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Infectious Disease This Week |
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Saturday, December 16, 2023 11:16 AM |
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In the news this week, the FDA approved the antifungal, isavuconazonium sulfate, which is indicated for children as young as 1 year of age; the continued clinical usefulness of doxycycline; examining infectious disease consults in gram-negative bacteremia; and a clinician utilizes mobile clinics to bring care to marginalized populations. Read more. |
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U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship Issues National Occupational Framework (NOF) for IPs |
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Friday, December 15, 2023 05:45 PM |
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With infection preventionists (IPs) in short supply at the nation’s hospitals, surgical centers, and nursing homes, APIC – the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology – has provided subject matter expertise to help the Urban Institute and U.S. Department of Labor develop a first-of-its-kind framework for IP apprenticeship programs. Read more. |
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Respiratory illness levels continue to climb ahead of holidays |
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Friday, December 15, 2023 05:34 PM |
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Levels of three main respiratory viruses—SARS-CoV-2, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—remain elevated or are rising, but so far hospital occupancy remains stable, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest data updates. Read more. |
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Contaminated beds linked to increased risk of hospital-onset C diff infections |
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Friday, December 15, 2023 12:37 PM |
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A study of more than 25,000 hospitals encounters found that staying in a hospital bed that previously had a patient with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) was associated with an increased risk of hospital-onset (HO)-CDI, researchers reported today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. Read more. |
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Embracing sustainable dentistry: What your dental practice can do to help the planet |
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Friday, December 15, 2023 12:35 PM |
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Sustainable dentistry bridges dental health and environmental well-being. Read on for actionable ways your dental practice can do its part to help the planet. Read more. |
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Friday, December 15, 2023 12:32 PM |
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An interview with an infectious diseases expert on how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) impacts populations, current treatments, and best methods for prevention. Read more. |
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MMWR Weekly - December 15, 2023 |
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Thursday, December 14, 2023 06:49 PM |
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Weekly / Vol. 72 / No. 50. Read more. |
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COVID study: 40% of children still infectious after symptom resolution |
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Thursday, December 14, 2023 06:46 PM |
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A study of viral shedding dynamics in 101 children who had COVID-19 during the Omicron surge in Toronto shows that 40% were still infectious on the day after their symptoms resolved. Read more. |
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HAN - Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV Immunizations and Use of Authorized/Approved Therapeutics in the Setting of Increased Respiratory Disease Activity During the 2023 – 2024 Winter Season |
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Thursday, December 14, 2023 02:26 PM |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Read more. |
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UPMC set to begin requiring face masks due to rising RSV, flu, COVID cases |
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Thursday, December 14, 2023 11:13 AM |
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UPMC will begin requiring all employees, patients and visitors to wear face masks beginning Dec. 20, which is next Wednesday.
“UPMC is seeing an increase in cases of respiratory viruses, including Covid, influenza and RSV,” UPMC said in a written statement.
Read more. |
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Illnesses and toothbrushes: The effects of bacteria and ways to stay healthy |
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Thursday, December 14, 2023 10:57 AM |
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Wintertime brings colds, flu, and other illnesses. While the ways to keep toothbrushes clean are still debated, there are some general guidelines you can share with patients. Read more. |
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Study Highlights Need to Strengthen Infection Prevention Measures Among Health Care Professionals |
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023 11:51 AM |
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A recent study in the American Journal of Infection Control reveals errors in infection prevention adherence among health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of improved training. Read more. |
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The Power of Emergency Preparedness |
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023 11:48 AM |
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Regardless of changing conditions, employers have a responsibility to make sure their workers are well-prepared for the risks their roles may pose. Read more. |
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Visualization of airborne droplets generated with dental handpieces and verification of the efficacy of high-volume evacuators: an in vitro study |
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023 11:47 AM |
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The COVID-19 pandemic led to concerns about the potential airborne transmission of the virus during dental procedures, but evidence of actual transmission in clinical settings was lacking. This study aimed to observe the behavior of dental sprays generated from dental rotary handpieces and to evaluate the effectiveness of high-volume evacuators (HVEs) using laser light sheets and water-sensitive papers. Read more. |
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IZ Express #1,730: Polio recommendations, tick-borne encephalitis VIS, and more |
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023 11:21 AM |
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IZ Express #1,730: Polio recommendations, tick-borne encephalitis VIS, and more. Read more. |
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Preparing for the Future: NIOSH Applications of Strategic Foresight |
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023 11:08 AM |
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Change is all around us, and it is happening more intensely and more rapidly than ever before. NIOSH recognizes that many of the social, technological, economic, environmental, and political changes we experience can impact the design of work and the lives of working people.1 We also understand the benefit of proactively preparing for future changes and the implications they may bring for the practice of occupational safety and health (OSH). Read more. |
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Your ergonomics guide to a healthy lifestyle |
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Tuesday, December 12, 2023 03:51 PM |
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Dentists are often subjected to uncomfortable postures, repetitive hand motions and noisy handpieces as they care for their patients. That combination can lead to pain and hearing loss. Read more. |
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World Oral Health Day 2024: Join Toothie, the movie star, in "A Happy Mouth is…A Happy body". |
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Tuesday, December 12, 2023 03:49 PM |
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This World Oral Health Day get ready to join Toothie the beaver on a transformative journey where prioritizing oral health leads to better health overall. Read more. |
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HHS’ Office for Civil Rights Settles First Ever Phishing Cyber-Attack Investigation |
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Tuesday, December 12, 2023 03:47 PM |
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Louisiana Medical Group settles after investigation reveals large cybersecurity breach affecting nearly 35,000 patients. Read more. |
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Health workers at highest COVID risk least likely to always follow infection-control protocols, study finds |
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Tuesday, December 12, 2023 03:45 PM |
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Healthcare personnel (HCP) at the highest risk for COVID-19 were also the most likely to report their spotty adherence to infection-prevention (IP) protocols, finds a single-center study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. Read more. |
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Dr. Edward Lin Receives Award at Harvard Dental School |
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Tuesday, December 12, 2023 03:43 PM |
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Dr. Yi Te (Edward) Lin (GD’ 24), a third-year periodontal resident and lab member at Penn Engineering and Applied Sciences‘ Electrical and Systems Engineering Department, received the first-place Scientific Poster Award for Student Excellence at the prestigious Global Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry hosted by Harvard University’s School of Dental Medicine. Read more. |
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COVID-19 Pandemic Study Shows Adherence to Infection Precaution Measures Among Healthcare Personnel Varies by Job Role |
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Monday, December 11, 2023 07:35 PM |
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Researchers recommend changes to training and strategy to better protect healthcare workers in the future. Read more. |
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Answering the most-asked questions from social media: Needlesticks in the dental practice |
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Monday, December 11, 2023 07:31 PM |
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OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen’s Standard (CFR 1910.1030) states that employers must have an exposure control plan in place for this exact situation. In addition to having the plan, employers must train all employees on where the plan is kept, what’s in it, and what steps they should take if there is an exposure event. Read more. |
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Washington dental commission, dentist reach settlement on dental license |
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Monday, December 11, 2023 07:22 PM |
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The Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission and Steven Kim, DDS, entered into an agreed order on Dr. Kim's dental license. Read more. |
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Safely Using Hand Sanitizer |
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Monday, December 11, 2023 06:45 PM |
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We can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases by washing our hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds – especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing our nose. If soap and water are not available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol to help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Read more. |
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Monday, December 11, 2023 06:07 PM |
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Saliva, or spit, is made by the salivary glands and is very important for a healthy mouth. It moistens and breaks down food, washes away food particles from the teeth and gums, and helps people with swallowing. In addition, saliva contains minerals such as calcium and phosphate that help keep teeth strong and fight tooth decay. Read more. |
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How You Can Help the Opioid Crisis in Dentistry? |
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Sunday, December 10, 2023 01:28 PM |
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The ongoing opioid crisis has cast a shadow over the entire healthcare landscape, prompting a reassessment of prescribing practices across various medical fields, including dentistry. Read more. |
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Scalene Muscles: Poor Working Posture Can Lead to Pain in Hygienists |
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Sunday, December 10, 2023 01:26 PM |
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The scalene muscles can either be a dental hygienist’s friend or nemesis. When the muscles are healthy, they keep the neck positioned correctly, tilt the head side to side, and turn the head left or right. When they are an adversary, the scalene muscles can feel disabling to the upper extremities. Read more. |
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The Cleaning and Disinfection of Handheld Equipment |
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Sunday, December 10, 2023 01:23 PM |
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Handheld equipment plays a vital role in providing care at health facilities. Proper training, equipment, and procedures are imperative to guarantee safe cleaning and disinfection following use. Read more. |
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Complications from Flu Largely Preventable with Annual Flu Vaccine |
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Sunday, December 10, 2023 01:21 PM |
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The American Heart Association®, the American Lung Association®, the American Diabetes Association®, and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases are teaming up to reach those who have not yet received a flu vaccine this season with an important message: It’s not too late to protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated against flu. Read more. |
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U.S. Surgeon General Wraps Successful Nationwide College Tour, Launches 5-for-5 Connection Challenge to the American Public |
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Sunday, December 10, 2023 01:19 PM |
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United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is launching the 5-for-5 Connection Challenge, calling on Americans to take five actions over five days to build more connection in their lives. Dr. Murthy recently issued this challenge to students across the country on his “We Are Made to Connect” College Tour, which concluded just last week. Now, as we enter the holiday season, the 5-for-5 Connection Challenge aims to inspire people of all ages to build, strengthen, and prioritize their relationships. Read more. |
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Big Weed today is a whole lot like Big Tobacco in the 1950s |
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Saturday, December 09, 2023 02:37 PM |
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OK, marijuana is now legal. So where’s the public health approach? Read more.
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10 Tips for Improving Your Operatory to Make Your Life Easier |
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Saturday, December 09, 2023 02:35 PM |
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There are many needed materials and supplies involved in dental hygiene, and most of them lie within our operatories. You have oral hygiene/education instruction supplies, homecare products, sealant materials, set-ups, and other resources to name just a few. With having busy patient schedules all day, sometimes our drawers, countertops, and cabinets can become a disaster zone. Here are some tips to help make your hygiene disaster into a masterpiece. Read more. |
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More Infectious Mpox Sparks Fears Of New Global Spread — What To Know About The Deadly Virus |
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Saturday, December 09, 2023 11:49 AM |
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Clinicians and health officials across the United States should stay vigilant for a lethal strain of mpox, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Thursday, as experts worry the infectious virus variant spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could gain ground globally. Read more. |
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Infectious Disease News for This Week |
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Saturday, December 09, 2023 11:42 AM |
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This week's news looked at the medical and economic burden of AMR, why the implementation of new College of American Pathologists rules presents an opportunity for collaboration between microbiology labs and ID providers, which specific antibiotics showed the greatest associations with adverse drug reaction case reports related to C diff, and how infants with HIV could be spared from requiring lifetime ART if treated within hours of birth. Read more. |
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