Sterile processing professionals face constant interruptions, cognitive overload, increasingly complex devices, and hundreds of IFUs. Randalyn Harreld, CRCST, FHSPA, explains why health care organizations must address the human factors behind SPD performance rather than expecting frontline professionals to simply absorb ever-increasing complexity.
Long-acting HIV therapies promise greater convenience, but fewer doses alone may not solve adherence or access challenges. Lloyd Bibby and Pooja Goyal, MS(Pharm), discuss patient choice, weekly oral and injectable therapies, health system capacity, equitable access, and the real-world measures that will define success.
At AHE 2026 in New Orleans, The Beryl Institute's Stacy Palmer discussed 8 guiding principles for experience excellence and why EVS professionals influence far more than environmental cleanliness. Their interactions, workplace culture, and connection with patients help shape the overall human experience of health care.
At AHE Exchange 2026, ICT spoke with experts representing commercial laundry services, EVS, and infection prevention about the systems behind a successful reusable linen program. They discuss linen quality, reject rates, unnecessary waste, frontline education, data, PAR levels, infection prevention oversight, and why strong relationships between health care facilities and their laundry providers matter.
Can a UV-C robot make up for a surface that wasn't properly cleaned? Experts say that's the wrong way to think about the technology. UV-C can provide an additional layer of microbial reduction, but factors including shadows, distance, positioning, and exposure time mean it cannot replace thorough manual cleaning and disinfection.
During an expert panel at Exchange26 on whole-room microbial reduction technologies, regulatory and health care leaders discussed the distinction between FDA and EPA oversight, what constitutes a medical device claim, the risks surrounding unauthorized or off-label claims, and why IP and EVS professionals should verify a device's regulatory status rather than relying solely on vendor presentations.
“Cutting” waste shouldn’t mean cutting people. At AHE Exchange26, David Green and Donald Sipp explored how EVS departments can improve performance by strengthening workplace culture, empowering employees, eliminating inefficient processes, and understanding EVS’s critical role in patient throughput. One case study showed bed turnaround times falling from nearly 2 hours to less than an hour, but the larger lesson wasn't simply about speed. High-performing EVS operations begin with a strong foundation.
At AHE Exchange26, experts revealed how surprisingly small gaps in linen education can contribute to waste, higher costs, and potential patient safety risks. The solution begins with something simple: helping everyone who touches health care linen understand why their role matters.
Community health workers in Malawi are helping close pediatric HIV care gaps by tracing children who miss testing, addressing barriers to care, and connecting vulnerable families with treatment and support.
Malawi has made major progress against HIV among adults, but children continue to lag behind. Community health workers are helping close that gap by finding HIV-exposed infants and children who have fallen out of facility-based care.
In this complete interview, ICT speaks with Endale Tilahun, MD, MPH, about a Malawi community program that reduced missed HIV testing and achieved 0.2% positivity among exposed infants through household follow-up, individualized case management, and coordinated health and social support.
Phase 3 ISLEND trials presented at AIDS 2026 found an investigational once-weekly oral HIV regimen maintained viral suppression comparable to daily therapy while improving treatment satisfaction and flexibility.
APIC 2026 presenters Ekaete Usoh, MPH, MSc, CIC, VA-BC, and Risha Patel, MPH, CIC, shared practical strategies for reducing health care-associated infections through health equity, standardized data tracking, and interdisciplinary collaboration while encouraging infection preventionists to take advantage of APIC's educational and networking opportunities.
What happens when your hospital is located on an island, and supplies take weeks to arrive? At APIC2026, Emily Frost, MPH, CIC, LTC-CIP, of Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center, shared how a critical access hospital in Alaska uses innovation, collaboration, and hands-on problem-solving to meet infection prevention and regulatory standards despite significant logistical challenges.
At APIC2026, Monica Pogorzelska-Maziarz, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, FACE, of Villanova University, received the Elaine Larson Distinguished Scientist Award and reflected on mentorship, collaboration, and research that support infection preventionists across the continuum of care.
Researchers at Advocate Children's Hospital used genomic sequencing, active surveillance, and targeted infection prevention interventions to investigate and control a NICU CLABSI outbreak. Findings presented at #APIC2026 showed the cluster was not caused by a single hypervirulent MSSA strain but highlighted opportunities to strengthen hand hygiene, line maintenance, and ongoing surveillance.
Researchers used whole genome sequencing and traditional epidemiology to trace a cluster of Paraburkholderia fungorum bloodstream infections to contaminated nonsterile ultrasound gel, prompting national safety recommendations.
A quality improvement initiative at Ocean University Medical Center found that reinstating hands-on urinary catheter competency training was associated with a 46% reduction in CAUTIs and improved infection metrics.
At HSPA 2026 in Baltimore, Malinda Elammari shares why education, certification, and data literacy are critical to advancing sterile processing. Learn how stronger advocacy and recognition can elevate SPD’s role in patient safety and health care outcomes.
Sterile processing leaders Rebecca Lauber, FHSPA, and Vanessa Frank share insights from their HSPA 2026 presentation on career growth, professional identity, and active learning. Their message is clear: Empowering technicians, strengthening education, and building confidence are key to advancing patient safety and the future of sterile processing.
At HSPA 2026 in Baltimore, sterile processing leaders Katie Belski, BSHCA, a-IPC, CRCST, CHL, CIS, CER; and Nicole Simon, CIS, CHL, CRCST, emphasized collaboration, mentorship, and stronger relationships between SPD and other departments to improve communication, resources, and patient safety across health care systems.
A case study presented at HSPA 2026 revealed how 2 VA facilities overcame persistent bacteria, conductivity, and biofilm issues in sterile processing water systems through recirculation, system mapping, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
HSPA 2026 in Baltimore opened with record preconference attendance, expanded educational sessions, charitable community outreach, and global networking, highlighting the growing influence and momentum of sterile processing professionals across healthcare.
Scan fatigue is affecting sterile processing workflows, resulting in gaps in documentation and adherence. At HSPA 2026, Deannard Esnard, CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL, CFER, CQUIA, discusses the need to streamline tracking systems, improve staff engagement, and strengthen patient safety.
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.
