CMS Now Requires Hospitals to Implement Antibiotic Stewardship Programs
In an effort to address the high number of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions issued annually, CMS now mandates that all hospitals implement antibiotic stewardship programs.
NYSDOH Advisory on Recommendations for BCG Live Single-Use Vials During Shortage
To address the shortage of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Live, a drug used in treatment of bladder cancer, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has issued interim infection control guidance permitting providers to treat multiple patients from the same single-use vial of BCG.
CDC Offers Infection Control Training Which Qualifies for Free Continuing Education Credits
New courses from the CDC are part of a free curriculum that includes over 40 training modules designed to address both the technical and foundational elements of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention.
CMS to Enforce Hand Hygiene Guidelines in Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Infection transmission in healthcare facilities is strongly associated with poor hand hygiene. Starting this year, CMS surveyors will issue citations when they observe any ambulatory surgery center employee failing to follow proper hand hygiene protocol.