Quality Infection Prevention Solutions

09/02/2022

Check out resources for Monkeypox on APIC website to include screening tool, APIC webinars and National conference session and links to updated resources.

In 2022, monkeypox virus began spreading across several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the U.S. As we continue to learn more about the spread of Monkeypox in the U.S., APIC will share resources to help infection preventionists in their practices. Please check back freque...

08/04/2022

How are you preparing for monkeypox at your facility?

Monkeypox Update: As of August 2, 25,391 confirmed or probable monkeypox cases have been identified in 83 countries, including 6,326 in the U.S. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3HmORDD

01/01/2022

09/14/2021

As COVID-19 vaccination wanes, Delta variant and increase vaccination breakthrough and now the Mu variant of interest many wonder what does the near future hold? What will another surge look like?

https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/mu-variant-might-escape-immunity-from-vaccines-past-infection

After the Delta surge subsides, another surge is expected, possibly from the Mu variant. If Mu completely escapes immunity from vaccines and past infections, we must resort to stringent public health strategies.

09/09/2021

COVID-19 cases are decreasing, but the overall level of community transmission in the United States remains high. The current 7-day average of daily new cases is 136,558. This is a 12.7% decrease from the previous 7-day period but still 1,076% higher than the lowest average observed in June 2021. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at helping prevent COVID-19, especially severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

If you aren’t vaccinated:

• Get vaccinated.
• Wear a mask over your nose & mouth.
• Stay at least 6 feet from others.
• Avoid crowds & poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wash your hands often.

Everyone—vaccinated or not—should wear a mask indoors in public areas with a substantial or high level of community transmission. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2Hw1EZZ.

08/31/2021

"Current guidance for the use of COVID-19 vaccines indicates that these vaccines can be co-administered with other vaccines, including influenza vaccines."

https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/advisory-committee-on-immunization-practices-issues-recommendations-for-2021-22-influenza-season/

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Issues Recommendations for 2021-22 Influenza Season Posted By: admin August 26, 2021 The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has issued its recommendations for the 2021-22 influenza season. As Grohskopf, et al. (2021) state, "Routine annua...

08/26/2021

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in more than half of U.S. states and territories, and the overall level of community transmission is high. The 7-day average of daily new cases is 142,006. This is a 2.8% increase from the previous 7-day period and 1,117.9% higher than the lowest average observed in June 2021.

Deaths from COVID-19 are also high and have been generally increasing since mid-July. The current 7-day average of daily new deaths is 864. This is an 11% increase from the previous 7-day period and 354.5% higher than the lowest average observed in July 2021.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at helping prevent COVID-19, especially severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

If you aren’t vaccinated:

✅ Get vaccinated.
😷 Wear a mask over your nose & mouth.
↔ Stay at least 6 feet from others.
🚫 Avoid crowds & poorly ventilated spaces.
🖐 Wash your hands often.

Everyone—vaccinated or not—should wear a mask indoors in public in areas with a substantial or high level of community transmission. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2Hw1EZZ.

08/24/2021

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious condition that may develop in children and adolescents who have had COVID-19. Since May 2020, 4,404 cases of MIS-C in young people ages 0–20 have been reported to CDC, and 37 young people have died. CDC is monitoring cases of MIS-C across the United States to better understand the signs of the condition. View the data on CDC’s COVID Data Tracker: https://bit.ly/CDTmis-c.

08/23/2021

A significant milestone in public health have been reached with the first FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-covid-19-vaccine

FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, now marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

08/18/2021

The U.S. level of community transmission is high. COVID-19 cases are increasing in most parts of the country. The 7-day average of daily new cases is 130,121. This is 13.2% higher than the previous 7-day period, and 1,016.8% higher than the lowest daily average in June 2021. Take actions to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If you aren’t vaccinated:

✅ Get vaccinated.
😷 Wear a mask over your nose & mouth.
↔ Stay at least 6 feet from others.
🚫 Avoid crowds & poorly ventilated spaces.
🖐 Wash your hands often.

Everyone—even vaccinated people—in areas with a substantial or high level of community transmission should wear a mask indoors in public. More: https://bit.ly/2Hw1EZZ

08/12/2021

08/11/2021

"This sharp turn has been driven in large part by the highly infectious Delta variant and low vaccination rates in many regions."

Getting transmission under control requires a community effort.

Wear your mask
Social Distance
Hand Hygiene
Surface Disinfection
Vaccinate

Be safe. Protect yourself, your family and your community. Do your part to flatten the curve.

06/07/2021

Antibiotic resistance is a public health threat. What does antibiotic stewardship look like at your facility?

New CDC research shows a decline in overall antibiotic use among nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, prescribing of specific antibiotics, including azithromycin, was higher than expected. Remember, antibiotics can save lives, but any time they are used, they can cause side effects and contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. Read more: https://bit.ly/3vqPBkE.

03/01/2021

Happy March 1st Monday. As we begin a new month let's re evaluate what works and what does not. To see change sometimes it means changing the plan. Here at Quality Infection Prevention Solutions our goal is to help healthcare facilities and leaders improve and sustain their infection prevention and control program. We provide customized solutions. No two facility has the same plan but always meeting the common goal.

02/25/2021

Overwhelmed with everything COVID-19?
Is your team stretched thin?
Behind in HAI surveillance and reporting?
Lets get on a call and evaluate your needs and how we can help.

02/24/2021

Did you recently (within the last 2 years) hire a Infection Preventionist and need the resources to support their transition into their role?

Are you an Infection Preventionist in your role for less than two years and looking for support?

Are you interested in making that career/specialty change and interested in infection prevention?

Contact us by email info@qualityipsolutions.com for more information about our program.

02/23/2021

Let's engage! Let us know what you think.
Here at Quality Infection Prevention Solutions we provide focused assessments to identify opportunities and work with facilities to improve their housekeeping/environmental services program.
Let us know how we can help.

02/23/2021

The top 5 common opportunities we have identified in regards to use of disinfectant in healthcare facilities:

1) Use of disinfectants that is not effective against COVID-19. Having a EPA number does not equate to approval for COVID-19.
2) Use of contact time specific to COVID-19 but not the overall contact time that is effective against common organisms found in healthcare facilities. While the contact time is effective for COVID-19 lets not forget about other organisms such as Norovirus, Influenza, MDROs etc...
3) Interpretation of contact time as dry time (how long to wait to dry or not touch surfaces until after that time). Contact time means how long surfaces must remain wet to be effective. This may mean possibly having to rewet surfaces to keep wet for the specific time.
4) Disinfectants requiring dilution not being done according to manufacturer instructions and/or without use of a measuring device for accuracy.
5) Disinfectants that are diluted poured into secondary containers not labeled appropriately and/or not discarded according to expiration post dilution according to manufacturer instructions.

Quick Tips from EPA:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-04/documents/disinfectants-onepager.pdf