DICON provides sophisticated data analysis and metrics, access to experts in infection control, opportunities to share successful programs, and extensive educational initiatives related to infection prevention.
DICON Medical Director, Dr. Dev Anderson, worked with a team from Virginia Commenwealth Univeristy in Richmond to explore the changing landscape of infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship centered on virtual surveillance.
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the general public has been advised to wear masks or improvised face coverings to limit transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, there has been considerable confusion and disagreement regarding the degree to which masks protect the wearer from airborne particles.
DICON Medical Director, Dr. Dev Anderson, and the CDC Epicenters Program worked to evaluate the fitted filtration efficiency (FFE) of various consumer-grade and improvised face masks, as well as several popular modifications of medical procedure masks that are intended to improve mask fit or comfort.
Associate DICON Medical Director, Dr. Sonali Advani, and the DICON IP team collected and analyzed data from DICON member hospitals to assess SARS-CoV-2 preparedness in community hospitals.
WThe team performed a cross-sectional survey of infection preventionists in 60 US community hospitals between April 22 and May 8, 2020, and found several differences in hospital preparedness for SARS-CoV-2 with respect to personal protective equipment conservation strategies, protocols related to testing, universal masking and restarting elective procedures.
The NCBI listing can be found here.
Emerging evidence suggests that Black and Hispanic communities in the United States are disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A complex interplay of socioeconomic and healthcare disparities likely contribute to disproportionate COVID-19 risk.
During the past 18 years DICON has provided epidemiological data and support to more than 40 hospitals in 6 states while simultaneously learning a great deal about the challenges and opportunities for infection prevention in community hospitals.
DICON has been a long-term and valuable partner with my hospitals and me in our joint efforts to prevent hospital-acquired infections and improve patient safety.
