Weekly Summary: Healthcare Quality and Worker Safety Information – July 8, 2026

[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Healthcare Quality and Worker Safety Information

Healthcare Quality Resources NEW! Updated Guidance: CDC’s Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship – Improved antibiotic prescribing is critical to effectively treat infections, protect patients from harms caused by unnecessary antibiotic use, and combat antimicrobial resistance. In 2016, CDC first released the Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship to improve antibiotic prescribing practices across outpatient settings. Since then, healthcare delivery has become increasingly consolidated within health systems. The updated Core Elements places greater emphasis on the role of health systems in outpatient stewardship, while including practical strategies that can be tailored to support stewardship efforts in any outpatient setting.   Health systems play a central role in developing, expanding, and sustaining outpatient stewardship programs across their networks. The Core Elements provide a flexible, evidence-based framework that health systems and independent practices can adapt to improve antibiotic prescribing across outpatient settings. The updated Core Elements also includes a practical assessment tool to help facilities evaluate stewardship efforts, identify gaps, and monitor progress, along with considerations and strategies for stewardship activities in specific settings including telemedicine, dental clinics, and dialysis facilities.     To learn more about CDC’s antibiotic stewardship efforts, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use, and be sure to check the Upcoming Calls/Webinars section below for a related Project Firstline and American Medical Association (AMA) webinar.    Coming Soon! CDC Grant Opportunity: Centers of Excellence in Healthcare Quality and Safety – A forthcoming funding opportunity (CK-27-0007: Centers of Excellence in Healthcare Quality and Safety) is now available to review on Grants.gov. The application period is estimated to open later this fall. This forecasted opportunity aims to strengthen the safety, quality, and resilience of healthcare delivery in the United States. The mechanism will create and support a national collaborative of health systems, healthcare facilities, and public health partners. The collaborative will develop, implement, and evaluate innovative strategies to detect, respond, and prevent healthcare quality and safety threats and associated adverse events.   Please review the full opportunity forecast for eligibility requirements and submission deadlines. For notifications on any updates to the forecast and notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) publication, subscribe to the opportunity forecast on Grants.gov.

Outbreak Response Ebola Update – CDC is continuing to respond to an outbreak of Ebola disease affecting areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Uganda. To date, no cases of Ebola disease have been confirmed in the United States because of this outbreak.    Early recognition is critical for healthcare worker and patient safety. While the risk of spread to the United States is considered low at this time, it is possible for travelers from affected areas to enter the United States. As a precaution, CDC is working to raise awareness of this outbreak among public health departments, healthcare facilities, and healthcare providers in the United States.    Healthcare facilities and personnel should review Ebola resources now. Be prepared to assess patients for Ebola risk factors and symptoms. Additional Information:  CDC is available 24/7 for Ebola consultations by calling the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100.  New Identify, Isolate, Inform: A step-by-step guide for evaluating patients who may have Ebola disease. New Healthcare Facility Door Sign: Directs patients to immediately report any recent travel in an affected country and any Ebola signs and symptoms. Think Ebola Factsheet: Recognize the risk factors for Ebola disease and know how to respond if you see signs or symptoms. Ebola Infection Prevention and Control for U.S. Healthcare Facilities  Ebola PPE for U.S. Healthcare Personnel  Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Ebola Upcoming Webinar Opportunity: On July 28, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET, the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) will host a webinar: Ebola Town Hall: Current Outbreak Updates and Healthcare Preparedness Considerations. Webinar Registration - Zoom  In case you missed it: What Clinicians Should Know about Ebola Bundibugyo Virus | COCA | CDC

Upcoming Calls/Webinars Register Today! Webinar Opportunity: Advancing Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship – Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET – Antimicrobial resistance remains an important public health threat, underscoring the critical role of healthcare personnel in promoting appropriate antibiotic use and implementing effective infection prevention strategies. How can health systems strengthen outpatient antibiotic stewardship? In this CDC Project Firstline webinar, join a panel of experts and the American Medical Association (AMA) to explore antibiotic use trends, effective infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, updates to CDC’s Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship, and strategies for integrating the updated guidance into practice.

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