What Is Causing Acute Flaccid Paralysis Syndrome in Children?

The recent increase of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in pediatric patients has parents distraught and investigators looking at more questions than answers. Typical onset includes weakness in the arms and legs, with the median age of afflicted children being four years old.

Tips and Info on AFM From an Experienced IP

Sue Dolan, RN, an infection preventionist at Colorado Children’s Hospital in Denver, has extensive experience dealing with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and the viruses that can trigger the paralytic condition. She provided tips for IPs to Hospital Infection Control & Prevention.

AFM Peaking Every Other Year

In an unusual pattern that adds to the mystery of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), the paralytic syndrome in children is peaking every other year in a fall seasonal pattern that began in 2014. Read More

Hospital-acquired Pneumonia, C. diff Leading HAIs

Significant progress is being made in reducing surgical site and urinary tract infections, but Clostridium difficile and pneumonia are entrenched in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sentinel hospitals, researchers report.

Get Patients ‘Up’ to Reduce Pneumonia, Other HAIs

The American Hospital Association’s “Up” campaign can reduce the incidence of nonventilator-associated pneumonia, the leading HAI in a recent study. The campaign urges basic interventions that reduce patient harm.

CDC Drafts Infection Control Guidelines for HCWs

The CDC has issued draft guidelines for preventing infections in healthcare workers, urging collaboration between infection preventionists and employee health professionals. The guidelines, which are open for comment through Dec. 14, recommend that occupational health services engage administration and other departments in infection prevention activities.

Presenteeism: Working Sick Appears to Be Endemic

Healthcare facilities should have specific criteria clarifying when infected healthcare workers should stay home, as gray areas and disincentives currently result in exposures to patients and colleagues, the CDC reports.