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.

White House: Swine Flu Could Cause 90,000 U.S. Deaths

WASHINGTON—The A(H1N1) virus—better known as the swine flu—could infect half of the U.S. population this fall and winter and could cause 90,000 deaths, according to a report by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). ...More
August 25, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation, Practice Management
AHRQ Launches New HAI Resource Web Page

WASHINGTON—The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has launched a new Web page that features research initiatives and resources on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) for consumers and healthcare professionals. ...More
August 25, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation
H1N1 Vaccine Deliveries Delayed

The Associated Press is reporting a projected delay in the number of H1N1 flu vaccines slated to be available by mid-October. According to Health and Human Services Spokesman Bill Hall, 45 million doses will be ready with approximately 20 million more doses being shipped ...More
August 19, 2009
Posted in News, Business, Clinical & Pharma, Practice Management
HHS to Hold Meetings on HAI Prevention

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is holding a series of free meetings about the prevention and reduction healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). ...More
August 18, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation, Practice Management
MRSA May Accompany Hospital Patients Into Home Health Settings

PARIS—Infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) appears relatively common among patients discharged from the hospital into home healthcare, according to a report in the August 10/24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. ...More
August 11, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Practice Management
RBT Roundtable: Infection Control

To learn more about the state of infection control today and what can be done to improve it, Renal Business Today asked the following renal community leaders their thoughts. ...More
August 11, 2009
Posted in Articles, Business, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation, Practice Management
Baxter Completes First Commercial Batches of A/H1N1 Vaccine

DEERFIELD, Ill.—Baxter International Inc. announced that it completed production of its first commercial batches of CELVAPAN A/H1N1 pandemic vaccine in late July and is discussing plans for distribution with national health authorities, subject to obtaining appropriate ...More
August 7, 2009
Posted in News, Business, Clinical & Pharma
Nurses Association Opposes Mandatory Flu Shots for Healthcare Workers

NEW YORK—Speaking last week at a meeting of the New York State Hospital Planning and Review Council, the New York State Nurses Association strongly opposed a regulation that would require every healthcare worker in the state to be immunized for influenza. ...More
July 29, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation
Protein Helps Diagnose CKD Caused by HIV

New data collected at Columbia University Medical Center and by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine are helping researchers understand the extent to which the protein Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) can play a significant role in marking chronic kidney ...More
July 24, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma
FDA Approves Vaccine for 2009-2010 Seasonal Influenza

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a vaccine for 2009-2010 seasonal influenza in the United States. ...More
July 21, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation