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How Animals Are Helping Hospitals With Infection Control

It’s no secret that sometimes animals are inadvertently responsible for passing on dangerous—possibly even fatal—illnesses and infections to humans. From tiny ticks carrying Lyme disease to cuddly cats whose litter boxes can spread toxoplasmosis, it seems like any animal or insect can go from friend to foe in an instant. So, it might come as …

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Superbugs: “The Greatest Threat To Human Health” According To The World Health Organization

If the word “superbug” doesn’t send chills down your spine, it should. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria are growing both in number and in strength. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a list of the 12 most serious superbugs humanity is now finding itself up against. The WHO divided these 12 bacteria into three …

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The Safe Care Campaign: Raising Awareness About Infection Prevention

Before hospital-acquired infections struck three of their family members in a 10-month period—and ultimately took the life of their son, Joshua, in 2006—Armando and Victoria Nahum had no idea how much of an issue this very serious health threat is. Today, they are fighting to raise much-needed awareness about infection prevention and patient advocacy through …

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Female healthcare worker washing hands at a sink with medical equipment nearby, while a male doctor in the background speaks on a phone.

Infection Prevention: 5 Hospital Handwashing Programs That Save Lives

It’s no secret that hand hygiene programs should be a key part of any hospital’s infection prevention efforts. But, often, simply telling employees to wash up is not enough. Turning this concept into an actionable campaign can require creativity. Here are 5 hospitals who have met this challenge head-on and implemented innovative handwashing programs that …

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Healthcare professional using a hand sanitizer dispenser in a clinical setting.

How To Build A Culture Of Accountability Around Hand Hygiene

It goes without saying that hand washing is a crucial part of infection control in hospitals. But even though this is a universally accepted fact, it’s still an issue that hospitals struggle with. Getting handwashing compliance rates up to par is often more than just a matter of infection control. In fact, it’s actually part …

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"MAGNET RECOGNIZED" badge by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, with a blurred background showcasing nursing credentials.

Is Magnet Recognition Worth The Effort?

It’s an honor and an accreditation that only 8% of US hospitals can boast: Magnet recognition. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program is reserved for the select few healthcare organizations who have demonstrated excellence in nursing, innovations in professional nursing practice, and high-quality patient care. Magnet hospitals are known for patient safety …

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Patients As Healthcare Consumers—And What That Means For Hand Hygiene

It’s almost impossible to discuss the changing healthcare landscape without acknowledging the shift into consumerism. Today, Americans don’t just shop for clothing, cars, food, or homes. They shop around for their healthcare. And as cases of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) continue to make the news, they might just start wondering about hospital safety ratings. It’s yet …

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“Employees Must Wash Hands”: How Non-Healthcare Industries Tackle Hand Hygiene

You’ve heard the disheartening statistic: The hand hygiene compliance rate at US hospitals hovers around 40%. Not surprisingly, hospital-acquired infections plague some 650,000 American patients annually. Unfortunately, infections spread by poor hand hygiene aren’t exclusive to healthcare. Unclean hands—and the resulting infections—are a problem in many different industries. Here’s how 3 of the biggest industry …

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Close-up of a hand dispensing hand sanitizer from a bottle, with a blurred face in the background.

How Well Does Hand Sanitizer Work? Myths And Facts In The Hand Sanitizer Vs. Soap Debate

To Help Stop Coronavirus, Wash Your Hands Soap, water and hand sanitizer all play important roles in hand hygiene, which has been identified as a primary defense against the spread of the coronavirus. This Vitalacy blog article clarifies the facts about hand sanitizer and soap and their roles in proper hand hygiene. Does hand sanitizer …

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Hands lathering soap under a stream of water in a sink.

How Did Handwashing In Healthcare Become So Important?

Handwashing in healthcare has always been important, and that importance is becoming more recognized due to the urgent need to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. Let’s take a look at where we are today and how we got here over years of scientific discoveries and breakthroughs. Where We Are Today The relationship between clean …

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