Isis Lamphier, MPH, MHA, CIC, AL-CIP

The Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens that are clinically important in today's health care facilities.

Despite claims of health benefits, raw milk poses serious infection risks. Pathogens like E coli and Listeria can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations.

Proper glove use is crucial in health care settings to prevent infections. Guidelines from TJC, CDC, and WHO stress correct selection, usage, and disposal to minimize health care–associated infections (HAIs) and cross-contamination risks. Infection preventionists (IPs) play a key role in educating staff, enforcing compliance, and improving patient safety through standardized glove practices.

Discover how the NHSN 2022 Rebaseline initiative updates health care-associated infection metrics to align with modern health care trends, enabling improved infection prevention strategies and patient safety outcomes.

A critical H5N1 case in a British Columbia teen underscores zoonotic disease challenges, highlighting the virus's mutation potential and the need for vigilance and cross-sector collaboration.

This Pathogen Pulse highlights: Whooping cough, oropouche fever, and avian influenza. Read on to get caught up on the latest.

This week's Pathogen Pulse highlights: Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV), Boar's Head products recall due to listeria contamination, and mpox cases on the rise in Africa.

Welcome to Pathogen Pulse with Isis Lamphier, MPH, CIC. This edition is about the mpox, formerly known as monkey pox, global health emergency.

Welcome to Pathogen Pulse with Isis Lamphier, MPH, CIC. This edition is about H5N1. H5N1 bird flu has spread to dairy cattle across multiple states, posing new risks through unpasteurized milk and contact with infected animals.

Communal dining in LTC facilities enhances social interaction and nutrition but requires infection prevention measures to protect residents from risks like gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.

During delivery, babies can acquire infections if they come into contact with pathogens present in the birth canal or from the mother’s genital tract.

Infection prevention during childbirth, via vaginal or cesarean delivery, is crucial for maternal and neonatal health. Strategies include strict hygiene, sterile techniques, and antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce postpartum infection risks.

A JAMA study exposes the US healthcare system's staggering waste expenditure underlining challenges in managing diverse waste types and stringent regulations' compliance. What solutions are there?

March shines a spotlight on patient safety with Patient Safety Awareness Week, which ran from March 10 to March 16, 2024. This dedicated period aims to educate and empower health care workers, emphasizing the paramount importance of safe health care environments. Read about it here.

Rare Disease Day on February 29, 2024, shines a global light on the impact of rare diseases, including rare infectious diseases. With a focus on early diagnosis and treatment access, this day highlights the struggles of those with rare conditions.

While public transportation offers convenience and accessibility, it is crucial to remain mindful of the potential presence of germs, emphasizing the importance of adopting infection prevention measures during travel times.

Handheld equipment plays a vital role in providing care at health facilities. Proper training, equipment, and procedures are imperative to guarantee safe cleaning and disinfection following use.

Diabetes Awareness Month in November highlights the heightened susceptibility of diabetes patients to infections. Explore the key reasons behind their increased infection risk and the importance of infection prevention.

Are white coats a symbol of medical expertise or a source of potential contamination?

Mold, a menacing presence that can grow within the walls of your facility, may be lurking and waiting to cause problems. Are you equipped to deal with it?

3D-Printed PPE in emergencies seemed like a great idea during the COVID-19 pandemic. But a recent study shows they could be a contamination risk to patients and staff.

Giantmicrobes is a company that creates fun health and science products that resemble microbes, organs, vaccines, and more and are used for teaching and enjoying.

A session held at the APIC 2023 Annual Conference & Exhibition delved into the importance of equity in infection prevention and explored the impact of health inequities on the transmission of diseases.

Alexander Sundermann, DrPH, CIC, FAPIC, discusses his work focused on whole genome sequencing surveillance for outbreak detection and investigation in healthcare settings.

A poster at the 2023 APIC Conference in Orlando, Florida, unveiled an innovative approach developed at an academic medical center for early identification of Clostridioides difficile Infections within 3 calendar days of admission.

Amanda Crowson, MPH, RN, CPH, CIC, is a highly accomplished infection preventionist at AdventHealth Tampa that has been recognized for her research on implementing perineal care practices to minimize the occurrence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).

Patricia Jackson, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, 2023 President of APIC and Devin Jopp, EdD, MS, CEO of APIC spoke to a group of reporters, including Infection Control Today about exciting and encouraging new strategies to further the IPC profession.

Are you attending the 2023 APIC Conference in Orlando, Florida, from June 26-28? Check out this list to see the best things to do while you’re in town!

An outbreak investigation in the American Journal of Infection Control reviews the infection control procedures implemented by an academic medical center in response to a patient's introduction of scabies to health care workers.

What are the recommendations for storing endoscopes clean, safe, and intact?