Authors
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Interdepartmental Communication: A Crucial Factor in Infection PreventionClear interdepartmental communication is essential for infection prevention in health care settings, minimizing risk, improving safety, and ensuring effective control during patient transfers across departments.
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Selling Programs to Your C-Suite: 5 Key Steps to SuccessWhen an infection preventionist, environmental hygienist, or any other health care worker sees the need and value of a technology, product, or program, but purchasing it isn’t in the department or facility’s funds, how do you convince the C-suite to buy it anyway?
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The Critical Role of Pharmacies in Expanding Vaccine Access and EducationPharmacies, with their widespread locations and extended hours, have become vital access points for vaccinations, particularly in underserved communities. They provide convenience, education, and trusted health care services to millions across the US.
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Onboarding Infection Preventionists? Some Questions to AskSuccessful onboarding of candidates requires an orientation that includes all aspects of the position. What are the responsibilities of an IP? Their main function is to identify and mitigate infection risks.
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Norovirus: An Old Virus Seeking New Public Health ActionsNorovirus, discovered in 1972, causes millions of gastroenteritis cases yearly. Learn prevention methods, symptoms, and updates on vaccine development.
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IDEA in Action: A Strategic Approach to Contamination ControlAdopting IDEA—identify, define, explain, apply—streamlines contamination control. Infection control professionals can mitigate risks through prevention, intervention, and training, ensuring safer health care environments and reducing frequent contamination challenges.
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Oral Care to Prevent VAP and NV-HAP: Where Art Thou?Non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is a prevalent, preventable infection. Improved oral care protocols and provider education are essential to reducing NV-HAP rates and improving patient outcomes.
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Infection Control: Making Informed Choices for Patient ProtectionGail Dewald, BS, RN, CNN and Tanya Scott MSN, RN, CNN, VA-BC™ delve into the crucial role of nurse managers, doctors, and administrators in making informed choices about infection control products in healthcare settings. They emphasize the need for collaboration and highlight the importance of data and statistics in supporting these decisions.
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5 Overlooked High-Touch Hospital SurfacesWith inadequate disinfection practices, healthcare workers are much more likely to acquire pathogens on their hands after touching these surfaces, potentially passing them on to patients.
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The Unbridled Potential of Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring SystemsIn the fight against health care-associated infections, EHHCM systems are a key weapon.
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The Basics: Best Practices for the Effective Use of Disinfectants and Sterilization TechniquesLearn the basics of the critical role of proper disinfection and sterilization in health care settings, addressing key considerations, best practices, challenges, and future trends.
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Make Personal Protective Equipment Fit Sterile ProcessingThe successful combination of products and the adoption and application of science-based practices will help the sterile processing profession rise above challenges to protecting frontline technicians.
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Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Bioluminescence Testing and PerformanceIn 2003, the CDC recommended hospitals to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Later, they advised hospitals to closely supervise cleaning procedures near patients. This article explains what IPC personnel need to know about ATP testing.
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What Is hMPV, and Could It Be the Next Pandemic?A surge in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases highlights the need for improved detection, prevention, and public awareness, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
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Phage Therapy’s Future: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance With Precision VirusesBacteriophage 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.
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I’m Not Just an Infection PreventionistInfection preventionists (IP) can come from many different backgrounds. This is 1 opinion from 1 very successful IP who doesn't have an RN or a BSN and the bullying that sometimes occurs.
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Mosquito-Borne Pathogens and Climate Change: The Case of West Nile VirusThe article discusses the increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus (WNV), in the US due to climate change. It explores the transmission, clinical aspects, and prevention measures of WNV, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and action in mitigating the impact of these diseases.
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Forgotten Patients: The Immunocompromised Are Being Left BehindImmunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. But do the current treatments protect them? If not, then what needs to be done?
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Viewpoint: Omicron Surges Because Prevention Practices DriftedAs infection preventionists, we need to request that hospitals dust off the practices that were implemented during 2020. We need to reiterate that vaccination does not prevent infections, only severe illness.
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“A Coup Against Science”: Health Groups Decry Kennedy’s Firing of National Vaccine Advisory PanelHealth leaders are outraged after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly fired all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, calling it a political purge that threatens public trust and vaccine safety.
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Investment in Environmental Services Saves Money and Lives, Boosts Morale: An Example From GenevaEnvironmental services teams (EVS) are crucial players in ensuring patient satisfaction and combating health care–associated infections, yet, too many EVS teams are invisible. They deserve recognition, and this article by environmental hygiene experts explains why and how to give appreciation effectively.
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The Impact of Medicaid Cuts on Infection Prevention and Public HealthExperts Niobis Queiro, MBA, and Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA, discuss how Medicaid cuts could impact infection prevention, reduce vaccinations, and strain health systems, exacerbating health disparities.
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COVID-19 Hospital Stays Disrupt Long-Term Health, Financial StabilityClose to 85% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 said that they were not back to their pre-COVID lifestyle 1 month later, says the study.
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The Case for Merging Environmental Services and Infection Prevention Departments in HospitalsPreventable health care-associated infections (pHAIs) cost US health care facilities up to $123 million per day.
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The 90’s Club: A Successful Hand Hygiene Adherence CampaignThe "90’s SwipeSense Club" significantly improved hand hygiene adherence at Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center. By incentivizing adherence through 1990s-themed rewards and using SwipeSense technology to track hygiene practices, the hospital increased adherence rates from 53% in 2021 to 84% by May 2024.
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Addressing the Health Care Workforce Shortage: Strategies for Improving Patient Care and Reducing BurnoutThe health care staffing shortage impacts patient outcomes. Strategies in education, technology, and support roles aim to prepare resilient professionals and enhance job satisfaction amid challenges.
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First Responders Tackle Infection Control and Prevention ChallengesHow did first responders and firefighters navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath? Two firefighters/EMTs describe what that time was like for them.
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Clarifying Eligibility for the CIC Examination: Insights From CBIC Executive DirectorThe Executive Director of the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) addresses the eligibility guidelines for the Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) examination. While designed for success, these guidelines are not requirements, ensuring inclusivity for candidates from diverse infection prevention backgrounds. The CBIC emphasizes readiness and offers support to prospective CIC candidates.
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The Leapfrog Group and the Positive Effect on Hospital Hand HygieneThe Leapfrog Group enhances hospital safety by publicizing hand hygiene performance, improving patient safety outcomes, and significantly reducing health care-associated infections through transparent standards and monitoring initiatives.
