Authors


Jeanie Bach, MSN, RN, CCRN

Latest:

The Critical Role of Rapid Diagnostics in Antibiotic Stewardship

Rapid diagnostics enhance patient outcomes by enabling prompt, targeted treatments, reducing inappropriate antibiotic use, and combating antimicrobial resistance through informed clinical decisions and stewardship programs.


Lauren Biscaldi

Latest:

Breaking: FDA Approves First-Ever RSV Vaccine

The vaccine is approved for use in adults aged 60 and older to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.


Alicia Bigica

Latest:

Sulbactam-Durlobactam Combo Outperforms Colistin in Acinetobacter baumannii Infections

A phase 3 trial presented at IDWeek 2023 shows that sulbactam-durlobactam (SUL-DUR) reduces mortality and improves outcomes in hospital-acquired Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex infections compared to colistin, offering a promising treatment option.


Armand Butera

Latest:

FDA Approval Helps Immunocompromised Shingles Sufferers

Shingrix was originally approved by the FDA in 2017 for the prevention of shingles in adults 50 years and older. Now, it’s approved for those 18 years and older who are immunocompromised.


Ronni Benson, BSN, RN

Latest:

Infection Prevalence and Prevention Among Sex Workers: Information for Health Care Workers

The information health care workers need to know about the concerning infection trends among sex workers and how best to support and treat them.


Jason Kang

Latest:

Enhanced Infection Prevention Needed in Health Care Facilities Amid Growing Pathogen Threats

Amid escalating multidrug-resistant organism threats, hospitals face business risks and patient trust erosion, necessitating improved cleaning and infection prevention practices.


Nathanael Napolitano, MPH

Latest:

Healing With Algorithms: AI's Impact on Epidemiology and Infection Control

Media in the US presents AI as both beneficial and risky. Positive coverage shows AI's potential through virtual assistants like Siri, while cautionary tales warn of misuse like misinformation and deepfakes. How does all this work in health care?


Priya Dhagat, MS, MLS(ASCP), CIC

Latest:

Without an Engaged Community, Infection Prevention Can Flounder

Coupling risk communication and effective engagement with the community can provide opportunities to change behavior and shape awareness of basic practices that can break the chain of transmission for many diseases.


Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN

Latest:

Why Clinical Expertise Is the Cornerstone to Your Most Profitable Business Line

Perioperative nurses bring vital skills in patient safety, infection control, and quality improvement. They enhance surgical outcomes and support health care systems during complex, high-risk procedures.


Elias Coury, MPH, BHSc

Latest:

Addressing Non-Ventilator Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (NV-HAP): Impact on Sepsis, Mortality, and Hospital Metrics

NV-HAP significantly contributes to increased sepsis, mortality, and length of stay, negatively affecting hospital metrics, finances, and patient outcomes, underscoring the importance of targeted prevention strategies.


Whitney Palmer

Latest:

Don’t Stop with Disinfecting Surfaces – Clean the Air to Decrease COVID-19

Researchers from China recommend disinfecting the air, alongside, sanitizing surfaces, to reduce exposures and transmission.


Lindsay Cormier, PhD, MPH

Latest:

One Step Forward, 2 Back: CDC's Proposals for Infection Control in Health Care Facilities

In this opinion article, the authors discuss their concerns about the recent HICPAC/CDC proposals on infectious diseases.


Lori Goraczewski, BSN, RN, CIC

Latest:

High-Consequence Infectious Disease Prepare in Partnership: Infection Prevention 
and Emergency Management

Infection prevention and emergency management form a crucial alliance in combating high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs), ensuring swift preparedness, safety, and effective patient care.


Joshua Freedman, MCC

Latest:

Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Climate Change and Infectious Diseases: Insights and Strategies for Resilience

In a world grappling with climate change and infectious diseases, emotional well-being plays a crucial role. Emotional intelligence is key, addressing the toll on health care professionals managing infectious diseases amid climate change.


Edward Nardell, MD

Latest:

Fans, Filters, Rays, or Ions?

Rethinking the application of air disinfection in the era of COVID-19.


Shreya Doshi, MBBS

Latest:

Updates for the Prevention and Treatment of Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections

The latest news on CLABSIs in the pediatric population is presented at IDWeek 2023.


Matthew Pullen, MD
Matthew Pullen, MD

Latest:

Rare Infectious Diseases: A Tutorial

What do clinicians, infection preventionists, and environmental hygiene personnel do when faced with rare infectious diseases? Matt Pullen, MD, gives ICT® readers a tutorial.


Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC

Latest:

Reflecting on the US Withdrawal from the World Health Organization

An infection preventionist reels from the US exit from WHO, writing that it disrupts global health efforts, weakens infection control, and lacks research funding and support for low-income nations dependent on WHO for health care resources.



Karly Shaw

Latest:

Paper Waste in Health Care: Reducing Health and Environmental Impact

Dive into the scope of paper waste in the health care industry, its environmental toll, and strategies to reduce paper waste while balancing the needs of health care settings.


Susan McDonald, EdD, OTR/L

Latest:

Inpatient and Outpatient Clinics Must Monitor Fomites as Part of IPC Protocols

Thorough cleaning and disinfection reduce the role fomites play in the spread of disease.


Carole W. Kamangu, MPH, RN, CIC

Latest:

The Hidden Social Dynamics of Antibiotic Prescribing: Considerations for Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs

According to Julia Szymczak, PhD, a sociology expert, antibiotic prescribing involves complex social dynamics. Understanding these can improve antimicrobial stewardship by addressing professional etiquette, patient pressures, and emotional decision-making.


Jonathan Lai, BA

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.


Alexandra Karas, MA

Latest:

Containing Outbreak of Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a COVID-19 Ward

Using COVID-19 precautions, and enhanced contact precautions and environmental hygiene, a COVID-19 isolation ward was able to contain an outbreak of CRAB.


Rana F. Hamdy, MD, MPH, MSCE

Latest:

The Impact of HIV After the Virus

At IDWeek 2023, a presenter uses HIV as a model to understand the post-acute sequelae of viral infections.


Danielle Updegraff, BSN, RN

Latest:

How Emerging Technologies Increase Hand Hygiene Adherence and Reduce Infections

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) affect over 680,000 patients annually in the U.S. Unlike manual methods, automated hand hygiene monitoring can significantly improve compliance and reduce HAIs.


Nina Vickery

Latest:

Eco-Friendly Cleaning: Boosting Employee Wellness and Workplace Productivity

Eco-friendly cleaning in workplaces reduces health risks from harsh chemicals, improving employee wellness, reducing sick days, and enhancing productivity through better indoor air quality.


Tom Schwarzweller

Latest:

Leveraging BIM to Enhance Infection Control in Health Care Facility Development

Building Information Modeling (BIM) plays a pivotal role in designing health care facilities that minimize infection risks, promoting efficient planning, and coordination while reducing construction challenges.


Bennett Waxse, MD, PhD

Latest:

The Impact of HIV After the Virus

At IDWeek 2023, a presenter uses HIV as a model to understand the post-acute sequelae of viral infections.


Margie Morgan, 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.