News in brief - July 25, 2011

CDC issues guide on infection prevention practices

Medical care in outpatient facilities has been increasing over the past few years, but too few health professionals follow standard infection prevention practices, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To help educate clinicians about minimum expectations of safe care, the CDC on July 13 released a guide and checklist tailored to health professionals in primary care offices, surgery centers and pain management clinics, among other outpatient settings.

The guide recommends that all outpatient practices ensure that at least one individual with specific training in infection control is on staff or regularly available (www.cdc.gov/hai/settings/outpatient/checklist/outpatient-care-checklist.html). That person should be involved in developing a written infection control policy and have regular communication with health professionals to address specific issues or concerns.

Additionally, the CDC encourages outpatient facilities to provide infection prevention education and training to all health care personnel and regularly evaluate the staff's adherence to infection prevention policies.

Back to top

Low health literacy leads to poor outcomes

Patients with low health literacy are less likely to take medicine correctly, and they receive fewer mammograms and influenza vaccines than individuals who have a greater understanding of their health care, says a study published online July 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine (annals.org/content/155/2/97.abstract.%20To).

Researchers examined 96 studies published between 1996 and February 2011 that measured patient health literacy and numeracy. The study defines health literacy as a set of skills that people need to function effectively in the health care environment. These skills include numeracy, which is an ability to use quantitative information for tasks such as adhering to medication regimens.

Researchers encourage policymakers and health professionals to find ways to increase patients' health literacy skills and reduce the negative effects of low health literacy on patient outcomes.

Back to top