Policy Updates

New World screwworm (NWS) (Cochliomyia hominivorax) flies produce larvae that feed on living tissue, causing disease primarily in animals and livestock, though humans can also be infested. NWS was eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s, in Mexico in the 1970s, and in Central America in the early 2000s. However, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and … Continued

The National Quality Forum (NQF) released the Hospital-Onset Bacteremia and Fungemia Playbook, a guide to help organizational leaders and clinical care teams in acute care settings implement or improve hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB) prevention, identification, and treatment initiatives. The release of the HOB Playbook comes as the CDC is taking steps to address HOB … Continued

CMS released a report on the study of the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative. The study uses quantitative and qualitative data to draw comparisons between AHCAH and brick-and-mortar hospitals. Access the report.

The CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) issued a Health Update to provide additional information about the outbreak of clade I mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as surrounding countries Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. Although the CDC is not recommending widespread vaccination in the U.S., it … Continued

Beginning November 1, 2024, CMS will require hospitals to electronically report information via NHSN about COVID-19, influenza, and RSV as part of the CMS Conditions of Participation (CoPs). Weekly reporting will be through the NHSN Patient Safety Component. This requirement does not apply to Long-Term Care Facilities or Dialysis Facilities and will not impact healthcare … Continued

CMS has finalized plans to revise the NHSN Antibiotic Use and Resistance (AUR) reporting measure beginning in calendar year (CY) 2025. The AUR measure will be split into two separate measures: AU surveillance and AR Surveillance. CDC will be updating its educational materials to include this update. Read more in the September NHSN Newsletter on … Continued

NIOSH honored the request of two companies to voluntarily rescind approvals of these filtering facepiece respirators (FFR). Innonix Technologies Limited: Approval numbers 84A-7641 and 84A-7796, N95 Filtering Facepieces. United States Mask, LLC: Approval number 84A-9393, N95 respirator. As of September 19, 2024, respirators bearing these NIOSH approval numbers may no longer be used, manufactured, assembled, … Continued

September 8-14, 2024, is Environment Services (EVS) Week, a time to show appreciation for the dedicated EVS personnel that ensure healthcare facilities across the country are clean, safe places for patients, their families and other staff members. Show your appreciation for your EVS team with products and resources from the Association for the Health Care … Continued

The CDC has confirmed a human case of avian influenza A(H5) reported in Missouri. This is the 14th human case of H5 reported in the U.S. during 2024 and the first case of H5 without a known occupational exposure to sick or infected animals. The patient, who had underlying medical conditions, was hospitalized, treated with influenza antiviral … Continued