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SHEA Position Statement on precautions for H1N1
SHEA Position Statement:
Interim Guidance on Infection Control Precautions for Novel Swine-Origin Influenza A H1N1 in Healthcare Facilities SHEA, APIC, and IDSA released this public statement to provide CDC and OSHA the perspective of the scientific community on H1N1 protection recommendations, which have been further complicated by the evolving knowledge of the virus and differing opinions from the occupational and public health communities. The statement also reflects the practical realities of practitioners nationwide in implementing prevention guidance in healthcare institutions. statement; letter to Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH, Director of CDC. |
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HHS Awards $17 Million in a New National Initiative to Fight Health Care-Associated Infections
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HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the award of $17
million to fund projects to fight costly and dangerous health
care-associated infections, or HAIs. HAIs are one of the most common
complications of hospital care. Nearly 2 million patients develop
HAIs, which contribute to 99,000 deaths each year and $28 billion to
$33 billion in health care costs. The most common HAI-causing
bacteria is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or
MRSA. Of the $17 million, $8 million will fund a national expansion
of the Keystone Project, which within 18 months successfully reduced
the rate of central-line blood stream infections in more than 100
Michigan intensive care units and saved 1,500 lives and $200
million. With additional funding from AHRQ and a private foundation,
the Keystone Project is now operating in all 50 states, Puerto Rico
and the District of Columbia. Specifically, the new $8 million in
funding will provide: $6 million for national efforts to expand the
Comprehensive Unit-Based Patient Safety Program to Reduce Central
Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections. The funding will allow more
hospitals in all 50 states to participate in the program and expand
the program’s reach into hospital settings outside of the ICU, and
will provide $1 million to support a demonstration project that will
help fight catheter-associated urinary tract infections. AHRQ, in
collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
also identified several high-priority areas to apply the remaining
$9 million toward reducing MRSA and other types of HAIs. Select for
a complete list of
institutions funded by
the $17 million in resources awarded and select for the
HHS press release.
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