Researchers track evolution and spread of drug-resistant bacteria across hospitals and continents
Science Daily
An international team of researchers has used high resolution genome sequencing to track a particularly virulent strain of MRSA as it traveled between South America, Europe and Southeast Asia. The findings shed light on how these deadly bacteria are able to spread from patient to patient in a single hospital and, on a larger scale of geography and time, between countries and entire continents.More

HHS ceases real-time bed tracking for H1N1 flu
AHA News Now
The Department of Health and Human Services announced that it has ceased using the enhanced Hospital Available Beds for Emergencies and Disasters (HAvBED) system to electronically track bed availability and other indicators of hospital stress and demand for the H1N1 flu pandemic, citing the relatively low level of flu-like illness.More

Of swine, birds and men—Pandemic H1N1 flu
Science Daily
Current research suggests that pandemic H1N1 influenza of swine origin has distinct means of transmission from the seasonal flu, yet does not result in the pathogenic severity of avian flu viruses. More

HHS to reimburse hospitals for treating Haitian evacuees
AHA News Now
The Department of Health and Human Services has activated additional components of the National Disaster Medical System to allow U.S. hospitals to receive federal reimbursement for treating Haitian earthquake survivors evacuated with life-threatening injuries. According to HHS, U.S. hospitals that admit NDMS patients are guaranteed reimbursement at 110 percent of Medicare rates. More

Your HVAC could save you millions
Health Leaders Media
More than $6.5 billion—that's how much healthcare organizations spend on energy each year, and that amount is rising to meet patients' needs, according to EnergyStar, a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through energy efficiency. As CFOs look for innovative ways to trim expenses from the budget, they should look no further than the HVAC and lighting systems.More

ASHES announces online infection control course
ASHES
This online infection control course is designed for non-clinical staff in health care facilities. The content of this program covers a wide spectrum of infection control topics – from a brief introduction to the microbiology of major organisms like Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile to transmission and prevention. Mark your calendars to participate in this course starting March 1, 2010.More

Antibiotics might team up to fight deadly staph infections
Medical News Today
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Israel's Weizman Institute of Science have found that two antibiotics working together might be more effective in fighting pathogenic bacteria than either drug on its own. More

ASHES corporate champion premieres on CBS Undercover Boss
ASHES
The new CBS reality series, UNDERCOVER BOSS, will follow Larry O'Donnell, President and COO of Waste Management, ASHES Corporate Champion. The TV show features O'Donnell as he slips anonymously into the rank and file staff of WM. The reality series will debut at a special time following the Super Bowl, Sunday, Feb. 7 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/7:00-8:00 PM, PT, time approximate after Post Game coverage) on the CBS Television Network.More

Engage in social networking - Bulletin board update
ASHES
In an effort to make the ASHES website login process more user friendly, ASHES and our bulletin board vendor have implemented a single sign-on process. Moving forward, you will only need to login to www.ashes.org to access the members only Bulletin Board. Among the discussion areas: Administration and Finance, Design and Construction, Environmental Sanitation, General, Infection Control, Patient Transport and Throughput, Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation, Sustainability, Textiles and Linen Services, and Waste.More