Global Study Launched to Find Dengue Cure
Dengue fever kills up to 25,000 people each year. After 40 years of circulating the Caribbean and worldwide it has reached the US for the first time. Currently, no vaccines or drugs are available to combat the infection which is transmitted by mosquitoes. To that end, a five-year global study has been launched at Hamilton’s McMaster University to contain the virus. Infectious Disease Physician and university professor, Dr. Mark Loeb of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine was awarded a $10 million grant by the US National Institutes of Health to conduct this study. Infection can lead to fever, a flu-like condition, to dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome -- which can be life threatening.

Risk of Staph Infections
A new study findings in the July issue of Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology indicate patients are at a higher risk of contracting staph infections following surgery, including MRSA, when they have chest and brain procedures than with other types of surgical procedures. The study looked at infection rates following different types of surgeries and also determined just over half of the surgery staph infections were caused by MRSA. To read more about this topic request a copy of the article.

CHICA HANDIC Summer Sizzler
This year Tamara Johnson hosted the annual summer meeting on Friday, July 23 at her intimate country home.  The group reviewed evaluations, successes and feedback from the recently held education day capturing suggestions for next year’s venue. Agenda favourites: enjoying each other's company and networking while feasting on endless snacks and a savoury lunch!

Opportunity Knocks
"Opportunities are often missed because they come dressed in overalls and look like work." - Thomas Edison
CSICN is looking for members for its Education and Surveillance committees. If you would like to take advantage of the opportunity to work with some dynamic folks on IPAC issues, please contact us.
 
Congratulation!
We are so pleased to announce that three more members of this year's CIC study group have successfully passed the CBIC Certification Exam.  Sandy Dunnett, Nalini Agnihotri and Debbie Demizio are all members of the Niagara Health System's infection prevention and control team. Way to go, ladies!! 
 
Back To School - APIC Onine Course
On Monday, July 19, APIC ANYWHERE™ debuted two brand new on-line courses: Essentials of Infection Prevention™ (EIP) and Microbiology 101 for Infection Preventionists. EIP is the official, self-directed, comprehensive on-line competency-based program designed to provide education to a wide variety of health care workers on the basics of infection prevention. Micro 101 will help you gain an understanding of microbiological concepts that will aid decision making in infection prevention practice. For more information about these courses, visit www.apic.org/anywhere.

School Days
This past year CSICN had the opportunity to mentor a secondary student from St. Mary's High School in Hamilton. An innovative Health and Wellness course created by teacher Nancy Castura partners students with health care providers like St. Joseph's Villa, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences and most recently, CSICN. The valuable experience allows students the opportunity to interact and apply theory with practical experience. After a 4-week placement, students are required to prepare a poster board and present their findings to their peers. The course better prepares students to make informed decisions about career choices.

Palliative Care
Palliative Care patients receive care in many different venues and are predisposed to host of infections. Infection prevention and control measures are key to preventing infections in patients and health care workers. Click here to find some interesting points on the prevention and control of infections.


Infection Control Today

InfectionControlToday.com announced 14 NEW topic-specific email updates, as well the option of daily and weekly email updates. To subscribe to the newsletter click here. 

 

photo credits: istockphotos.com