Swine Flu Expected to Continue Through the Summer
from Medical News Today
 Health officials said that it looks like the novel H1N1 swine flu virus will continue to spread in the US through the summer months, and then resurge in the autumn. This is different to the previous expectation that the swine flu virus would follow a seasonal flu pattern: abate in the northern hemisphere as it approached the summer, spend a few months in southern hemisphere countries that are now approaching winter, and then return to the northern hemisphere in the fall. More 
Infection Concerns Spur More Checks of Medical Equipment
from Greenville Online
Spot inspections at three Veterans Administration hospitals last month revealed that instruments used in colonoscopies and endoscopies were not properly disinfected, potentially exposing veterans to HIV and hepatitis. Nearly 11,000 veterans tested at hospitals in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee were notified they were at risk of these infections, according to Dr. John D. Daigh Jr. This kind of reusable medical equipment and other instruments are used at hospitals, outpatient surgery centers and clinics everywhere. But what measures are in place to ensure the safety of patients undergoing these procedures? More
Publications Summer Sale!
from ASHES
ASHES has created a "Power Package" that provides a 20% discount when your publications order reaches $150.00 or more. This is a great opportunity to purchase best sellers like the Practice Guidance for Healthcare Environmental Cleaning, CHESP Review Guide, Recommended Practice: Integrated Pest Management, Recommended Practice 2: Disaster Readiness. Use promotional code PUBS0920. Offer ends August 31, 2009. More
Perforated Surgical Gloves Associated With Surgical Site Infection Risk
from Science Daily
Surgical gloves that develop holes or leaks during a procedure appear to increase the risk of infection at the surgical site among patients who are not given antibiotics beforehand, according to a new article.
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ASHES Action Alert: Help Oppose Dramatic Hospital Cuts
from ASHES
President Obama recently called for nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars in additional cuts from Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals to help finance health care reform. The proposal includes $110 billion in cuts to provider updates, the bulk of which come from hospitals, in the form of an annual "productivity adjustment" (i.e., cuts to hospitals’ market basket updates), as well as a 75 percent reduction in funding for the Medicare and Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) programs – a cut of $106 billion over 10 years. More
Newly Developed Antimicrobial Peptide May Protect from Lethal Bacterial Infections
from Infection Control Today
In a new study researchers from Japan suggest that a synthetic antimicrobial peptide identified as L5 may prevent death in mice suffering from life-threatening bacterial infections, such as MRSA, by activating the host immune response. They report their findings in the June 2009 issue of the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
More.
2009 ES Week Materials Available
from ASHES
Celebrate National Healthcare Environmental Services & Housekeeping Week September 13-19, 2009. Show support and appreciation for Healthcare Environmental Services & Housekeeping Departments with exclusive gifts featuring the official ASHES theme: "Partners in Infection Prevention." Order by August 29, 2009 to ensure delivery in time for Environmental Services & Housekeeping Week. Click here to view 2009 ES Week products. ASHES receives royalties for purchases that foster the ASHES mission. More
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Product Showcase: QUICK-DRAIN™ by Bemis
 Quick-Drain™ provides safe and cost-effective disposal of liquid infectious waste. Fluid goes into the sanitary sewer at a rate of 500cc per second saving staff time. Saves money by reducing red bag waste and eliminating per-use disposal costs such as solidifiers. Connects to existing plumbing and requires no electricity. More info
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Staff Praised As Infections Continue To Fall, UK
from Medical News Today
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) commented on figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on healthcare associated infections between January and March 2009. The figures show that while infection rates are significantly lower than they were in the same quarter of last year, they are slightly higher than those of the previous quarter. More
Interferon Response May Offer Early Control of H5N1 Influenza Virus
from Infection Control Today
Researchers from Georgia suggest that the cell-signaling protein, interferon type 1, reduced H5N1 influenza virus replication in mice and may offer some degree of protection in the early stages of infection. They report their findings in the June 2009 issue of the Journal of Virology. More
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