Results from a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control suggest certification in infection control could significantly improve infection rates at healthcare facilities.
For their study, researchers assessed infection control policies and outcomes from 180 California hospitals. Results from their assessment showed hospitals with a certified infection control director had dramatically lower rates of MRSA bloodstream infections than facilities without a certified specialist. Researchers also found few infection control policies were associated with lower rates of multidrug resistant organisms.
Other findings from their assessment include the following:
• A majority of hospitals (87 percent) conducted MRSA screening upon patient admission.
• Most hospitals implemented contact precautions for confirmed C. difficile and other multidrug-resistant organisms.
• Fewer hospitals implemented presumptive isolation/contact precautions for patients with pending screenings.
For their study, researchers assessed infection control policies and outcomes from 180 California hospitals. Results from their assessment showed hospitals with a certified infection control director had dramatically lower rates of MRSA bloodstream infections than facilities without a certified specialist. Researchers also found few infection control policies were associated with lower rates of multidrug resistant organisms.
Other findings from their assessment include the following:
• A majority of hospitals (87 percent) conducted MRSA screening upon patient admission.
• Most hospitals implemented contact precautions for confirmed C. difficile and other multidrug-resistant organisms.
• Fewer hospitals implemented presumptive isolation/contact precautions for patients with pending screenings.
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