In this article, Dr. Saskia v. Popescu discusses some hot topics in infection prevention and control (IPC). She begins by addressing the new recommendations and approval for booster shots for COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA has approved booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer, and the CDC has updated its recommendations to include everyone aged 6 months and older to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated before the fall and winter seasons to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness. These boosters are expected to be rolled out in the next week.
Transplant-Associated Legionella Infection
Dr. Popescu then highlights an unexpected issue that has arisen – Legionnaires disease in recipients of lung transplants from a single donor. The CDC released a report on two cases of Legionnaires disease in recipients of lung transplants in 2022. The cause of death of the donor was freshwater drowning, which raised suspicions of potential donor-derived transmission of Legionella bacteria. However, no additional cases of legionellosis were identified in patients receiving organs from the same donor. Hospital water quality parameters were within expected ranges, and no disruptions were noted during the evaluation period.
Hospital Leadership Support is A Big Deal
Lastly, the article emphasizes the importance of hospital leadership support for infection prevention and control departments and programs. A survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic assessed infection preventionists’ experiences and perceptions of hospital leadership support. The results showed that 64% reported very good to excellent hospital leadership support for their IPC program. However, 49% reported feeling burned out from their work. Strong hospital leadership support was associated with lower burnout and higher perceptions of psychological safety among infection preventionists.
This article highlights the latest developments in COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, discusses a concerning case of Legionnaires disease in transplant recipients, and stresses the impact of hospital leadership support on infection prevention and control efforts. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying up to date with vaccination, monitoring for potential infections, and providing support to IPC teams.
Definitions:
– IPC: Infection Prevention and Control
– CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
– FDA: Food & Drug Administration
– Legionnaires disease: A severe form of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella.
Sources: The source article does not provide specific URLs.
