NewsLine - June 2010 - (Page 15)

HAIs: Free Materials to Raise Awareness and Inprove Prevention According to the World Health Organization, at any point in time, 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from infections they acquired while in a healthcare facility—be that a hospital or other patient-care facility. Most of these healthcare-associated infections (or HAIs) fall into one of three broad categories: ventilator–associated pneumonia; surgical site infections; and cross-contamination (or contact transfer). Until recently, little emphasis was placed on eliminating the sources of HAIs due to limited HAI reporting requirements for healthcare facilities. But growing public anxiety and resulting legislation in many states has jumpstarted initiatives to combat HAIs. Among these is the HAI Education Program that has been launched by the corporation, Kimberly-Clark. Kimberly-Clark’s Program: As simple as HAI education may seem, busy doctors and nurses on the front lines can fi nd it difficult to fi nd time for scheduled programs in their facilities. To assist providers in delivering continuing education programs to staff and management, Kimberly-Clark has created a website with a wealth of helpful information and links—as part of the national infection awareness campaign, Not on My Watch. Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll fi nd in the “Tools” section of the website: • CDC Ounce of Prevention Campaign—with resources about hand-washing, cleaning and disinfection, such as the poster shown at right, plus brochures that can be downloaded free of charge Kimberly-Clark Knowledge Network Overview—includes programs that provide CE and CME credits at no cost to healthcare providers and facilities 12-Minute Video with CDC guidance for the selection and use of personal protective equipment in healthcare settings CDC Overview of HAIs Pandemic Preparedness: A Guide For Healthcare Facilities CDC (HICPAC): Guidelines for Isolation Precautions APIC Guidelines for Infection Control Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases in partnership with Reckitt Benckiser Inc., the makers of LYSOL® Brand Products Kimberly-Clark Healthc are Worker Protection Solutio ns Pandemic Prepare dness: A Guide for Healthc are Facilities Safer Healthier Ho Follow these easy ost steps to stop many me • • • • • • • An Ounce of Pre vention Keeps the Germ s Away and low-c Use Antibiotics Often Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and spreading illnesses. Clean Your Hands infectious diseases. Appropriately Antibiotics donʼt work against viruses such and ﬂu. Unnecessa as colds ry antibiotics can be harmful. Antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. es Cleaning with soap, water, and scrubbing removes dirt and most germs. However, using a disinfectant cleaner kills germs, giving even better protection. e Food Safely • Clean hands and surfaces often • Separate – donʼt cross-contaminate one food with another • Cook foods to proper temperatures • Chill – refrigerate foods promptly Get Immunized Handle and Prepar Routinely Clean and Disinfect Surfac Pets should be routinely cared for by a vet. Babies and children under age 5 should be watched carefully around pets and animals. Always hands after touching wash animals or animal waste. Be Careful with Pets Wild animals can carry deadly diseases and pass them to you and your pets. Keep your house of wild animals by free not leaving any food around. Keep garbage cans sealed. For information about ordering brochures and posters, please visit www.cdc.g ov/ounceofpreventio n Avoid Contact with Wild Animals Getting immunizat ions is easy, low-cost, and saves lives. Make sure you and your kids get the suggested by your shots doctor. safer . healthier . people™ The Direct Medical Costs of HAIs in U.S. Hospitals and the Benefits of Prevention For details about the HAI Education Program, visit www.HAIwatch.com. NewsLine 15 http://www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention http://www.HAIwatch.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - June 2010

Creating a Dynamic Community Grief Center
A Message from Don
Recent Advances in Hospice and Palliative Care Research
National Center News
HAIs: Free Materials to Improve Prevention
NHPCO's Annual Contest Now Under Way
Pediatric Standards Receives AAP Affirmation
Growth in Hospital-based PC Programs
NHPCO Board Honors Dorothy Height
People and Places
Educational Offerings - with 50+ New E-OL Courses

NewsLine - June 2010