Policy Updates

On Thursday, May 23, the FDA will host a virtual Town Hall panel discussion on what to consider when choosing or changing methods for medical device sterilization. The meeting will be at 1:00 – 2:15 pm ET. Registration is not required. Learn more.

The CDC is hosting “LTC Townhall: Understanding Enhanced Barrier Precautions” on Wednesday, May 22 at 1 pm ET. This webinar, led by CDC experts Dr. Bola Ogundimu, Dr. Kara Jacobs Slifka, and Dr. Heather Jones, is designed for anyone involved with or working in long-term care facilities who seeks to deepen their understanding of Enhanced … Continued

The FDA sent warning letters to users and manufacturers of plastic syringes made in China. The letters to Cardinal Health, Jiangsu Shenli Medical Production Co., Medline Industries, and Sol-Millennium Medical express concern over violations related to the sale and distribution of unauthorized plastic syringes that have not been cleared or approved by the FDA for … Continued

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) published a Technical Brief summarizing definitions of long COVID and describing what is known about long COVID models of care. The brief includes models currently in use, promising approaches, advantages and disadvantages of models in different populations and settings, barriers and facilitators to implementation, access and equity … Continued

The CDC, USDA, and FDA are working together to contain and keep the public updated on the current avian influenza A (H5N1) situation in people. The CDC reports that, as of May 6 there has been no increase in bird flu cases in humans in the U.S. The USDA reports detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian … Continued

On April 22, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released long-awaited minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities.  Read the announcement.  APIC remains concerned about the lack of a required full-time infection preventionist in nursing homes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory related to the risks of counterfeit or mishandled botulinum toxin injections. They are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state and local partners to investigate clusters of 22 people in 11 U.S. states who … Continued

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has made fiscal year 2026 Early Look Performance Score Reports for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program available to download via the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). For additional information, a fact sheet, and user guide, visit the website.

On April 18, the World Health Organization issued a global consultation report updating terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air. Access the press release. Access the report.