Respiratory Illnesses

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Yep, here we are again, in the throws of another difficult respiratory illness season! Hopefully you and yours are prepared, are taking precautions and are up to date with your vaccinations! There is a lot of controversy regarding vaccinations, I get it, that said, many of our frail elders will not survive this flu season without these vaccines. As a …

Reliability of Signs and Symptoms of Infection

Angie SzumlinskiCase Study, Health

Older adults may manifest acute illness with atypical signs and symptoms, including those that are non-localizing; however, most nursing-home residents with acute infection will also exhibit some localizing signs and symptoms of infection. Non-infectious explanations for non-localizing signs or symptoms of changes in condition should be ruled out first. Some of these changes may include: Changes in medication, Acute or …

MDROs (Not COVID)!

Angie SzumlinskiCase Study, Health

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent public health threat causing an estimated 2,868,700 infections and 35,900 deaths each year in the United States. Multi drug-resistant organisms (MDROs), including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and organisms related to antimicrobial drug use and resistance such as Clostridioides difficile, often are the causative agents in healthcare-associated infections. Studies show that these …

New Techniques Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections

Angie SzumlinskiHealth

The AHRQ’s healthcare-associated infections program funds programs and systems to aid frontline health care staff and prevent HAIs by enhancing and refining patient care methods. AHRQ’s system of grants and contracts focuses on research that improves clinicians’ ability to fight HAIs. This research makes the application of proven care methods safer for all. As a result of this research, AHRQ …