CDC Launches New LTC Infection Control Website

The CDC has launched a new website to help long-term care facilities meet their infection control goals. The site offers information for clinicians, infection control coordinators and residents.

Topics on the site include, among others:

• Antibiotic stewardship
• Dialysis safety
• Hand hygiene 

Users will also find links to to the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network and other resources that the CDC developed in partnership with the Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes Campaign. 

Click here to access the site.

FDA Scrutinizing Antibacterial Soaps

In December, the FDA announced that it plans to take a closer look at antibacterial hand soaps and body washes to determine if they provide benefits beyond those of "plain" (non-antibacterial) soaps. The FDA notes that there is currently no research that supports these soaps being any more effective at preventing illness.

The agency is also concerned that chemicals commonly contained in these soaps, such as triclosan and triclocarban, might carry unnecessary risks, such as bacterial resistance to antibiotics and hormonal effects.

What you need to know now:

• Under the FDA's proposal, manufacturers of antibacterial soaps would be required to provide more substantial data to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps.
• The proposed rule would only cover consumer-grade antibacterial soaps and body washes that are used with water. It would not apply to antibacterial soaps that are designed for use exclusively in healthcare settings or alcohol-based hand sanitizers or hand wipes.
• The agency is asking consumers, clinicians, environmental groups, scientists, industry representatives and others to weigh in on this proposal in the next 180 days.

At this point, the FDA's proposal is preliminary and the agency has not officially recommended that anyone discontinue use of antibacterial soaps.

ProMed will continue to closely monitor this issue and share any updates with you. You should also know that our DermaKleen antibacterial hand soap does not contain triclosan or triclocarban. Our territory managers are ready to help you choose the ideal product for your needs as well as address any concerns you might have. To connect with us, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

To learn more, click here.

FDA Scrutinizing Antibacterial Soaps

On Monday, the FDA issued a proposed rule that would take closer look at antibacterial hand soaps and body washes to determine if they provide benefits beyond those of “plain” (non-antibacterial) soaps. The FDA notes that there is currently no research that supports these soaps being any more effective at preventing illness.

The agency is also concerned that chemicals commonly contained in these soaps, such as triclosan and triclocarban, might carry unnecessary risks, such as bacterial resistance to antibiotics and hormonal effects.

The FDA is proposing that manufacturers of antibacterial soaps be required to provide more substantial data that demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps. The agency is asking consumers, clinicians, environmental groups, scientists, industry representatives and others to weigh in on this proposal in the next 180 days, so it will be some time before a final rule is issued.

We want you to know that ProMed offers a complete range of hand soaps that do not contain triclosan, including DermaKleen. Our knowledgeable sales team is ready to meet with you to discuss your needs and help you select the best products for your facility.

We will continue to monitor the progress of this proposed rule and keep you updated.

For additional information  from the FDA, please click here.

Better Compliance Is In Your Hands

We all know that proper hand hygiene helps prevent cross contamination and the spread of illness-causing germs – but that doesn’t mean that we always take the time to do what we should. How can you drive up hand hygiene compliance in your facility?

A recent study suggests that one way is to install touch-free hand sanitizer dispensers. Researchers installed both manual and touch-free dispensers in a healthcare facility for two months and monitored how frequently each type of dispenser was used.  They found that the touch-free dispensers were used 20.8 percent more often than the manual dispensers, significantly increasing hand hygiene compliance.¹ Touch-free dispensers also have other benefits, including reduced contact contamination and less wasted product.

If you have serious concerns over hand hygiene compliance, a new, high-tech system from GOJO might be a good fit for your facility. Dubbed SMARTLINK, the wireless system tracks handwashing and sanitizing events as well as how many people enter and exit a room. The system is designed for facilities that have 100 beds or more and can work with existing RTLS systems. GOJO’s clinical team guides customized implementation of the SMARTLINK system, including an on-site audit, setup, baseline measurements and detailed improvement plans.

To learn more about how ProMed can help you improve hand hygiene compliance at your facility, give us a call at 800.648.5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com

Reference

1 Larson EL, Albrecht S, O’Keefe M. Hand hygiene behavior in a pediatric emergency department and a pediatric intensive care unit: comparison of use of 2 dispenser systems. Am J Crit Care. 2005 Jul; 14:304-11; quiz 312. 

Fight Infections with Hand Hygiene

Infections are a major problem in long-term care facilities, with an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 infections per resident occurring annually. These infections account for up to half of all nursing home resident transfers to hospitals.¹

Infectious organisms can be transmitted either through direct contact (e.g., skin to skin) or indirect contact (for example, through air, water or inanimate objects).¹ One of the easiest and most effective ways to halt infections is through proper hand hygiene. 

Depending on the situation, hand hygiene can include either washing the hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. According to the CDC, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are appropriate for use when hands are not visibly soiled and before having direct contact with residents.² 

In addition to establishing hand hygiene policies and procedures for your employees, you might also want to consider placing hand sanitizer in high-traffic areas of your facility, where interaction among staff, residents, family members and guests can increase the likelihood of germ transmission. Hand sanitizers are also now available in convenient touch-free dispensers, which can be mounted on stands and placed throughout the building. Touch-free dispensers have been shown to increase hand hygiene compliance by 20.8 percent.³ 

Your ProMed territory manager is ready to talk to you about creating a comprehensive hand hygiene program! Give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at www.promedsupply.com.

References
1 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Facilities (Rev. 70, 01-07-11). Available at: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcf.pdf. Accessed August 16, 2012. 

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings: Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. MMWR.2002;51(RR-16). 

3 Larson EL, Albrecht S, O'Keefe M. Hand hygiene behavior in a pediatric emergency department and a pediatric intensive care unit: comparison of use of 2 dispenser systems. Am J Crit Care. 2005 Jul;14:304-11; quiz 312. 

Hand Hygiene Deficiencies Linked to Staffing Levels

In a recent study, researchers tied an increase in the number of hand hygiene deficiencies observed in nursing homes to inadequate staffing levels.

The researchers found that nursing homes with proportionately fewer RNs, LPNs and aides were significantly more likely to have hand hygiene deficiencies than facilities with more staff. Additionally, nursing homes in states with lower Medicaid reimbursement rates were also more likely to have lapses in handwashing.

The study also noted that inspectors, spurred by increased awareness of healthcare-acquired infections, are becoming more vigilant about looking for hand hygiene lapses. Between 2000 and 2002, inspectors issued hand hygiene deficiencies in fewer than 7.4 percent of facilities. By 2009, that number had jumped to 12 percent.

To learn more, click here.