American Journal of Infection Control

Healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens frequently carry plasmids that contribute to antibiotic resistance and virulence. The horizontal transfer of plasmids in healthcare settings has been previously documented, but genomic and epidemiologic

Physical distancing was one of the most difficult COVID-19 mitigation strategies to implement for institutes of higher education (IHE), and many IHEs dropped this protocol in fall 2021 despite the unknown risk of doing so. The purpose of this study

Recent epidemics have spurred innovations in infection prevention and control (IPC) materials, equipment, devices, and technologies, highlighting opportunities to improve routine and emergency IPC practices. The ability to critically examine how IPC

Hospital-wide universal decolonization protocols have shown to reduce healthcare-associated infections, including those caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Our facility decolonization protocol consists of a daily

An estimated 30,100 central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) occur in intensive care units and wards of U.S. acute care facilities each year. April 2020 through June 2021, the hospital-wide CLABSI Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR) was

Infection prevention employs an algorithm that includes 3 negative sputum Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) stains and 2 negative nucleic acid amplification (NAA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests along with review of clinical findings and risk factors for

Infection Prevention & Control completes an annual risk assessment for introduction and spread of Tuberculosis (TB) to guide occupational control efforts. The current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, however, do not

Immunocompromised patients are at an increased risk for opportunistic mold infections, which can be a large source of morbidity and mortality. Exposure to molds may occur within the community or healthcare environment. Clinical research definitions

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) present negative, and highly complex, consequences for patients and healthcare organizations. Following a literature review of current CAUTI prevention evidence-based practices (EBP), it was

Patients receiving care in the intensive care unit (ICU) have increased risk for developing healthcare-acquired bacteremia infections secondary to pneumonia. Oral hygiene is a key strategy in reducing the risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia. This