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Factors tied to poor outcomes for patients with C. difficile

A study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection identified factors linked to poor outcomes in hospitalized patients with Clostridioides difficile infections. The study indicates that ICU admission, older age, liver disease with ascites, colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, sodium bicarbonate therapy and parenteral nutrition are associated with major adverse clinical events. Medscape (2/16) Learn More

Engineered phages may be promising tool for hospitals

Engineered bacteriophages are emerging as a potential tool for hospitals to combat drug-resistant infections, note researchers Greg Lohman and Paul Turner in a Q&A. They discuss the realistic applications of engineered phages, including treatment of multidrug-resistant infections, environmental control and decolonization. They also examine the challenges of host specificity and need for phage cocktails, as well as the importance of regulatory planning and stewardship as engineered phages move closer to clinical use. Infection Control Today (2/16) Learn More

CDC report: W. Va. hospitals successful in reducing HAIs

A CDC report showed that health care facilities in West Virginia have made significant strides in reducing health care-associated infections. Declines were seen in central line-associated bloodstream infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections, among others. Officials said the progress was the result of better safety protocols and years of prevention initiatives. WVNews (Clarksburg, W.Va.) (2/12) Learn More

The role of communication skills in virtual health care

Virtual care is becoming a fundamental part of health care, requiring physicians to adapt communication skills to maintain strong patient relationships, according to Dr. Sarah Matt, author of "The Borderless Healthcare Revolution." Building trust and creating a sense of presence can be more challenging through a screen, but thoughtful use of virtual tools can deepen connections. Medical Economics (2/11) Learn More

Delegation is a key skill for sustainable leadership

Delegation is not merely a practical necessity but a cornerstone of effective leadership, writes executive coach Naphtali Hoff, who describes how his initial reluctance to delegate not only led to personal burnout but also limited his team's growth. Through learning to trust others with meaningful responsibilities, Hoff discovered that delegation builds organizational strength, creates leadership pipelines and prevents burnout. SmartBrief/Leadership (2/13) Learn More

Study: Cardiac MRI may help predict heart failure outcomes

Cardiac MRI can noninvasively measure mixed venous oxygen saturation, a key biomarker for heart failure, according to a study published in JACC: Advances. Researchers used cardiovascular magnetic resonance T2 mapping to create imaging-derived SvO2, which was found to be an independent predictor of heart failure hospitalization and mortality. Cardiovascular Business (2/12) Learn More

Tampa General Hospital launches innovation center

Tampa General Hospital has inaugurated its new TGH Innovation Center in Ybor City, marking a major step in establishing Tampa as a national hub for health care innovation. The 32,000-square-foot facility will host TGH's innovation team, TGH Ventures, analytics and IT teams, and Palantir's Tampa headquarters, fostering collaboration among startups, researchers and industry partners. The center features event spaces, classrooms and a "hospital room of the future" to showcase clinical advancements. CEO John Couris emphasized the center's role in addressing health care industry challenges during TGH Innovation Week. WTSP-TV (Tampa, Fla.) (2/11) Learn More

Cardiovascular Quality and Research News

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