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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are alerting healthcare providers and facilities about the public health need to properly maintain, clean, and disinfect or sterilize reusable medical devices. Recent infection control lapses due to non-compliance with recommended reprocessing procedures highlight a critical gap in patient safety. Healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, and doctors’ offices) that utilize reusable medical devices are urged to immediately review current reprocessing practices at their facility to ensure they (1) are complying with all steps as directed by the device manufacturers, and (2) have in place appropriate policies and procedures that are consistent with current standards and guidelines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are alerting healthcare providers and facilities about the public health need to properly maintain, clean, and disinfect or sterilize reusable medical devices. Recent infection control lapses due to non-compliance with recommended reprocessing procedures highlight a critical gap in patient safety. Healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, and doctors’ offices) that utilize reusable medical devices are urged to immediately review current reprocessing practices at their facility to ensure they (1) are complying with all steps as directed by the device manufacturers, and (2) have in place appropriate policies and procedures that are consistent with current standards and guidelines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are alerting healthcare providers and facilities about the public health need to properly maintain, clean, and disinfect or sterilize reusable medical devices. Recent infection control lapses due to non-compliance with recommended reprocessing procedures highlight a critical gap in patient safety. Healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, and doctors' offices) that utilize reusable medical devices are urged to immediately review current reprocessing practices at their facility to ensure they (1) are complying with all steps as directed by the device manufacturers, and (2) have in place appropriate policies and procedures that are consistent with current standards and guidelines.

For the first week of National Preparedness Month, CDC is encouraging people to think about their family emergency preparedness plans! In our latest Public Health Matters post, Kelly was stuck in her car overnight with her 5 year old and twin babies during the Atlanta ice storm. Make sure your family has an emergency plan, and don’t forget preparedness plans span beyond just your home—prepare for everywhere!

Remembering the historic events of the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, CDC’s Deputy Director and Chief Medical Officer for CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response Dr. Dan Sosin sat down with Public Health Matters to talk about his experience deploying to Louisiana as a member of the United States Public Health Service. Looking back on a decade of emergency preparedness and response, Dr. Sosin shares how public health emergency response has evolved over the past 10 years.

We're at a tipping point: an increasing number of germs no longer respond to the drugs designed to kill them. Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics and lack of infection control actions can contribute to drug resistant infections such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and put patients at risk for deadly diarrhea (caused by Clostridium difficile). Even if one facility is following recommended infection controls, germs can be spread inside of and between healthcare facilities when patients are transferred from one healthcare facility to another without appropriate actions to stop spread. During this call, clinicians will hear from some of the nation’s top clinical experts on preventing antibiotic resistant infections and improving antibiotic stewardship. Join the discussion to learn about best practices that can be implemented today to protect patients from these potentially deadly infections.

It is that time of year again—time to get the kids ready to go back to school! As school supplies are stuffed in backpacks, school bus schedules are double-checked, and first day of school outfits are perfected, make sure your emergency plans are in place, too. Our latest Public Health Matters blog has tips for students and parents to be prepared in case an emergency happens during the school day.

Most travelers to Africa know to protect themselves from malaria, but malaria is far from the only mosquito-borne disease threat. Recent studies have revealed that dengue, a disease that is well recognized in Asia and the Americas, may be commonly misdiagnosed as malaria in Africa. We still have much to learn about dengue in Africa, but learning where there is risk of dengue is the first step to avoiding it. Learn more in our latest blog post.

Whether it is a weekend getaway or cross-country road trip, travel plans will involve taking to the roads this summer. Be prepared for hazardous weather that can interrupt your plans and cause dangerous driving conditions.

As you celebrate the 4th with patriotic pride, cooking out, fireworks, and enjoying time with friends and family—take a little time to think about preparedness!