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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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Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie BelskiIn the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
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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.
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Infection Prevention Is Key in a Neonatal Intensive Care UnitThe smallest hospital patients need extra care to be protected from infectious disease. This article series examines the NICU from both a physician and infection preventionist perspective.
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Arcturus COVID-19 Variant: What Is Different From Past VariantsYet another subvariant. But what makes this one different? Should we be more concerned?
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Good Adherence Involves More Than Just a ChecklistInfection preventionists have been measuring hand hygiene with very little change in practice or retention of proper practice. Now is the time to think of new ways to improve hand hygiene and patient outcomes.
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I Was There: An Infection Preventionist on the COVID-19 PandemicDeep feelings run strong about the COVID-19 pandemic, and some beautiful art has come out of those emotions. Infection Control Today is proud to share this poem by Carmen Duke, MPH, CIC, in response to a recent article by Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC.
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Silent Saboteurs: Managing Endotoxins for Sepsis-Free SterilizationInvisible yet deadly, endotoxins evade traditional sterilization methods, posing significant risks during routine surgeries. Understanding and addressing their threat is critical for patient safety.
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Happy Hand Hygiene Day! Rethinking Glove Use for Safer, Cleaner, and More Ethical Health CareDespite their protective role, gloves are often misused in health care settings—undermining hand hygiene, risking patient safety, and worsening environmental impact. Alexandra Peters, PhD, points out that this misuse deserves urgent attention, especially today, World Hand Hygiene Day.
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Latest Advancements in Infection Prevention TechnologyPrograms seeking to implement advances in health care epidemiology must critically evaluate their impact on infection prevention processes, patient safety, and cost prior to wholesale adoption.
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Infection Prevention and Control Are Crucial in Dialysis SettingsThe hemodialysis setting presents a challenge for environmental cleaning and disinfection because of the demand for rapid turnover of stations.
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Focus on 4 Foundations of Patient SafetyHealth care-associated infection-reducing initiatives are vital to keeping patients safe.
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Infection Control and Prevention in the Outpatient Physical Office SettingUnlike hospitals, ambulatory settings have traditionally lacked adequate infrastructure and resources to support infection prevention and monitoring.
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Understanding Bioburden: Critical Steps in Ensuring Medical Device SafetyBioburden testing measures microbial life on medical devices before sterilization, crucial for patient safety and compliance with international standards. Learn why it is vital in the health care setting.
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Closing the Gap: Maximizing the Potential of UV-C Technology to Reduce Health Care-Associated InfectionsEffective implementation of UV-C disinfection is crucial to reducing HAIs. The Providence Holy Cross Medical Center achieved a 19% reduction in multidrug-resistant HAIs and saved $1.2 million through strategic deployment, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovative management.
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A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care SettingsWho knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
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Bacterial Transmission in Anesthesia Work Areas Explains Surgical Site InfectionsA recent study offers potential solutions to the frequent occurrence of surgical site infections, despite the sterile environment of surgical fields.
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Latest Advancements in Infection Prevention TechnologyPrograms seeking to implement advances in health care epidemiology must critically evaluate their impact on infection prevention processes, patient safety, and cost prior to wholesale adoption.
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The Case for an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Index in Health CareEvolving air quality monitoring technologies, like an IAQ Exposure Index, provide real-time data to detect airborne contaminants, enhance infection control, and protect vulnerable healthcare populations from respiratory exposures.
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Ethical and Practical Considerations Surrounding Mandatory VaccinationInfection preventionists and the hospital leadership teams need to communicate with all stakeholders to balance the health of the community and protect the current and future workforce.
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The Hardest Question in Infection Control: Did You Perform Hand Hygiene?Everyone in health care knows the importance of hand hygiene, but adherence in health care is often below 50%, and having a conversation regarding hand hygiene adherence with a coworker can be uncomfortable. What can an organization do to increase hand hygiene adherence?
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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Hand Hygiene Monitoring SystemHand hygiene requirements for inpatient health care are numerous and varied. An electronic system to help monitor adherence with some indications benefits the hospital, although it may also introduce some drawbacks.
