Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Little Rock (Ark.) faced a crisis. In 2019, the rate of hospital-acquired infections significantly exceeded the hospital’s own targets and national benchmarks. Dissatisfied with these results, Cornerstone focused on the causes of these HAIs, formed a team to improve the hospital’s results, developed a Model for Enhancement, Advancement and Improvement and implemented multiple changes — which produced significant results.

Advancements in ultrasound imaging have enabled transformational digital visualization of the patient anatomy, driving a growing list of procedures across healthcare. The quality care provided by healthcare staff, the ultrasound technology they use and frontline infection prevention (IP) practices are together linked to patient outcomes. Yet recent reports from The Joint Commission (TJC) and Federal agencies are a constant reminder to review proper ultrasound IP practices. Nanosonics strives to create solutions that make IP compliance easier for staff both at the frontline and system level. 

The Infectious Disease Society of America issued eight guidelines for healthcare workers using PPE when working with COVID-19 patients. 

Eight people died and 89 more residents and staff members were infected during a COVID-19 outbreak at Geer Village Senior Community in Canaan, Conn., NBC Connecticut reported Nov. 14.

Hospitals should use insights to revise "outdated" infection prevention and control policies, a review published in Annals of Internal Medicine Nov. 9 suggested. 

In recognition of Clostridioides Difficile Awareness Month, which runs through November, Becker's compiled the latest facts and figures to know about the common healthcare-associated infection. 

Sandusky, Ohio-based Firelands Regional Medical Center has reported a COVID-19 outbreak among 11 staff members, a hospital spokesperson told Becker's on Oct. 28.

The public's support for workplace flu shot mandates has decreased since 2019, according to an Oct. 25 survey from ValuePenguin, a financial research and analysis website. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened infection risks in the hospital setting, causing some facilities to experience outbreaks among patients and staff.

Eleanor Slater Hospital in Burrillville, R.I., has suspended all visitation for 14 days after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 in the facility's Zambarano Unit, according to WPRI 12.

Experts should use what has been learned about airborne transmission of COVID-19 to change the trajectory of the flu season, wrote Linsey Marr, PhD, Oct. 19 for The New York Times.

Tiny aerosols released when breathing may play a larger role in spreading tuberculosis than coughing, which has been long thought the main route of transmission, The New York Times reports. 

Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas, said it received a flood of threats after a photo of a COVID-19 patient wearing a plastic drape over her head went viral, ABC affiliate KMID reported Oct. 14.

Health officials began notifying people Oct. 8 who may have been exposed to measles at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, after a case of the disease was reported in the facility, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 

Ahead of International Infection Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 17-23, here are the 10 most read infection control-related stories Becker's has covered since the start of 2021: 

The coronavirus has evolved to become more airborne, a possible explanation as to why variants like alpha and delta are more transmissible than the original strain, The New York Times reports. 

A team of researchers at the University of Maryland is developing a new type of personal protective equipment that is more comfortable for periods of longer use, according to an Oct. 4 press release. 

Nineteen staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at Durango, Colo.-based Mercy Regional Medical Center since July 1, a hospital spokesperson told Becker's Sept. 20.

The White House added measles to the list of diseases for which HHS and the CDC have the authority to issue federal quarantine orders, The Hill reports. 

Women's heavy breathing during labor could increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission, underscoring the importance of ensuring healthcare workers in obstetrics and gynecology have proper personal protective equipment, according to a study published Sept. 9 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.