Findings of a study published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that there are distinct SARS-CoV-2 viral-specific antibody response profiles that vary based on age, with younger children exhibiting higher levels of IgG, total, and functional antibody activity than adolescents and young adults. These findings may partly explain the overall lower rate of symptoms and cases of severe disease in children …
In a study conducted in New York skilled nursing facilities over a two-week period, a three-component Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) assessment was performed virtually. The key components of the assessment were: Screening tool Telephone Infection Prevention and Control checklist COVID-19 video Infection Prevention and Control assessment (COVIDeo) Of the 92 SNFs competing the IPC screening tool and checklist, 52/92 …
The effectiveness and importance of contact precautions for endemic pathogens has long been debated, and their use has broad implications for infection control of other pathogens. Antibiotic-resistant pathogens are a serious public health concern, and the association between coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and personal protective equipment supply availability has strained infection control programs across the country. Given the role of …
The percentage of adults who had symptoms of anxiety or a depressive disorder during the past 7 days and those with unmet mental health needs during the past 4 weeks increased significantly from August 2020 to February 2021, with the largest increases among those aged 18-29 years and those with less than high school education. During January 20, 2021-February 1 …
There has been great interest in the area of geriatric emergency care programs. The first geriatric emergency department was proposed in 2007 and the first accreditation program was created in 2018 by the American College of Emergency Physicians to recognize hospitals for higher levels of geriatric care; there are now more than 170 accredited GEDs around the world. In a …
As mass vaccination campaigns against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) commence worldwide, vaccine effectiveness needs to be assessed for a range of outcomes across diverse populations in a non-controlled setting. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine cited data from Israel’s largest health care organization to evaluate the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. The study evaluated the …
Limited research has shown that the majority of patients who clear their infections of SARS-CoV-2 develop serum antibodies against the virus that last for at least several months but may decline over time. Although it has been speculated that the development of antibodies may be associated with a decreased risk of reinfection, the evidence for this hypothesis is limited and …
I recently spent a few days circling a University hospital where a family member was being treated. Visitation was limited to one person, the same person, daily. As I walked around the beautiful campus and across the street to a public park/playscape, I noticed something disturbing, facemasks and gloves disposed of in the public area, hanging from trees, settled into …
Optimizing antimicrobial use is critical to slowing the spread of resistant pathogens. In 2014, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called for acute care hospitals to implement antimicrobial stewardship programs with the goal of improving antimicrobial use to optimize infection cur rates and minimize harms. Efforts to evaluate antimicrobial stewardship programs’ effect on hospital antimicrobial use typically …
So how well do the COVID-19 vaccines protect against novel coronavirus spinoffs? “This virus is telling us it’s going to throw out a lot of mutations”, “even if we don’t have a critical situation right at the moment, there’s a real possibility that variants will continue to evolve that have the potential to avoid vaccine immunity”, said infectious disease specialist …
