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INTERIM INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) PANDEMIC
The CDC no longer recommends universal masking in health care settings unless the facilities are in areas of high COVID-19 transmission. The CDC said that these updates were made to reflect the high levels of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity, as well as the availability of effective treatments and prevention tools.
Full Access: CDC
IT’S ABOUT THE PATIENTS: PRACTICAL ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP IN OUTPATIENT SETTINGS IN THE UNITED STATES
Every year in the United States (US), antibiotic-resistant pathogens are implicated in at least 35,000 deaths. In the US in 2019, 250 million oral antibiotic prescriptions were written in the outpatient setting—roughly the equivalent of eight antibiotic prescriptions for every 10 people.
Community prescribers can help move the needle on antibiotic stewardship by keeping in mind the “4 Ds”: prescribe an antibiotic for a bacterial infectious Disease, with the appropriate Drug, Dose, and Duration.
Full Access: Frontiers
SCREENING FOR SYPHILIS INFECTION IN NONPREGNANT ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS – US PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE REAFFIRMATION RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT
Reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis in the US increased from a record low of 2.1 cases per 100 000 population in 2000 and 2001 to 11.9 cases per 100 000 population in 2019. The USPSTF concludes with high certainty that there is a substantial net benefit of screening for syphilis infection in nonpregnant persons who are at increased risk for infection. Men who have sex with men or persons with HIV infection may benefit from screening at least annually or more frequently (every 3 to 6 months) if they continue to be at high risk.
Full Access: JAMA
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF FIREARM INJURIES IN THE US – THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE, REAL-TIME, ACTIONABLE DATA
This Viewpoint summarizes current data on firearm injuries in the US, discusses the limitations of available data sources, and proposes measures for a comprehensive system to track firearm injury and death. To address the ongoing epidemic of firearm violence in the US, comprehensive and actionable information about the scope and nature of firearm-related injuries is required.
Full Access: JAMA