Safe Healthcare Blog

Hosted by CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. If you have questions or comments about healthcare safety topics, please contact CDC-INFO at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/dcs/ContactUs/Form.

Keep Your Kids Safe: Put Medicines and Supplements, Including Gummies, Up and Away

Professional woman smiling

National Poison Prevention Week (March 17-23, 2024) is a good time for parents and caregivers to review how medicines are stored in their homes. While you may keep prescription medicines Up and Away, and out of reach and sight of young children, it’s important to remember that over-the-counter medicines and supplements, such as vitamins and Read More >

Posted on by Rachel Meyers, PharmDLeave a commentTags

6 Tips for Patients to Avoid Healthcare-Associated Infections

Patricia Stinchfield

When a loved one is hospitalized, the last thing anyone wants is for them to get an infection while receiving care. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on any given day, about 1 in 31 U.S. hospitalized patients has a healthcare-associated infection (HAI). An HAI is an infection that develops Read More >

Posted on by Patricia (Patsy) A. Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP6 CommentsTags , ,

Strengthening Infection Prevention and Control in Sierra Leone and Ethiopia

One person helps another to put on personal protective equipment

Experts are working together to bring down rates of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in low- and middle-income countries, which can be at least 3 times higher than those in high-income countries. Healthcare professionals trained in infection prevention and control (IPC) are critical to reduce HAIs and improve patient and healthcare worker safety, but many healthcare facilities Read More >

Posted on by Lindsay Tompkins and Karen Wu5 CommentsTags

Celebrating Black History and Advancing Health Equity for Safer Patient Care

Dr. TaRessa Wills

  February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions and experiences of African Americans throughout United States history. This year, CDC’s Project Firstline had the privilege of speaking with Dr. TaRessa Wills, a Black female physician, about what the observance means to her and the importance of advancing health equity to Read More >

Posted on by Mia Frederick and Brittney Foster1 CommentTags , ,

In case you missed it: Fireside Chat with CDC Director on Respiratory Virus Season

A CDC & AMA Fireside Chat

Respiratory infections such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continue to spread within communities and healthcare settings. In a recent webinar with CDC’s Project Firstline and the American Medical Association (AMA), CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen discussed the impacts of the current respiratory virus season, the importance of vaccination, and the importance Read More >

Posted on by Amy Kolwaite, PhD, ARNP, MPH, CAPT, US Public Health Service, Chief of Health Systems Strengthening, Resilience, and Training BranchTags