Policy Updates

NIOSH is sponsoring the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to host a virtual public workshop, March 4-5, examining opportunities to increase the use of reusable healthcare textiles (HCTs) for PPE used in healthcare settings. Technical experts, policy makers, manufacturers, PPE users in healthcare, and others will have the opportunity to explore the potential … Continued

During this COCA call, CDC subject matter experts will present an overview of diagnostic testing and therapeutic options for COVID-19 and influenza, including eligibility, indications, and efficacy. The call is on Thursday, February 1 at 2 – 3 pm ET. Free continuing education is available. Click here for more information and to access the webinar.

Based on the significant interest in the draft recommendations for revisions to the Isolation Precautions Guidelines, CDC has asked HICPAC to reconsider some initial questions and comments before submitting the guideline into the Federal Register for public comment. In addition, CDC is working to expand the scope of technical backgrounds of participants on the HICPAC … Continued

A CDC report identified a hotel swimming pool as the source of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection outbreak in Maine in March 2023. Inadequate maintenance and monitoring of chlorine concentration likely contributed to the outbreak. Read the report in MMWR.

The CDC in collaboration with the American Medical Association, hosted a five-part webinar series to introduce the Sepsis Core Elements and share real-life examples, strategies, and best practices to help organizations successfully implement them. For those who missed the live webinars, recordings are available on the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements website. Free continuing education … Continued

A new report from Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) describes a nationwide tuberculosis (TB) outbreak reported in July 2023 caused by bone allografts containing live cells. This was the second outbreak of bone allograft–related TB in recent years and underscores the urgent need to implement improved donor screening and culture-based testing to prevent tissue-derived … Continued

Effective July 1, 2024, The Joint Commission approved new and revised requirements for the “Infection Prevention and Control” (IC) chapter for critical access hospitals and hospitals. The simplified content and structure eliminated requirements that do not add value to accreditation surveys. Read more.

The CDC is reporting increases in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in recent weeks as the prevalence of the JN.1 variant continues to rise in the U.S. and globally. While causing less severe illness than previous variants, JN.1 now accounts for approximately 62% of all currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Read the CDC update.

The FDA announced that it considers vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) to be an Established Category A method of sterilization for medical devices, recognizing VHP’s long history of safety and effectiveness. Broader use of VHP is part of the FDA’s multi-pronged approach to reducing the use of ethylene oxide (EtO) when possible. Read the FDA news release.