Stephen G. Baum

Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings

Target Population: Healthcare workers Sponsoring organizations: The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Association of Professionals in Infection Control, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America Type: Consensus statement Key Points: These recommendations are based on a literature review of studies on …

H1N1 Rapid Tests: Poor Sensitivity

Many respiratory pathogens can produce an influenza-like illness. With a sensitive and specific rapid test for influenza, the onset of outbreaks could

Non-HACEK Gram-Negative Endocarditis

Gram-negative bacillus infective endocarditis (IE) usually is caused by one of the “HACEK” organisms (Haemophilus spp., Actinobacillus

Pertussis on the Rise

Pertussis incidence has been increasing since mid-2011 in the state of Washington. The number of cases reported in early 2012 — 2520 — was 1300% higher

Reducing Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections

Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are common and often fatal (mortality rate, 12%–25%). In 2002, the CDC issued guidelines for

Clinical Characteristics of West Nile Fever

West Nile virus (WNV) infection was first identified in North America in 1999, when an outbreak caused 62 cases and 7 deaths in New York City. The

Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT)

Target Population: Healthcare workers involved in home parenteral therapy practiceSponsoring Organization: Infectious Diseases Society of AmericaType:

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in Children

Infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) gained attention with the advent of AIDS. However, most children who contract NTM infections are

Travel-Associated Yellow Fever from Brazil

Yellow fever is caused by a mosquito-borne flavivirus and is endemic in several parts of South America and sub-Saharan Africa. Although yellow fever is

A New Test for Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Use of pneumococcal vaccines for children and adults has decreased the incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia and changed the causative serotypes.