Tori Whitacre Martonicz, MA

Research presented at HSPA 2026 shows multiple endoscope cleaning methods achieve similar outcomes, but pump-assisted and enhanced approaches reduce staff fatigue, injury risk, and missed steps, highlighting the importance of human factors in infection prevention.

As Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL, SME, DSMD, CRMST, concludes her HSPA presidency, she reflects on advocacy, certification efforts, and collaboration, emphasizing mentorship and continued progress in sterile processing ahead of the 2026 conference in Baltimore.

At AORN 2026, Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, highlights how nursing education must evolve with technology, generational learning styles, and workforce shortages to better prepare nurses for modern health care challenges.

At AORN 2026 in New Orleans, a colorectal SSI bundle shows how standardized intraoperative nursing practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and data tracking can reduce infections and improve surgical outcomes.

At AORN26 in New Orleans, a poster highlights surgical smoke risks, urging nationwide evacuation policies to protect health care workers and patients and strengthen nurse-led advocacy for safer operating rooms.

At AORN 2026, experts highlight gaps in endoscope reprocessing, stressing pre-cleaning, visual inspection, and borescope use to improve patient safety and strengthen perioperative and sterile processing collaboration.

At AORN 2026, experts highlight how dedicated perioperative infection preventionists reduce surgical site infections, improve staff engagement, and drive ROI through standardized practices, real-time education, and data-driven strategies.

AORN26 highlights a colorectal SSI prevention bundle using evidence-based isolation techniques, interdisciplinary collaboration, and audit tracking to improve compliance and reduce infection risk in perioperative practice.

AORN26 highlights a multidisciplinary, culture-driven approach that reduced colon surgical site infections by over 27%, demonstrating how standardized bundles, collaboration, and perioperative alignment can significantly improve patient outcomes.

AORN26 highlights how using the teach-back method during PACU discharge education improved patient understanding and reduced surgical site infections, demonstrating the critical role of communication in infection prevention beyond the OR.

At AORN 2026, Erica Smith, DrPH, MBA, shares a practical framework for turning infection prevention guidelines into flexible, sustainable policies that help perioperative teams improve compliance without overwhelming staff or overcomplicating protocols.

AORN26 highlights how collaboration between the operating room and sterile processing department (SPD) reduced instrument contamination, minimized case delays, and improved patient safety, reinforcing the critical role of SPD partnerships in perioperative infection prevention.

AORN26 highlights a hands-on Scrub Bootcamp program that improves perioperative nurse readiness, confidence, and procedural skills, offering a scalable model to strengthen operating room training and patient safety.

Johns Hopkins experts warn malaria remains a global threat despite vaccine progress. Drug resistance, climate change, and funding cuts could reverse gains, highlighting the need for sustained investment, surveillance, and layered prevention strategies.

The 2026 HSPA Annual Conference offers sterile processing professionals education, networking, and real-world insights, with leaders like Leslie Kronstedt highlighting challenges, mentorship, and opportunities across health care settings.

What is surgical smoke? Why is it dangerous? Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, FAORN, FAAN, a member of Infection Control Today's editorial advisory board, explains.

A new global study reveals meningitis caused 259,000 deaths in 2023, with children most affected, highlighting stalled progress, vaccine gaps, and the need for stronger surveillance and prevention strategies.

Antimicrobial resistance threatens all of modern medicine. Infectious disease expert Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, warns that health care workers face occupational exposure to drug-resistant bacteria. Judicious antibiotic use and policy reforms like the PASTEUR Act are critical solutions.

HSPA President Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL, SME, DSMD, CRMST, discusses certification advocacy, Capitol Hill efforts, workforce challenges, and why sterile processing is essential to patient safety, urging leaders to recognize and support the professionals behind every successful surgical outcome.

A former infection prevention professional shares his battle with MRSA and sepsis, revealing the lasting impact of health care–associated infections and why vigilance, accountability, and patient advocacy matter more than ever.

A national recruiter shares insights on infection prevention hiring trends, highlighting evolving background requirements, persistent RN bias, salary disparities, and the growing role of advocacy and data in shaping a more inclusive, competitive IPC workforce.

Tuberculosis affects 10.7 million annually. IPC professionals prevent health care-associated TB through respiratory isolation, staff screening, and contact investigation. World TB Day 2026 affirms TB elimination is achievable through dedicated infection prevention.

Ill-fitting PPE exposes women health care workers to infection risks, regulatory liability, and reduced performance. Wyatt Bradbury, MEng, CSP, CHST, CIT, TSSP, urges infection prevention leaders to assess fit, engage staff, and improve procurement practices to ensure safety, compliance, and equitable protection across clinical environments.

Federal court halts vaccine schedule changes, upholding evidence-based immunization practices. ICT reached out to key opinion leaders to find out their thoughts

Stethoscopes remain an overlooked vector for health care–associated infections. Infection prevention experts say inconsistent cleaning, workflow pressures, and cultural gaps contribute to contamination risks, especially for vulnerable patients such as those in oncology and emergency settings.

Lawmakers are pressing HHS to release a CDC study on reusable health care textiles and PPE. Industry leaders say reusable gowns and linens could strengthen supply chains, reduce waste, and protect health care workers during emergencies, but the report remains unpublished.

Cloud fax, combined with AI and NLP, is helping health systems transform unstructured documents into FHIR-ready data. Experts say modernized fax workflows can support interoperability, reduce data silos, and help rural and under-resourced providers participate in digital health initiatives.

At HIMSS26, one presentation discussed how health systems invest heavily in digital front doors, but patients often struggle to navigate campuses once they arrive. Experts say integrating digital wayfinding into healthcare apps can reduce missed appointments, improve patient experience, and support equity for vulnerable populations.