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.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for 2020, giving 407 hospitals a 5-star rating. Four hospitals in the DICON network were awarded the 5-star rating.
DICON physicians Dr. Nick Turner, Dr. Becky Smith, and Dr. Sarah Lewis teach us about new sources of CDI, as well as how the epidemiology of C. difficle is changing in PLOS Pathogens.
The open access article can be found here.
November has been a busy month for DICON! There are now three new FAQs posted to the FAQ section of My DICON.
FAQ #41 addresses interpreting testing results of multi-step C. difficile testing, FAQ #42 covers the best isolation practices for patients colonized with C. difficile, and FAQ #43 is a Candida auris update from the DICON faculty.
Our newest faculty member, Dr. Sonali Advani, has been working to shift the focus toward healthcare-associated bloodstreem infections and the need for neonatal intensive care unit-specific NHSN definitions. Her work was published in ICHE this week and the article can be downloaded here.
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.
