Founded in 1959 and published by Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, Consumers Digest was an American magazine . It was based in Chicago . The last issue was published in February 2019.
88-443: The magazine had no subscribers and did not test the products they select as 'Best Buys'. Instead, companies paid Consumers Digest for the right to promote their products as 'Best Buys'. They relied on consumer confusion of their name with the well-known Consumer Reports magazine, published by the nonprofit organization Consumers Union . Consumers Digest Communications is a privately owned, for-profit business entity. The magazine
176-443: A CR test. In 2010, CR rated the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV unsafe after the vehicle failed one of the magazine's emergency safety tests. Toyota temporarily suspended sales of the vehicle, and after conducting its own test acknowledged the problem and issued a recall for the vehicle, which later passed a CR re-test. In 2016, CR found wildly inconsistent battery life in its testing of Apple's 2016 MacBook Pro . This led to
264-668: A hand hygiene protocol has to be enforced. To reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections, the state of Maryland implemented the Maryland Hospital-Acquired Conditions Program that provides financial rewards and penalties for individual hospitals. An adaptation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services payment policy causes poor-performing hospitals to lose up to 3% of their inpatient revenues, whereas hospitals that are able to decrease hospital-acquired infections can earn up to 3% in rewards. During
352-667: A $ 375,000 grant from an environmental group, the Climate Imperative Foundation, to examine gas stoves and indoor air quality, which resulted in the publication of an article entitled "Is Your Gas Range a Health Risk?" published on Oct. 4, 2022, with a note indicating that the article was funded in part by a grant from the Climate Imperative Foundation. This article appeared prior to an Oct. 25 memo by Consumer Products Safety Commission Commissioner Richard L. Trumka entitled 'Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Ban Gas Stoves'. Consumer Reports does not allow outside advertising in
440-430: A car recall tracker and personalized content. An additional base of online members join for free and received guidance on a range of products (e.g. gas grills, washing machines) at no charge. CR has also launched several advocacy websites, including HearUsNow.org, which helps consumers with telecommunications policy matters. In March 2005, CR campaign PrescriptionforChange.org released " Drugs I Need ", an animated short with
528-523: A case. In 1971, Bose Corporation sued Consumer Reports ( CR ) for libel after CR reported in a review that the sound from the system it reviewed "tended to wander about the room". The case eventually reached the United States Supreme Court , which affirmed in Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union of United States, Inc. that CR 's statement was made without actual malice and therefore
616-532: A kids' version of Consumer Reports called Penny Power , later changed to Zillions . This publication was similar to Consumer Reports but served a younger audience. At its peak, the magazine covered close to 350,000 subscribers. It gave children financial advice for budgeting their allowances and saving for a big purchase, reviewed kid-oriented consumer products (e.g., toys, clothes, electronics, food, videogames, etc.), and generally promoted smart consumerism in kids and teens; testing of products came from kids of
704-488: A magazine aimed at young women. In 2008, Consumer Reports acquired The Consumerist blog from Gawker Media . Magazine copies distributed in Canada include a small four-page supplement called "Canada Extra", explaining how the magazine's findings apply to that country and lists the examined items available there. In 1998, Consumer Reports launched the grant-funded project Consumer Reports WebWatch , which aimed to improve
792-950: A patient or a fomite can transmit those micro-organisms to another patient. In this situation, gloves must be changed between patient contacts, and hands should be washed after gloves are removed. Micro-organisms are known to survive on inanimate "touch" surfaces for extended periods of time. This can be especially troublesome in hospital environments where immunodeficient patients are at enhanced risk for contracting nosocomial infections. Patients with hospital-acquired infections are predominantly hospitalized in different types of intensive care units (ICUs). Touch surfaces commonly found in hospital rooms, such as bed rails, call buttons, touch plates, chairs, door handles, light switches, grab rails, intravenous poles, dispensers (alcohol gel, paper towel, soap), dressing trolleys, and counter and table tops are known to be contaminated with Staphylococcus , methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (one of
880-571: A progressive message. Consumers Union would surpass Schlink's Consumers' Research in subscribers by 1940, accumulating a readership of 71,000. Numerous businesses and corporations set out to suppress the actions of Consumers Union. In an effort to suppress the critiques of Consumers' Union, The New York Herald Tribune established an institute with the goal of demonstrating that the efforts of consumers groups were futile, in that businesses already conducted extensive product-testing. The Crowell Institute on Consumer Relations founded in 1937, sprouted from
968-535: A rate of 4.9% of patients in 2000. Estimates range between 2 and 14%. A national survey gave a rate of 7.2% in 2004. In 2012, the Health Protection Agency reported the prevalence rate of hospital-acquired infections in England was 6.4% in 2011, against a rate of 8.2% in 2006, with respiratory tract , urinary tract and surgical site infections the most common types of infections reported. In 2018, it
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#17328756624911056-539: A song from the Austin Lounge Lizards , that was featured by The New York Times , JibJab , BoingBoing , and hundreds of blogs. On Earth Day 2005, CR launched GreenerChoices.org, a web-based initiative meant to "inform, engage, and empower consumers about environmentally friendly products and practices". Consumer Reports was a sponsor of the Safe Patient Project, whose goal was to help consumers find
1144-610: A specialist at Case Western Reserve University . Another growing disease, especially prevalent in New York City hospitals, is the drug-resistant, Gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae . An estimated more than 20% of the Klebsiella infections in Brooklyn hospitals "are now resistant to virtually all modern antibiotics, and those supergerms are now spreading worldwide." The bacteria, classified as Gram-negative because of their color on
1232-409: A stance in support of the war effort. The urged their supporters to put aside their personal interest by consuming less, and following the government ordered policies of consumption. They were also critical of businesses who saw the war period as an opportunity to advertise their products and as a result were wasting paper. The government's vested interest in the politics of consumption would escalate in
1320-529: Is a challenging problem in the modern hospitals. The best way for workers to overcome this problem is conducting correct hand-hygiene procedures; this is why the WHO launched in 2005 the GLOBAL Patient Safety Challenge. Two categories of micro-organisms can be present on health care workers' hands: transient flora and resident flora. The first is represented by the micro-organisms taken by workers from
1408-866: Is also considered vital. As many hospital-acquired infections caused by bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus , and Clostridioides difficile are caused by a breach of these protocols, it is common that affected patients make medical negligence claims against the hospital in question. Sanitizing surfaces is part of control measures to reduce nosocomial infections in healthcare environments. Modern sanitizing methods such as Non-flammable Alcohol Vapor in Carbon Dioxide systems have been effective against gastroenteritis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , and influenza agents. The use of hydrogen peroxide vapor has been clinically proven to reduce infection rates and risk of acquisition. Hydrogen peroxide
1496-456: Is an American nonprofit consumer organization dedicated to independent product testing , investigative journalism , consumer-oriented research, public education, and consumer advocacy. Founded in 1936, CR was created to serve as a source of information that consumers could use to help assess the safety and performance of products. Since that time, CR has continued its testing and analysis of products and services, and attempted to advocate for
1584-586: Is commonly undertaken and reported by bodies such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Controlling nosocomial infection is to implement QA / QC measures to the health care sectors, and evidence-based management can be a feasible approach. For those with ventilator-associated or hospital-acquired pneumonia, controlling and monitoring hospital indoor air quality needs to be on agenda in management, whereas for nosocomial rotavirus infection,
1672-474: Is defined as HAP in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The incidence of VAP is 10–30% among patients who require mechanical ventilation for >48 h. A standard treatment protocol is based on accurate diagnosis definitions, microbiological confirmation of VAP, and the administration of imipenem plus ciprofloxacin as initial empirical antibiotic treatment. One-third of nosocomial infections are considered preventable. The CDC estimates 687,000 people in
1760-419: Is directed primarily at transmission for example isolation of infectious cases in special hospitals and isolation of patient with infected wounds in special rooms also isolation of joint transplantation patients on specific rooms. Handwashing frequently is called the single most important measure to reduce the risks of transmitting skin microorganisms from one person to another or from one site to another on
1848-526: Is effective against endospore-forming bacteria, such as Clostridioides difficile , whereas alcohol is ineffective. Ultraviolet cleaning devices may also be used to disinfect the rooms of patients infected with Clostridioides difficile or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after discharge. Despite sanitation protocol, patients cannot be entirely isolated from infectious agents. Furthermore, patients are often prescribed antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs to help treat illness; this may increase
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#17328756624911936-479: Is free. As of July 31, 2009, WebWatch has been shut down, though the site is still available. Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs is available free on Consumer Reports Health.org. It compares prescription drugs in over 20 major categories, such as heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes, and gives comparative ratings of effectiveness and costs, in reports and tables, in web pages and PDF documents, in summary and detailed form. Also in 2005 Consumer Reports launched
2024-717: Is in East Haddam, Connecticut . CR is funded by subscriptions to its magazine and website, as well as through independent grants and donations. Marta L. Tellado is the current CEO of Consumer Reports. She joined the organization in 2014, following her work with the Ford Foundation , with the goal of expanding its engagement and advocacy efforts. Consumer Reports' flagship website and magazine publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research center. CR accepts no advertising, pays for all
2112-577: Is sometimes instead called a healthcare-associated infection . Such an infection can be acquired in a hospital, nursing home , rehabilitation facility , outpatient clinic, diagnostic laboratory or other clinical settings. A number of dynamic processes can bring contamination into operating rooms and other areas within nosocomial settings. Infection is spread to the susceptible patient in the clinical setting by various means. Healthcare staff also spread infection, in addition to contaminated equipment, bed linens, or air droplets. The infection can originate from
2200-529: Is to eliminate the transient flora with a careful and proper performance of hand washing, using different kinds of soap, (normal and antiseptic), and alcohol-based gels. The main problems found in the practice of hand hygiene is connected with the lack of available sinks and time-consuming performance of hand washing. An easy way to resolve this problem could be the use of alcohol-based hand rubs, because of faster application compared to correct hand-washing. Improving patient hand washing has also been shown to reduce
2288-621: The Gram stain , can cause severe pneumonia and infections of the urinary tract , bloodstream, and other parts of the body. Their cell structures make them more difficult to attack with antibiotics than Gram-positive organisms like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . In some cases, antibiotic resistance is spreading to Gram-negative bacteria that can infect people outside the hospital. "For gram-positives we need better drugs; for gram-negatives we need any drugs", said Brad Spellberg, an infectious-disease specialist at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center , and
2376-541: The Gram-positive strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , and Gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii . While antibiotic drugs to treat diseases caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are available, few effective drugs are available for Acinetobacter . Acinetobacter bacteria are evolving and becoming immune to antibiotics, so in many cases, polymyxin -type antibacterials need to be used. "In many respects it's far worse than MRSA", said
2464-571: The selection pressure for the emergence of resistant strains. Sterilization goes further than just sanitizing. It kills all microorganisms on equipment and surfaces through exposure to chemicals, ionizing radiation, dry heat, or steam under pressure. Isolation is the implementation of isolating precautions designed to prevent transmission of microorganisms by common routes in hospitals. (See Universal precautions and Transmission-based precautions .) Because agent and host factors are more difficult to control, interruption of transfer of microorganisms
2552-719: The 16-year-old test results of the 1988 Samurai in its advertising or promotional materials. In December 1997, the Isuzu Trooper distributor in Puerto Rico sued CR , alleging that it had lost sales as a result of disparagement of the Trooper by the Consumers Union of the United States (CU). A trial court granted the motion for summary judgment by the CU, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for
2640-585: The First Circuit affirmed the favorable judgment. In 2003, Sharper Image sued CR in California for product disparagement over negative reviews of its Ionic Breeze Quadra air purifier . CR moved for dismissal on October 31, 2003, and the case was dismissed in November 2004. The decision also awarded CR $ 525,000 in legal fees and costs. The February 2007 issue of Consumer Reports stated that only two of
2728-737: The Kentucky Equal Justice Center and the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network among other advocacy organizations. In recent years, the organization has been vocal on key issues, including championing consumer choice and industry competition in the debate against the Sprint T-Mobile merger, advocating for consumer preference to leave net neutrality protections in place, exposing how data is used to engage in racial discrimination when determining consumer pricing offers, and advocating for stronger privacy laws in
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2816-615: The Medicare program would save an estimated $ 1.3 billion over two years, while the US healthcare system as a whole would save $ 5.3 billion. Hospitals have sanitation protocols regarding uniforms , equipment sterilization , washing, and other preventive measures. Thorough hand washing and/or use of alcohol rubs by all medical personnel before and after each patient contact is one of the most effective ways to combat nosocomial infections. More careful use of antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics ,
2904-417: The US, the most frequent type of hospital infection is urinary tract infection (36%), followed by surgical site infection (20%), and bloodstream infection and pneumonia (both 11%). In 1841, Ignaz Semmelweis , a Hungarian obstetrician was working at a Vienna maternity hospital. He was "shocked" by the death rate of women who developed puerperal fever . He documented that mortality was three times higher in
2992-499: The United States were infected by hospital-acquired infections in 2015, resulting in 72,000 deaths. The most common nosocomial infections are of the urinary tract , surgical site and various pneumonias . An alternative treatment targeting localised infections is the use of irradiation by ultraviolet C. The methods used differ from country to country (definitions used, type of nosocomial infections covered, health units surveyed, inclusion or exclusion of imported infections, etc.), so
3080-600: The age range a product was targeted toward. It also taught kids about deceitful marketing practices practiced by advertising agencies. The magazine folded in 2000. Consumer Reports had an annual testing budget of approximately US$ 25 million, as well as approximately 7 million subscribers (3.8 million print and 3.2 million digital) as of April 2016. The organization had around 6 million members in July 2018. In 1927, F.J. Schlink and Stuart Chase published their best selling novel, Your Money's Worth , which saw massive readership due to
3168-477: The author of Rising Plague , a book about drug-resistant pathogens. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is the second most common nosocomial infection and accounts for approximately one-fourth of all infections in the intensive care unit (ICU). HAP, or nosocomial pneumonia, is a lower respiratory infection that was not incubating at the time of hospital admission and that presents clinically two or more days after hospitalization. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
3256-519: The best quality of health care by promoting the public disclosure of hospital-acquired infection rates and medical errors. The US Centers for Disease Control states that about 2 million patients annually (about 1 in 20) will acquire an infection while being treated in a hospital for an unrelated health care problem, resulting in 99,000 deaths and as much as $ 45 billion in excess hospital costs. The campaign has worked in every state calling for legislation requiring hospitals to disclose infection rates to
3344-788: The bloodstream) reduces the formation of biofilms . Contact transmission is divided into two subgroups: direct-contact transmission and indirect-contact transmission. Alongside reducing vectors for transmission, patient susceptibility to hospital-acquired infections needs to be considered. Factors which render patients at greater risk of infections include: Given the association between invasive devices and hospital-acquired infections, specific terms are used to delineate such infections to allow for monitoring and prevention. Noted device-associated infections include ventilator-associated pneumonia , catheter-associated blood stream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and device-associated ventriculitis . Surveillance for these infections
3432-510: The board of CR from 1982 to 2006 and was the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 1977 to 1981, where she discussed the sequence of events leading to the publishing of the erroneous information. In February 1998, the organization tested pet food and claimed that Iams dog food was nutritionally deficient. It later retracted the report claiming that there had been "a systemic error in
3520-444: The category of gram-negative infections are estimated to account for two-thirds of the 25,000 deaths each year. Nosocomial infections can cause severe pneumonia and infections of the urinary tract , bloodstream and other parts of the body. Many types display antimicrobial resistance , which can complicate treatment . In the UK about 300,000 patients were affected in 2017, and this
3608-401: The child safety seats it tested for that issue passed the organization's side impact tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , which subsequently retested the seats, found that all those seats passed the corresponding NHTSA tests at the speeds described in the magazine report. The CR article reported that the tests simulated the effects of collisions at 38.5 mph. However,
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3696-498: The colonization from other more pathogenic bacteria. The skin of workers is colonized by 3.9 × 10 – 4.6 × 10 cfu /cm . The microbes comprising the resident flora are: Staphylococcus epidermidis , Staphylococcus hominis , and Micrococcus , Propionibacterium , Corynebacterium , Dermabacter , and Pittosporum spp., while transient organisms are Staphylococcus aureus , and Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Acinetobacter, Enterobacter and Candida spp. The goal of hand hygiene
3784-691: The consumer in legislative and rule-making areas. Among the reforms in which CR played a role were the advent of seat belt laws , exposure of the dangers of cigarettes , and more recently, the enhancement of consumer finance protection and the increase of consumer access to quality health care. The organization has also expanded its reach to a suite of digital platforms. Consumer Reports Advocacy frequently supports environmental causes, including heightened regulations on auto manufacturers. The organization's headquarters, including its 50 testing labs, are located in Yonkers, New York , while its automotive testing track
3872-481: The consumer movement. The demand for brand research led to Schlink to found the company Consumers' Research in 1927. The company was responsible for publishing Consumers’ Research Bulletin (previously named Consumer Club Commodity List). The subscriber count in 1933 was reported to be over 42,000. It was in this year, that Consumer Research moved its operations to New York City. Following this move, employees began to unionize, citing unfair pay. Schlink proceeded to fire
3960-661: The credibility of Web sites through investigative reporting, publicizing best-practices standards, and publishing a list of sites that comply with the standards. WebWatch worked with the Stanford Web Credibility Project , Harvard University's Berkman Center , The Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania, and others. WebWatch is a member of ICANN , the W3C and the Internet Society . Its content
4048-747: The discovery of a bug in the Safari web browser , which Apple promptly fixed via a software update. In May 2018, CR said it could not recommend the Tesla Model 3 due to concerns about the car's long stopping distance. Within days, Tesla issued a remote software update. CR retested the car's brakes, then gave the Model 3 a "recommended" rating. Consumer Reports has been sued several times by companies unhappy with reviews of their products. Consumer Reports has fought these cases vigorously. As of October 2000, Consumer Reports had been sued by 13 manufacturers and never lost
4136-424: The early 2000s. At the start of 2009, Consumer Reports acquired The Consumerist blog from Gawker Media for approximately $ 600,000. Prior to 2012, the organization did business as Consumers Union. The reason for the name change was that the name of "Consumer Reports" was more familiar to the public than the name of "Consumers Union". Consumer Reports spent $ 200,000 on lobbying in 2015. The Consumerist
4224-411: The environment, and the bacteria in it are capable of surviving on the human skin and sometimes to grow. The second group is represented by the permanent micro-organisms living on the skin surface (on the stratum corneum or immediately under it). They are capable of surviving on the human skin and to grow freely on it. They have low pathogenicity and infection rate, and they create a kind of protection from
4312-506: The forum Woman's Home Companion , which had a readership of 2 million. The institute suppressed the efforts of consumer groups by giving business and advertisers the platform to putdown the consumers' pursuit of "lower distribution costs, grade labeling, and regulation," asserting that these businesses were already taking these factors into account. The New York Times proved to be an obstacle for Consumers Union, refusing CU's requests to advertise. Other major publications would follow suit. In
4400-468: The hospital for four to five additional days. Around 2004–2005, about 9,000 people died each year with a nosocomial infection, of which about 4,200 would have survived without this infection. Rate was estimated at 8.5% of patients in 2005. Since 2000, estimates show about a 6.7% infection rate, i.e. between 450,000 and 700,000 patients, which caused between 4,500 and 7,000 deaths. A survey in Lombardy gave
4488-541: The independence of its judgment". In 2007, in response to errors in infant car seat testing, it began accepting advice from a wide range of experts on designing tests, but not on final assessments. Also, at times CR allows manufacturers to review and respond to criticism before publication. CR also accepts referral fees from websites such as Amazon for including "affiliate links" to websites where customers can purchase reviewed products. Some objective and comparative tests published by Consumer Reports are carried out under
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#17328756624914576-695: The infection is still considered nosocomial since it develops in the health care setting. The term nosocomial infection is used when there is a lack of evidence that the infection was present when the patient entered the healthcare setting, thus meaning it was acquired or became problematic post-admission. During 2002 in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that roughly 1.7 million healthcare-associated infections, from all types of microorganisms , including bacteria and fungi combined, caused or contributed to 99,000 deaths. In Europe , where hospital surveys have been conducted,
4664-526: The international comparisons of nosocomial infection rates should be made with the utmost care. In Belgium, the prevalence of nosocomial infections is about 6.2%. Annually about 125,500 patients become infected by a nosocomial infection, resulting in almost 3000 deaths. The extra costs for the health insurance are estimated to be approximately €400 million/year. Estimates ranged from 6.7% in 1990 to 7.4% (patients may have several infections). At national level, prevalence among patients in health care facilities
4752-467: The interwar years. The rise of Consumers Union happened simultaneously with women's groups interest in consumption. Despite the mobilization of citizens interested in consumption, the pursuit of consumer rights were not validated until the New Deal. The programs represented an acknowledgment of the consumer movement, by actively working to improve consumer purchaser power. In World War II, Consumer Union took
4840-709: The magazine, but its website has retailers' advertisements. Consumer Reports states that PriceGrabber places the ads and pays a percentage of referral fees to CR , who has no direct relationship with the retailers. Consumer Reports publishes reviews of its business partner and recommends it in at least one case. CR had a similar relationship with BizRate at one time and has had relationships with other companies including Amazon.com , Yahoo! , The Wall Street Journal , The Washington Post , BillShrink, and Decide.com. CR also accepts grants from other organizations. Consumer Reports says its secret shoppers purchase all tested products at retail prices on behalf of
4928-447: The measurements of various minerals we tested – potassium , calcium and magnesium ". Hospital-acquired infection A hospital-acquired infection , also known as a nosocomial infection (from the Greek nosokomeion , meaning "hospital"), is an infection that is acquired in a hospital or other healthcare facility. To emphasize both hospital and nonhospital settings, it
5016-468: The most virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus . Objects in closest proximity to patients have the highest levels of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus . This is why touch surfaces in hospital rooms can serve as sources, or reservoirs, for the spread of bacteria from the hands of healthcare workers and visitors to patients. A number of compounds can decrease
5104-527: The online data includes coverage that is not published in the magazine; for example, vehicle reliability (frequency of repair) tables online extend over the full 10 model years reported in the Annual Questionnaires, whereas the magazine has only a six-year history of each model. In 1990, Consumer Reports launched Consumer Reports Television . By March 2005 it was "hosted" by over 100 stations. On August 1, 2006, Consumer Reports launched ShopSmart ,
5192-427: The organization, that they do so anonymously, and that CR accepts no free samples in order to limit bias from bribery and to prevent being given better than average samples. Consumer Reports pays a rental fee to manufacturers when using these press samples and does not include the products in its ratings. For most of CR ' s history, it minimized contact with government and industry experts "to avoid compromising
5280-409: The outside environment, another infected patient, staff that may be infected, or in some cases, the source of the infection cannot be determined. In some cases the microorganism originates from the patient's own skin microbiota , becoming opportunistic after surgery or other procedures that compromise the protective skin barrier. Though the patient may have contracted the infection from their own skin,
5368-442: The postwar period. Government would encourage to consume both through propaganda as well as the protections instituted to promote individual consumption. Consumer Reports has helped start several consumer groups and publications, in 1960 helping create global consumer group Consumers International and in 1974 providing financial assistance to Consumers' Checkbook which is considered akin to Consumer Reports for local services in
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#17328756624915456-433: The products it tests, and as a nonprofit organization has no shareholders. It also publishes general and targeted product/service buying guides. Consumer Reports has hundreds of thousands of online advocates who take action and write letters to policymakers about the issues its advocates take on. This group continues to grow as Consumer Reports expands its reach, with 6 million paid members who have access to online tools like
5544-641: The program's first two years, complication rates fell by 15.26% across all hospital-acquired conditions tracked by the state (including those not covered by the program), from a risk-adjusted complication rate of 2.38 per 1,000 people in 2009 to a rate of 2.02 in 2011. The 15.26% decline translates into more than $ 100 million in cost savings for the health care system in Maryland, with the largest savings coming from avoidance of urinary tract infections, sepsis and other severe infections, and pneumonia and other lung infections. If similar results could be achieved nationwide,
5632-605: The public. The Safe Patient Project also works on medical devices, prescription drugs, and physician accountability. GreenerChoices.org offers an "accessible, reliable, and practical source of information on buying 'greener' products that have minimal environmental impact and meet personal needs". The site contains many articles about different products, rating them on how "green" they are. It also focuses on electronics and appliance recycling and reuse, as well as conservation and global warming prevention. Funding for Consumer Reports has recently been provided by USPIRG Education Fund ,
5720-491: The rate of enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus . All visitors must follow the same procedures as hospital staff to adequately control the spread of infections. Moreover, multidrug-resistant infections can leave the hospital and become part of the community flora if steps are not taken to stop this transmission. It is unclear whether or not nail polish or rings affected surgical wound infection rates. In addition to hand washing, gloves play an important role in reducing
5808-527: The rate of nosocomial infection. Patients who are bed-bound often do not have as much access to clean their hands at mealtimes or after touching surfaces or handling waste such as tissues. By reinforcing the importance of handwashing and providing sanitizing gel or wipes within reach of the bed, nurses were directly able to reduce infection rates. A study published in 2017 demonstrated this by improving patient education on both proper hand-washing procedure and important times to use sanitizer and successfully reduced
5896-414: The risk of bloodborne pathogen infections. Second, gloves are worn to reduce the likelihood that microorganisms present on the hands of personnel will be transmitted to patients during invasive or other patient-care procedures that involve touching a patient's mucous membranes and nonintact skin. Third, they are worn to reduce the likelihood that the hands of personnel contaminated with micro-organisms from
5984-449: The risk of bacteria growing on surfaces including: copper , silver , and germicides . There have been a number of studies evaluating the use of no-touch cleaning systems particularly the use of ultraviolet C devices. One review was inconclusive due to lack of, or of poor quality evidence. Other reviews have found some evidence, and growing evidence of their effectiveness. Two of the bacteria species most likely to infect patients are
6072-490: The risks of transmission of microorganisms. Gloves are worn for three important reasons in hospitals. First, they are worn to provide a protective barrier for personnel, preventing large scale contamination of the hands when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has mandated wearing gloves to reduce
6160-447: The same patient. Washing hands as promptly and thoroughly as possible between patient contacts and after contact with blood , body fluids , secretions , excretions , and equipment or articles contaminated by them is an important component of infection control and isolation precautions. The spread of nosocomial infections, among immunocompromised patients is connected with health care workers' hand contamination in almost 40% of cases, and
6248-438: The service Greener Choices , which is meant to "inform, engage, and empower consumers about environmentally-friendly products and practices". It contains information about conservation, electronics recycling and conservation with the goal or providing an "accessible, reliable, and practical source of information on buying "greener" products that have minimal environmental impact and meet personal needs". Consumer Reports published
6336-409: The seven metropolitan areas they serve. Prominent consumer advocate Ralph Nader was on the board of directors, but left in 1975 due to a "division of philosophy" with new Executive Director Rhoda Karpatkin . Nader wanted Consumer Reports to focus on policy and product advocacy, while Karpatkin focused on product testing. Karpatkin was appointed executive director in 1974 and retired as president in
6424-504: The steering; the manufacturer claimed: "Some do, some don't" show this behavior, but it has no "validity in the real world of driving". Nevertheless, the next year, these models included a lighter weight steering wheel rim and a steering damper , and Consumer Reports reported that the previous instability was no longer present. In a 2003 issue of CR , the magazine tested the Nissan Murano crossover utility vehicle and did not recommend
6512-508: The strikers. The former Consumers' Research employees, teamed up with "journalists, engineers, academics, and scientists" to found the company Consumers Union —now known as Consumer Reports—in February 1936. Consumers Union differentiated themselves from Consumers' Research by establishing a community amongst readers. Within the overall mission of creating more informed consumers, Consumers Union united with women's clubs and citizen groups, creating
6600-537: The tests that were completed in fact simulated collisions at 70 mph. CR stated in a letter from its president Jim Guest to its subscribers that it would retest the seats. The article was removed from the CR website, and on January 18, 2007, the organization posted a note on its home page about the misleading tests. Subscribers were also sent a postcard apologizing for the error. On January 28, 2007, The New York Times published an op-ed from Joan Claybrook , who served on
6688-441: The umbrella of the international consumer organization International Consumer Research & Testing . Consumer Reports also uses outside labs for testing, including for 11 percent of tests in 2006. ConsumerReports.org, the website of Consumer Reports, is largely available only to paid subscribers. ConsumerReports.org provides updates on product availability, and adds new products to previously published test results. In addition,
6776-406: The vehicle because of a problem with its power steering, even though the vehicle had above-average reliability. The specific problem was that the steering would stiffen substantially on hard turning. CR recommended the 2005 model, which had addressed this problem. BMW changed the software for the stability control in its X5 SUV after replicating a potential rollover problem discovered during
6864-580: The wake of the Cambridge Analytica data scandal . Consumer Reports is well known for its policies on editorial independence , which it says are to "maintain our independence and impartiality ... [so that] CR has no agenda other than the interests of consumers". CR has unusually strict requirements and sometimes has taken extraordinary steps; for example it declined to renew a car dealership's bulk subscription because of "the appearance of an impropriety". However, Consumer Reports in 2021 took
6952-590: The ward where the medical students were delivering babies than in the next ward that was staffed by midwifery students . The medical students were also routinely working with cadavers . He compared the rates of infection with a similar hospital in Dublin, Ireland , and hypothesized that it was the medical students who somehow were infecting the women after labor. He instituted mandatory hand-washing in May 1847 and infection rates dropped dramatically. Louis Pasteur proposed
7040-402: The year 1938, CU would find itself at the center of The Dies Committee's investigation into "unpatriotic propaganda". The committee brought on former member of Consumers' Research' board, J.B. Matthews as its research director. In Matthews' official report, he accused CU and its CEO Arthur Kallet of holding Communist ideals, and going as far as to label CU as "Communist front". The smear campaign
7128-608: Was 6.7% in 1996, 5.9% in 2001 and 5.0% in 2006. The rates for nosocomial infections were 7.6% in 1996, 6.4% in 2001 and 5.4% in 2006. In 2006, the most common infection sites were urinary tract infections (30.3%), pneumopathy (14.7%), infections of surgery site (14.2%). Infections of the skin and mucous membrane (10.2%), other respiratory infections (6.8%) and bacterial infections / blood poisoning (6.4%). The rates among adult patients in intensive care were 13.5% in 2004, 14.6% in 2005, 14.1% in 2006 and 14.4% in 2007. Nosocomial infections are estimated to make patients stay in
7216-498: Was criticized by Consumers Union for its lack of legitimacy. The allegations proved fruitless, and rather served to delegitimize CR and Congressman Dies. In part due to actions of Consumers' Research, the House Un-American Activities Committee placed Consumers Union on a list of subversive organizations, only to remove it in 1954. Consumers Union established themselves as an advocate for consumer rights during
7304-461: Was estimated to cost the NHS about £1 billion a year. In-dwelling catheters have recently been identified with hospital-acquired infections. To deal with this complication, procedures are used, called intravascular antimicrobial lock therapy , that can reduce infections that are unexposed to blood-borne antibiotics. Introducing antibiotics, including ethanol, into the catheter (without flushing it into
7392-561: Was not libelous. In 1988, Consumer Reports announced during a press conference that the Suzuki Samurai had demonstrated a tendency to roll and deemed it "not acceptable". Suzuki sued in 1996 after the Samurai was again mentioned in a CR anniversary issue. In July 2004, after eight years in court, the suit was settled and dismissed with no money changing hands and no retraction issued, but Consumers Union did agree to no longer refer to
7480-487: Was reported that at least three journalists were suing the company run by publisher Randy Weber for nonpayment. Two other journalists also shared their attempts to collect on what was owed them. As of February 2019, following multiple, additional lawsuits from 2018, it appeared the company had closed down, as the website no longer was active and the company phone number was disconnected. Consumer Reports Consumer Reports ( CR ), formerly Consumers Union ( CU ),
7568-438: Was reported that in-hospital infections had risen from 5,972 in 2008 to 48,815 in 2017. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated roughly 1.7 million hospital-associated infections, from all types of bacteria combined, cause or contribute to 99,000 deaths each year. Other estimates indicate 10%, or 2 million, patients a year become infected, with the annual cost ranging from $ 4.5 billion to $ 11 billion. In
7656-563: Was sold at newsstands only and did not reveal its sales figures. In 2001, when it ceased subscription distribution, it listed 700,000 subscribers (the list was sold to Time, Inc. ). The publication has no connection with the Consumer Reports magazine or with Consumers Digest Weekly . It was possible to subscribe to the on-line edition of Consumers Digest . Consumers Digest had a history of not paying its contributors. In an October 30, 2017, article published by Talking Biz News (TBN), it
7744-655: Was subsequently closed in December 2017, when its content was folded into the Consumer Reports website. In the July 1978 issue, Consumer Reports rated the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon automobile "not acceptable", the first car it had judged such since the AMC Ambassador in 1968. In its testing they found the possibility of these models' developing an oscillatory yaw as a result of a sudden violent input to
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