Hospital Infections

There was a combined 20% increase in six antimicrobial-resistant hospital infections in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number of clinical cases of Candida auris increased fivefold, according to the CDC.

A collaborative effort between the departments of infection prevention and food and nutrition services at a hospital identified potential sources of foodborne infection, resulting in a reduced risk for infections, researchers reported.

In January, the CDC warned physicians to be cautious when prescribing topical antifungals in light of the recent detection of antimicrobial-resistant superficial fungal infections in the United States.

A new study identified several well-known hospital surfaces as potential sources of infection: bed rails, keyboards, rolling workstations and breakroom tables all harbored pathogenic bacteria, even after recommended cleaning.

Healio reporters filed more than 100 stories from infectious diseases meetings in 2023, most of them on the road in cities like Boston, Philadelphia, Orlando, Houston and Seattle.