Setting of Care: Acute Care Hospital

Surveillance for Candida auris — United States, 2022–2024 (07/02/2026)

CDC reported continued growth of Candida auris in U.S. healthcare settings from 2022–2024. Clinical cases increased from 2,882 to 6,197, and screening cases increased from 6,226 to 12,432.

CDC emphasizes continued C. auris screening of high-risk patients, appropriate Transmission-Based Precautions, use of disinfectants effective against C. auris, communication of C. auris status during transfers, antifungal susceptibility testing, and strong coordination between healthcare facilities and public health to limit further transmission.

Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)

Infection Prevention and Control of Candida auris in Pediatric Settings (6/23/2026)

The guidance recommends identifying at-risk pediatric patients through targeted screening, using appropriate isolation and room-placement precautions, and coordinating closely with infection prevention and public health partners when Candida auris is suspected or confirmed. It also emphasizes prevention through meticulous hand hygiene, effective environmental cleaning and disinfection, and careful management of shared medical equipment, toys, common spaces, visitors, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and caregiver-child interactions.

VDH: Clinician Letter – Measles Outbreak Expansion and Back-to-School Immunizations (6/26/2026)

Clinician Letter: Measles Outbreak Expansion and Back-to-School Immunizations (6/26/2026)

The Virginia Department of Health announced that the Buckingham County measles outbreak has expanded to Cumberland County. Review the expanded outbreak vaccination recommendations, encourage patients to stay up to date on immunizations before the school year, and immediately report suspected or confirmed measles cases to your local health department.

VDH: Clinician Letter – Public Health Updates on Measles, Ebola Preparedness, and Travel-Associated Illnesses (6/03/2026)

Clinician Letter: Public Health Updates on Measles, Ebola Preparedness, and Travel-Associated Illnesses (6/03/2026)

  • This clinician letter provides updates on rising measles activity, Ebola preparedness, and travel-associated illnesses. Protect patients and staff by maintaining a high index of suspicion, assessing travel history, following infection control guidance, ensuring vaccination coverage, and promptly reporting suspected cases to your local health department.

CDC: Core Elements of Hospital Diagnostic Excellence (DxEx) (February 4, 2026)

  • Core Elements of Hospital Diagnostic Excellence (DxEx) (February 4, 2026)
    • The Diagnostic excellence (DxEx) provides guidance to implement actionable strategies within hospitals to enhance diagnostic accuracy through improved diagnostic reasoning, testing methodologies, and communication processes, ultimately elevating patient safety standards.
    • It encourages the implementation of systematic approaches and evidence-based practices for improving diagnostic processes, ultimately aiming to reduce errors and increase patient safety across healthcare settings.

VDH: Clinician Letter: Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia (1/21/2026)

  • The clinician letter reports that respiratory illness activity in Virginia has declined but influenza-related hospitalizations remain elevated, and clinicians should continue vaccination, testing, and prompt antiviral treatment for high-risk patients.  
  • The letter also warns of ongoing measles cases and exposures in Virginia, urging clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion, immediately isolate suspected cases, notify public health, and ensure staff and patients have documented MMR immunity.  

APIC: Updated Monkeypox Playbook (11/07/2025)

  • Recent updates to the Monkeypox Playbook include the CDC’s Traveler Health Notice advising enhanced precautions and an updated Risk/Triage Scale recommending increased awareness. Additional information covers the current global situation of monkeypox and the latest outbreak reports.

CDC: Health Alert- Use Only Sterile Ultrasound Gel for Percutaneous Procedures (5/13/2025)

  • Health Alert: Use Only Sterile Ultrasound Gel for Percutaneous Procedures (5/13/2025)
    • An ongoing multistate investigation involves the use of non-sterile ultrasound gel during ultrasound-guided percutaneous procedures. An environmental bacterium Paraburkholderia fungorum has been identified from patient cultures and non-sterile ultrasound gel products.
    • CDC recommends using only single-use ultrasound gel products labeled as "sterile" to reduce the risk of infection during ultrasonography for preparatory and procedural applications, including central and peripheral intravenous line placement, amniocentesis, paracentesis, tissue biopsies, and surgical interventions.

CMS: Proposed Rules for Prospective Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs (4/30/2025)