Illustration(s) pertain to the topic addressed in this publication, not the specific research or data presented in the publication

Benchmarking for prevention: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system experience

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality at hospitals in the United States. Surveillance of these infections identifies secular trends and provides data upon which prevention interventions can be based in order to improve patient safety. National surveillance of healthcare-associated infections was initiated in the United States in 1970.… Read more

Illustration(s) pertain to the topic addressed in this publication, not the specific research or data presented in the publication

Improving water quality can reduce pyrogenic reactions associated with reuse of cardiac catheters

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of our preintervention investigation and subsequent 19-month three-phase intervention study designed to reduce pyrogenic reactions among patients undergoing cardiac catheterization using reprocessed catheters.

DESIGN: A case-control study for the preintervention period and a prospective cohort study for the intervention period.… Read more

Illustration(s) pertain to the topic addressed in this publication, not the specific research or data presented in the publication

Antibiotic use for emergency department patients with acute diarrhea: Prescribing practices, patient expectations, and patient satisfaction

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Physicians commonly prescribe antibiotics to meet patient expectations, even when antimicrobials are unnecessary. We evaluated factors emergency physicians consider in prescribing antibiotics to patients with diarrhea and examined patient expectations, physician-perceived patient expectations, and patient satisfaction.

METHODS: Adults and children presenting with acute diarrhea to 1 of 10 academic emergency departments (EDs) were enrolled in this prospective observational cohort study.… Read more