Are Patients Risking an Infection at an ASC?

Amidst the growing popularity of ambulatory surgery centers or ASC’s, there are gnawing questions. Yes, ASC’s provide valuable services, including less inpatient stays and quicker recovery times. But are we trading these benefits for safer care? In particular, there are signs that ASCs do not practice infection prevention as diligently or effectively as their acute care counterparts. With today’s emphasis on patient safety, preventable healthcare infections are simply unacceptable – regardless of the setting.

C. difficile: A Growing Threat

In just the last few years, C. difficile has become a major threat to acute care as well as long term care facilities.

ANA Releases “Swine Flu – Information for Nurses”

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has just posted “Swine Flu – Information for Nurses” on their website: www.nursingworld.org . The page provides links and articles that “nurses will find helpful in ensuring that they, their families, their patients, and their communities are most ready to respond to this outbreak of flu.”

It includes how to sign up for email alerts and RSS feeds about the swine flu, symptoms of the swine flu as well as regular flu, what to do if your patient is suspected of having the swine flu, the proper use of face masks and other PPE, the use of antivirals, how nurses can protect themselves and educate patients, and how nurses can be prepared for an emergency.

Did you know: A person is believed to be contagious 1 day before the onset of symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming sick.

Envision Inc. also has several training videos that help nurses and healthcare staff be prepared for the swine flu, and other contagious diseases. The videos can be viewed online at www.EnvisionInc.net – simply register and log in.

“Back to Basics! OSHA Fit Testing for Particulate Respirators”:  Use of N95 respirators and proper fitting as recommended by OSHA and the CDC. For nurses and all healthcare staff who are exposed to infectious diseases such as SARS, Avian Flu, Small Pox, etc.

“Fighting Respiratory Diseases: Our Best Defense”: Influenza, Avian Flu, HMPV, RSV, etc. Produced in association with APIC and includes CDC Guidelines.

“Infection Control 8 Minute Solution: Respiratory Etiquette”: Influenza, SARS and other emerging respiratory diseases. Proper respiratory etiquette to prevent the spread of these diseases. Produced in association with APIC and includes CDC Guidelines.

“Infection Control 8 Minute Solution: Hand Hygiene”: Step-by-step instruction on hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Produced in association with APIC and designed for all healthcare staff.

“Hand Hygiene: Cleaning Up Our Act”: Step-by step instruction on hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Produced in association with APIC.

“Back to Basics! Selecting and Using Personal Protective Equipment”: Types of PPE and uses for Standard Precautions as well as Isolation Precautions per OSHA and CDC. For all healthcare staff.

“From Top to Bottom: The Front Line in Infection Control”: Cleaning and disinfection, PPE and infection control procedures for Environmental Services and housekeeping staff.

ASHES releases Swine Flu Advisory for Hospital ES

With U.S. cases of Swine Flu expected to increase dramatically, it is vitally important that all hospital staff, including Environmental Services and housekeeping personnel, are ready for swine flu patients and educated about infection control practices.