???Environmental cleaning and disinfection: Cleaning the environment and using an appropriate disinfectant is critical to helping prevent the spread of pathogens that cause HAIs and protecting the well-being of patients. The use of a product that is registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proven efficacy claims is crucial. Bleach is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to kill many types of problematic organisms including C. difficile spores. Using a 1:10 bleach solution as a disinfectant is included in recommendations by APIC, SHEA and CDC to address the challenge of C. difficile.

"Each of these steps may seem like they are easy to implement, but ensuring consistent application of improvements and the rapid addressing of practice deviations take time and attention," said Carrico. "Recognizing that everyone has a stake in improving activities and ideas for successful and sustainable implementation should come from those involved in the process."

Ruth M. Carrico is an Assistant Professor with the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences and Associate Faculty with the Center for Health Hazards Preparedness and can speak on the following subject areas:

???The cost of HAIs to both hospitals and patients

???Examples of HAIs and their signs and symptoms, including the most common HAI, Clostridium difficile infection

???Strategies to help prevent the spread of HAIs, including hand hygiene, surveillance, contact precautions as well as environmental cleaning and disinfecting with bleach

???Steps hospitals should take if an HAI outbreak occurs

???Steps patients and families can take to prevent the spread of HAIs

Source: Ruth Carrico Bio