MEMPHIS, TN—Because biologic therapies prescribed for inflammatory diseases increase the risk of activation of latent tuberculosis infections, some VAMCs recommend baseline testing of veterans starting these agents and annual testing thereafter. Several recent studies...
New Study Examines Role of Military Deployment in Global Disease Transmission
CHAPEL HILL, NC — The explosive emergence in December 2019 of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, prompted governments around the globe to restrict travel from the affected region in an attempt to limit international spread of the disease. While these efforts focused...
VAMCs Continue to Lag in HCP Flu Vaccine Mandates
ANN ARBOR, MI—The VA continues to lag behind community hospitals in mandating annual influenza vaccine for all healthcare personal, a new study suggested. The report in JAMA Network Open said requiring HCP vaccination against the flu helps limit disease spread to...
Executive Order Enlists DoD Help in Modernizing Flu Vaccine
WASHINGTON—A new executive order is aimed at increasing the manufacturing efficiency and effectiveness of flu vaccines. The DoD and Department of Health and Human Services are co-chairing a task force in the process of implementing the order signed in September by...
Respirators No More Effective Than Masks in Flu Prevention
PITTSBURGH—How effective are N95 respirators and medical masks in preventing healthcare personnel from acquiring workplace viral respiratory infections? A study in JAMA sought to answer that question. Researchers from the National Personal Protective Technology...
New Antibiotic Provides Powerful Option for Resistant Pneumonia, Skin Infections
A next-generation tetracycline, omadacycline could improve care for veterans with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).
Prescribed Opioids Increase Risk of Pneumonia in Veterans
A study looking at whether taking prescribed opioids increased pneumonia risk in veterans with HIV vs. those without came to a disturbing conclusion: The likelihood is increased in both.
DHA Releases Interim Guidance for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has released interim guidance designed to optimize clinical use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis and reduce variability in access to prophylactic medication.
With Advancing Age, Veterans with HIV Face Novel Challenges
Thirty years ago, veterans with human immunodeficiency virus and their physicians focused on survival.
Could Bilirubin Measurements Predict, Prevent CV Events in HIV Patients?
For most people, mention of bilirubin, which is formed after the breakdown of red blood cells and is eliminated by the liver, elicits thoughts of jaundice—which occurs when the compound is too high.
VA Pilots Automated Nationwide MDRO Alert System
The VA has successfully piloted a nationwide system to alert VA facilities when patients are admitted with a history of infection with two challenging multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs).
Protocols to Prevent Pathogen Transmission Often Violated in Hospitals
Precautionary practices to prevent infectious agent transmission in hospitals often fail, according to a study looking at 325 patient rooms, including some at a VAMC.
Flu Vaccination Rates Up for VA Health Care Staff, But Still Lag National Average
While the VA significantly lags behind other healthcare systems in mandating influenza vaccinations for healthcare workers, according to recent research, it is moving closer to the national average because of a directive issued last fall.
DoD Analysis Shows Flu Vaccine More Effective Than Expected in 2017
Predictions that the influenza vaccine would be largely ineffective in the U.S. based on results seen in Australia the previous summer troubled many federal infectious disease specialists going into last year’s flu season.
Zika Infection Had More Serious Effects in Older Veterans With Comorbidities
Zika virus infection had affected more than a half-million people in the Western Hemisphere by the end of 2016. Among those were more than 700 VA patients with confirmed or presumed possible infection.
VA Study: 76% of Primary Care Prescriptions Deemed Inappropriate
The VA’s success in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in its hospitals has not trickled down to its outpatient clinics.
VA Takes the Lead to Prevent Spread of Multi Drug-Resistant Organisms
The VA is leveraging its position as the country’s largest integrated healthcare system to slow the development and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO).
VA-Led Study: Absenteeism Drops With Mandatory HCP Influenza Vaccines
New research is raising questions about whether the VA is doing enough to promote influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel.
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