Tori Whitacre Martonicz

Infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility, but environmental services (EVS) professionals are often overlooked. At AHE’s Exchange25, Shannon Simmons, DHSc, is on a mission to change that.

As tick-borne diseases such as Lyme, Babesia, and Anaplasma increase across the US, accurate early detection remains a critical challenge. Jason Barker, ND, clinical lab educator at Vibrant Wellness, explains how innovative multiplex testing is transforming diagnostics and improving outcomes for patients and providers alike.

Manual cleaning gaps on shared hospital equipment can undermine infection control efforts. New research shows far UV-C light can serve as a safe, automated backup to reduce contamination in real-world clinical settings.

The CDC’s updated hospital respiratory reporting requirement has added new layers of responsibility for infection preventionists. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down what it means and how IPs can adapt.

As infection threats evolve and the IP workforce faces burnout and attrition, a new study reveals a critical weak spot: inconsistent access to infection prevention certification—and the training needed to succeed.

Policy changes made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr as the HHS Secretary are alarming health care providers, including changes in water fluoridization, COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, and more.

New HSPA President Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST, shares insights from the 2025 conference, including groundbreaking innovations, member engagement, and her goals for advancing the sterile processing field.

In this interview, completed shortly before the HSPA 2025 conference, as she prepared to take the helm as HSPA’s next president, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST, discusses humility, determination, and a bold vision to elevate sterile processing professionals and broaden the association’s impact.

With surgical site infections on the rise, experts argue that systemic antibiotics fall short, and targeted drug delivery may be the future of surgical infection prevention.

At the 2025 Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Annual Conference & Expo, Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL, CIS, CER, CFER, CRCST, spotlighted real-world gaps in sterile processing education, stressing the urgent need for better tools, training, and collaboration when handling intricate medical devices like shaver handpieces.

At the 2025 HSPA conference, experts emphasized the vital role of detergents and enzymatic cleaners in reprocessing medical devices—highlighting how temperature, concentration, and technique directly impact cleaning performance in today’s increasingly complex surgical instrumentation.

Far-UVC technology offers a promising solution for continuous disinfection in occupied spaces, with growing evidence supporting its safety, efficacy, and potential in health care environments.

The disbanding of HICPAC has left infection prevention experts scrambling to preserve national standards and ensure continuity amid growing concern over science-driven public health policy. Connie Steed, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, speaks with ICT.

A routine audit at Texas Children’s Hospital uncovered systemwide gaps in sterile processing, revealing deeper issues and reinforcing the critical role of education and equipment oversight.

A new study presented at the 2025 SHEA Spring Conference reveals that while infectious disease consults do influence hospitalists’ use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the relationship is anything but straightforward—challenging assumptions in antimicrobial stewardship and offering new insights into prescribing behavior.

Sterile processing departments must be ready to maintain continuity and patient safety—even when technology fails. A downtime playbook can make all the difference.

Clear, consistent alignment between infection preventionists and sterile processing teams on IFUs is essential for safe reprocessing—and increasingly achievable with the right tools and mindset.

Hannah Schroeder, BSHA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, presented a workshop at HSPA Annual Conference on how sterile processing leaders are turning to quality management systems like AAMI ST90 to drive data-informed decisions, justify resources, and improve department-wide outcomes through advocacy.

With his term as HSPA president concluded at the end of the HSPA Annual Conference, Anthony Bondon CRCST, CHL, BSM, AAS, SME, LSSYB, reflects on the power of connection, service, and why sterile processing professionals are the true champions of health care.

Social media offers opportunities to showcase sterile processing work, but a single misstep can risk compromising patient privacy, incurring legal consequences, and damaging your facility’s public reputation.

Sterile processing leaders need more than technical expertise—they require business, collaboration, and leadership skills to gain autonomy, improve outcomes, and elevate the role within health care.

With staffing shortages and rising infection risks, the TEPHI 200-Series delivers accessible, high-impact training to empower healthcare professionals and strengthen infection prevention efforts nationwide.

Elizabeth (Betty) Casey, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CHL, is the SVP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Surgical Solutions in Overland, Kansas. This SPD leader reframes preparation, unpredictability, and teamwork by comparing surgical services to the Kentucky Derby to reenergize sterile processing professionals and inspire systemic change.

Vatsala Srinivasa, MPH's, research uses genomic sequencing to track hospital transmission of respiratory viruses, revealing hidden links and highlighting the potential for improved infection prevention.

UF Health’s offsite reprocessing center offers a model for scalability, efficiency, and staff support as hospitals face space limitations and growing surgical volumes. Sara Vinson, MBA, CRCST, director of sterile processing will discuss it at the 2025 HSPA Annual Conference.

Sterile processing departments face high-stakes challenges daily. At AORN 2025, Marjorie Wall outlined transformative strategies to improve safety, efficiency, and cross-departmental collaboration, and also discussed HSPA 2025.

Bacteriophage therapy presents a promising alternative to antibiotics, especially as antimicrobial resistance continues to increase. Dr. Ran Nir-Paz discusses its potential, challenges, and future applications in this technology.

Sterile processing expert Kevin Anderson urges perioperative nurses to deepen collaboration with SPD teams to enhance OR efficiency, reduce SSIs, and improve patient outcomes.

Without market reform, antimicrobial innovation will collapse. Henry Skinner, PhD, MBE, MJur, CEO of AMR Action Fund, urges global economic action to prevent an antibiotic-free future.

ICT interviews Damien Berg, VP of strategic initiatives, who promises HSPA education, outreach, and growth. It will empower sterile processing professionals through standards updates, networking, and renewed purpose in patient safety.