isolation Precautions.

Recently, a facility was cited by CMS because of home laundry of surgical attire.

AORN in their most recent recommendation opposes home laundry of surgical attire and recommends that the attire is laundered in an accredited healthcare laundry or a healthcare approved laundry facility. Commercial laundry facilities are able to provide higher water temperatures, documentation of chemicals and temperatures and rinse cycles for their wash loads.

The weekly influenza surveillance report for the first week of January 2011 from the CDC states: "influenza activity in the United States decreased in several indicators, but it is unlikely that influenza activity for this season has peaked."

Propofol Makers Liable in Hepatitis C Outbreak Lawsuit

New recall of alcohol wipes raises larger question: Dump non-sterile products?

International Infection Prevention Week is October 16-22

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes

A Comprehensive Screening And Treatment Model For Reducing Disparities In Hepatitis B

Hepatitis victims sue over reused medical instruments

Flu vaccine mandates spur a backlash

Tighter scrutiny for outpatient surgery centers

• Where can I find the EPA list of registered disinfectants?
Answer: Currently, the EPA has 8 lists of registered disinfectants Lists A-H Lists B-G would be the most useful when looking for a product for environmental disinfectant At this time, there is not a list of registered disinfectants approved to kill C. difficile spores. http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm

• Where can I find the guidelines for managing occupational exposures.
Answer: They can be found on the CDC website. Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5011a1.htm

• What is a hands-free sharp passing?
Answer: Hands-free sharp passing is a work practice control used to reduce the risk of sharps injury related to passing of sharps. Sharp items such as blades, needles, scalpels and so forth are not passed hand to hand. A neutral area is designated in the field; the sharp is placed on a tray or other holding device in the neutral area and is picked up from the tray.

• How often should HVAC filters be changed?
Answer: The CDC guidelines for environmental infection control in Health care facilities do not specify frequency of filter changes. Neither does the AORN Recommend practices for a safe environment of care. Regularly scheduled maintenance of a facility's HVAC system is recommended. Under some circumstances, more frequent maintenance and changing/cleaning of filters may be recommended, for example, external demolition, excavation, or construction in the vicinity of a facility may necessitate more frequent maintenance.

• When should we check Hepatitis B titers?
[CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE]

• Where can I find the requirement for tracking of implants for 12 months?
Answer: You will find this comes from one of the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals. This relates to tracking for surgical site infection. NPSG.07.05.01
Element of Performance number 5 Measure surgical site infection rates for the first 30 days following procedures that do not involve inserting implantable devices and for the first year following procedures involving implantable devices. The organization's measurement strategies follow evidence-based guidelines. Note: Surveillance may be targeted to certain procedures based on the organization's risk assessment.

• What is the definition of an implant?
Answer: Below, you will find the FDA definition of a permanently implantable device. The FDA requires tracking of implantable devices to facilitate notification and recall in the event a device presents a serious risk to health that requires prompt attention. There is a list of definitions and of implantable medical devices requiring tracking on the FDA website. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/GuidanceDocuments/ucm071756.htm

FDA: Permanently implantable device (21 CFR 821.3(f)) A permanently implantable device is a device that is intended to be placed into a surgically or naturally formed cavity of the human body for more than one year to continuously assist, restore, or replace the function of an organ system or structure of the human body throughout the useful life of the device. The term does not include any device which is intended and used only for temporary purposes or which is intended for explantation in one year or less. (See section 519 (e) (1) (B), as amended by section 211 of FDAMA)

The intent of National Patient Safety Goal is to track for surgical site infection while the intent of the FDA is notification and recall. Because of these different intents, the list of implantable devices that require tracking found on the FDA website will not include all devices that need to be tracked for surgical site infection. The national patient safety goal specifically states that surveillance may be targeted to certain procedures based on the organization's risk assessment. You as an organization will need to decide which procedures involving implantable devices you will track.