Authors


Bernard A. Cohen, MD

Latest:

Infection Control and Prevention in the Outpatient Physical Office Setting

Unlike hospitals, ambulatory settings have traditionally lacked adequate infrastructure and resources to support infection prevention and monitoring.


Alberto Coustasse-Hencke, DrPH, MD, MBA, MPH

Latest:

Pharmacists Have Delivered During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Getting to know community pharmacists—in fact developing a professional rapport with those pharmacists—should be on an infection preventionist’s to-do list.


Hebah Al Zamel, BSN, MSN, CPHQ, CIC
Hebah Al Zamel, BSN, MSN, CPHQ, CIC

Latest:

Surgical Site Infection Surveillance

SSI surveillance tracks infections that occur after surgery in the area where it was performed. How can facilities help prevent these infections?


Deisy Contreras, PhD

Latest:

A Spectroscopic Solution for Strain Typing and Discrimination

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy demonstrates promise for rapid strain typing of yeast and bacteria, which could help improve proactive infection control strategies in health care settings.


Nancy J. Bailey

Latest:

Artificial Intelligence Offers Advancements and Challenges in the IPC Sphere

Artificial intelligence increases infection prevention and control measures in health care facilities and beyond.


Meaghan Shattuck, MSN, RN, OCN, CNE

Latest:

Diversity Can Be Best Ally for Infection Preventionists

Perspectives from a diversity of health care workers improve the care and outcomes of patients.


KARI A. GAND, MPH, CIC,

Latest:

Focus on 4 Foundations of Patient Safety

Health care-associated infection-reducing initiatives are vital to keeping patients safe.


James Graham, CEO of Recce Pharmaceuticals
James Graham, CEO of Recce Pharmaceuticals

Latest:

Revolutionary Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea Treatment: A Possible Breakthrough with Recce 327

With gonorrhea's rising antibiotic resistance, Recce 327 by Recce Pharmaceuticals emerges as a game-changer, showing 99% efficacy in preclinical trials and promising potential against antibiotic-resistant bacteria globally.


Julie Williamson

Latest:

Give Sterile Processing Team, Profession the Recognition They Deserve

Sterile Processing Week runs from October 9 through 15. Julie Williamson, of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, explains why appreciation goes a long way with this vital group of hospital professionals.


Christine Blank

Latest:

Study: Single-Bed Rooms Preferred to Control Certain Bacteria

Netherlands study details ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae strategy.



Rachael Zimlich, RN, BSN

Latest:

Your Future Telehealth Program Starts Now

COVID-19 helped to speed up adoption of telehealth. When it comes to telehealth platforms, though, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach.


Kevin Kunzmann

Latest:

Tocilizumab Granted FDA Approval for COVID-19 in Hospitalized Adults

FDA approved this intravenous tocilizumab (Actemra) for hospitalized adults with COVID-19.


David Anbari

Latest:

Addressing the Misconceptions About Using ISOs for Endoscope Repair

There are many misconceptions about using ISOs for endoscope repair. Perhaps the one with wide-ranging implications is the misconception that using an ISO for service will invalidate the device’s 510K, instructions for use (IFU), or automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) validation.


David M. Welker, MD

Latest:

The Clinical and Economic Case for Sterile, Disposable Instruments and Implants

Recent news headlines reported two deaths and 179 exposures from contaminated surgical instruments used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at a university medical center in California.1 Similar infections also occurred in Washington, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.


Mark H. Hofbauer, DPM

Latest:

The Clinical and Economic Case for Sterile, Disposable Instruments and Implants

Recent news headlines reported two deaths and 179 exposures from contaminated surgical instruments used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at a university medical center in California.1 Similar infections also occurred in Washington, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.



William DeLuca

Latest:

Challenges and Lessons in Building a New Central Sterile Processing Department

When it comes to the culture of a hospital, nothing is as important as the employees who work for it and aim to provide excellent patient care. When it comes to a hospital's balance sheet, particularly the physical assets, nothing is as important as the actual hospital and other ancillary buildings.


Sharon Greene-Golden, BA, CRCST, CER, SME, FCS

Latest:

The Importance of Following Manufacturers’ IFUs

How do we clean an instrument has always been the question of the day in sterile processing departments all over the world; the answer is to come. The sad truth is, in some instances, the cleaning process was derived from someone in leadership making up a rule.



Alice Brewer

Latest:

UVC Disinfection: Proven by Science

The BETR-D Study: The first and only randomized clinical trial on UVC Disinfection


David J. Flynn

Latest:

Clinical Advantages of Disposable Microfiber Mops

Can the type of microfiber product (disposable vs. re-laundered) make a difference?


K. Mark Wiencek

Latest:

Clinical Advantages of Disposable Microfiber Mops

Can the type of microfiber product (disposable vs. re-laundered) make a difference?


Kelly Pyrek

Latest:

IC in Care Series: Ambulatory Care

Policies relating to newly emerging and highly infectious diseases in outpatient healthcare settings within the context of infection prevention and control are highly variable, according to public health experts, leaving many gaps in patient protection from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). For example, only a minority of outpatient facilities are certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and few are licensed by states or maintain accreditation status. As a result, many of these facilities are opened and operated without being held to minimum safety standards for infection control or other aspects of patient care, potentially putting patients at risk. In an October 2015 document, Outpatient Settings Policy Options for Improving Infection Prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlined four key elements for states and their supporting HAI multidisciplinary advisory groups who are interested in more effective and proactive oversight of out-patient facilities: facility licensing/accreditation requirements; provider-level training, licensing and certification; reporting requirements; and establishment and effective application of investigation authorities.


Peter K. Kang Ph.D.

Latest:

Clinical Advantages of Disposable Microfiber Mops

Can the type of microfiber product (disposable vs. re-laundered) make a difference?


Alexandra Ward

Latest:

EPA Greenlights Lysol Disinfectant Spray to Combat COVID-19

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Lysol Disinfectant Spray to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).


Nancy Moureau, PhD, RN, CRNI, CPUI, VA-BC

Latest:

Ultrasound Transducer Disinfection: Better Guidelines/Recommendations Needed

With the CDC, FDA, and Joint Commission all using different guidelines and recommendations for the types of disinfection acceptable for various ultrasound transducers, clinicians should follow manufacturers’ instructions, but a more unified answer is needed.




Jack Murtha

Latest:

Are Your Healthcare Workers Armed With the Right Vaccinations?

Alma Jackson, PhD, RN, COHN-S, discusses how to overcome this occupational hazard.