Renal Business Today

Infection Control

Infections are the second leading cause of death among dialysis patients, according to the U.S. Renal Data System. Hand hygiene, as well as ensuring that surfaces, objects, devices and equipment are properly, disinfected and sterilized, is essential in preventing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) and ensuring the safety of dialysis patients and renal professionals.

Norovirus No. 1 Cause of Outbreaks in U.S. Hospitals

WASHINGTON―Norovirus, a pathogen that often causes food poisoning and gastroenteritis, was responsible for 18.2 percent of all infection outbreaks and 65 percent of ward closures in U.S. hospitals during a two-year period, according to a new study published in the February ...More
2 days ago
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma
Needlestick Safety Still Concerns Healthcare Professionals

BETHLEHEM, Pa.—Despite legislation and continued focus across the U.S. to improve sharps safety, needlestick injuries (NSIs) resulting in the exposure to infectious disease continue to be a major issue facing all healthcare professionals. Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI, ...More
2 days ago
Posted in News, Practice Management
Researchers Creating New Ways to Fight Catheter Infections

COLLEGE PARK, Md.— Researchers at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering, backed by funding from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, are developing tools to combat catheter-based and other infections without provoking bacterial resistance to ...More
4 weeks ago
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma
AAMI Releases Proceedings from AAMI/FDA Medical Device Reprocessing Summit

In October 2011, more than 275 participants convened at the FDA headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., for a multidisciplinary AAMI/FDA Medical Device Reprocessing Summit. The summit built on an FDA public workshop on reprocessing in June 2011. For all participants, the summit ...More
January 3, 2012
Posted in News, Practice Management
Infection Prevention Product Demand Rises 5% Annually

NEW YORK—The U.S. demand for infection-prevention products and services is forecast to increase 5.1 percent annually and is expected to reach $21.4 billion in 2015, according to a new report from Reportlinker.com, "U.S. Infection Prevention Products & Services Market." ...More
December 26, 2011
Posted in News, Business
Nice-Pak/PDI Converts Plant to Zero Landfill

ORANGEBURG, N.Y.—Wet-wipe product manufacturer Nice-Pak/PDI has transformed its Orangeburg manufacturing plant into a "zero landfill" facility. ...More
December 13, 2011
Posted in News, Business
Sterilization Method for Dialyzer Membrane Increases Risk

CHICAGO—Patients who had undergone hemodialysis using dialyzers that had been sterilized with the use of electron beams were more likely to develop thrombocytopenia (an abnormally low platelet count in the blood, associated with increased risk of bleeding), according to a ...More
October 18, 2011
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Practice Management
Inexpensive Infection Control Could Save Lives, Billions of Dollars

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—Adopting an inexpensive set of infection prevention and control measures could potentially save many thousands of lives and billions of dollars, according to a study in the September 1 issue of Health Affairs. ...More
September 8, 2011
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Practice Management
Healthcare Uniforms Carry Dangerous Bacteria

JERUSALEM, Israel—More than 60 percent of hospital nurses’ and doctors’ uniforms tested positive for potentially dangerous bacteria, according to a study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. ...More
August 31, 2011
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Practice Management
Powder-Free Latex Gloves Reduce Allergy Rate in HCWs

MADISON, Wisc.—Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin investigating latex allergy in healthcare workers have demonstrated the most effective public health strategy to prevent allergic sensitization is by stopping the use of powdered latex gloves. ...More
August 25, 2011
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Practice Management