Equipment amongst keys to fighting HAI's

http://www.hospitalinfection.org/press/052007lhj.html

CAN A HOSPITAL STAY MAKE YOU SICKER?

Each year 2 million patient get hospital-based infections, and 90,000 die as a result. Seventy percent of bacterial infections are resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug, and the numbers are rising. Some doctors say infections are inevitable given patients' weakened immune systems. Also, devices such as prosthetic joints are potent germ portals. "The kinds of heroic care physicians offer today involve invading skin and tissue - proven opportunities for staph bacteria to infect them," says Robert Daum, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago. Others blame hygiene. "The real issue is the meticulous cleaning of hands and very careful cleaning of equipment between patient use," says Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., chair of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID), in New York City. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cut MRS in its ICU 90 percent by isolating patients who tested positive for staph infections and having medical personnel use disposable gowns when treating them. Reaportedly the costs of doing so came to $35,000, but the hospital saved $800,000.

Duke management of Durham Regional reviewed

The board of trustees of Durham County Hospital Corp (Durnam, NC) retained Noblis Inc (Falls Church, VA) to review the first 10 years of Duke University Health System's (Durham, NC) 20-year management contract with Durham Regional Hospital (Durham, NC). The board wishes to determine whether Durham Regional has maintained its position among the state's top tertiary care community hospitals. A three-year to five-year "strategic plan" will result that will address whether to extend the lease or seek another manager. Although financial results are improving after several years of major losses, services such as inpatient pediatrics and cardiovascular care have been reduced or eliminated. Speculation has arisen that the board may consider Novant Health (Winston-Salem, NC) to replace Duke. In 2006, the Durham County Board of Commissioners initiated a separate study to examine whether Duke's upkeep of the Durham Regional facilities had met expectations. That study recommended improvements, including timely completion of a $10 million ICU renovation and the conversion of its inpatient beds from semi-private to private.

WHO and UN issue new HIV guidelines for health facilities

WHO and UNAIDS issue new guidance on HIV testing and counselling in health facilities

New recommendations aim for wider knowledge of HIV status and greatly increased access to HIV treatment and prevention

30 MAY 2007 | LONDON -- WHO and UNAIDS today issued new guidance on informed, voluntary HIV testing and counselling in the world's health facilities, with a view to significantly increasing access to needed HIV treatment, care, support and prevention services. The new guidance focuses on provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (recommended by health care providers in health facilities).