The 2026 Ebola outbreak is forcing infection prevention teams to confront a difficult question: Are hospitals truly prepared for a high-consequence infectious disease event today? With the rare Bundibugyo strain spreading across Central Africa and no licensed vaccine or approved treatment available, experts say now is the time for facilities to reopen, review, and test the HCID response plans many have not touched since 2015.
The 2026 Ebola outbreak has now spread to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with the WHO reporting more than 513 cases and over 130 suspected deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. This article examines the outbreak through both a global health and infection prevention lens, highlighting concerns over weakened public health infrastructure, CDC staffing cuts, reduced USAID funding, and lessons still unlearned from prior Ebola and COVID-19 responses. Experts warn that while widespread US transmission remains unlikely, early investment in global outbreak response is critical to preventing future public health emergencies.
Candida auris continues to challenge infection prevention programs worldwide as cases rise across health care settings and multidrug resistance limits treatment options. In this article, Ayaz Majid, PhD, director of product management at Diasorin, explores why rapid molecular diagnostics are becoming essential tools for identifying colonized patients, supporting isolation protocols, and helping health care facilities prevent outbreaks before they spread.
The article examines a recent hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship on the Atlantic Ocean and explains why experts say it is unlikely to become another COVID-19-style pandemic. It reviews how hantaviruses spread, the severe clinical syndromes they can cause, current prevention and infection control measures, and the urgent need for better diagnostics, treatments, vaccines, and surveillance as concerns grow over rare person-to-person transmission involving the Andes virus.
Sterile processing departments are often called the invisible backbone of surgical care, but a recent investigation involving Penn State Health and Milton S. Hershey Medical Center highlights what can happen when those systems come under pressure. Reports of contaminated instrument trays, sterilization backlogs, staffing strain, and communication breakdowns are raising broader questions about patient safety, infection prevention infrastructure, and operational priorities across health care. ***Updated with an answer from Penn State Health.
A rare hantavirus outbreak linked to a South American cruise ship is drawing global attention, but experts say fears of a COVID-19-style pandemic are largely unsupported. Infectious disease physician Matthew Pullen, MD, discusses Andes virus transmission, misinformation, cruise ship risks, and what health care professionals should really be watching for.
New evidence suggests UV-C disinfection may do more than reduce pathogens. Repeated exposure can also damage common health care plastics, potentially creating microcracks and roughened surfaces that harbor microorganisms. Experts say material compatibility must become part of every UV-C infection prevention strategy.
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.
This 6-part series will chronicle the essential strategies and professional insights needed to empower infection preventionists (IPs) in their job search. In partnership with Jonnie Jacobs, an executive recruiter at Clutch Recruitment, this series will offer a comprehensive guide to navigating the current health care job market. This third article in the series focuses on connecting with specialized recruiters and navigating the hiring process.
A new podcast, The Safety Spectrum, explores workforce challenges in infection prevention, particularly the barriers faced by qualified professionals without nursing credentials, despite CMS and other regulatory bodies recognizing infection prevention as a multidisciplinary field. The article highlights ongoing staffing shortages, evolving workforce demographics, and the need for more inclusive hiring practices to strengthen patient safety and rebuild the infection prevention profession.
Why should infection preventionists pay attention to a rare hantavirus cruise outbreak? Because it underscores a critical reality: pathogens do not follow expected patterns. This case highlights the need for system-wide vigilance, environmental hygiene, and preparedness in high-density travel settings. For IPs, it’s a powerful reminder that effective infection prevention extends beyond health care facilities and must anticipate emerging risks before they escalate.
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.
As people with HIV live longer due to ART, new challenges are emerging. Aging with HIV is linked to higher risks of comorbidities, chronic inflammation, and drug interactions, while gaps in clinical trial inclusion and care models highlight the need for more integrated, patient-centered treatment strategies.
On World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5), new insights highlight a critical gap: even when compliance is documented, sanitizer dose size may limit effectiveness, making proper ABHR dosing essential for true infection prevention.
Handwashing gaps persist despite high awareness, according to Bradley’s 2026 survey. As World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5) marks 17 years, experts stress clean restrooms, access, and behavior change are key to infection prevention.
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 Kansas jury awarded $7.65 million in a fatal KU Medical infection case tied to contaminated heater-cooler devices, renewing attention on Mycobacterium chimaera risks, device disinfection failures, and patient safety in cardiac surgery.
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.
Improper glove use in health care can turn protective barriers into vectors of infection, increasing contamination risks, cross-transmission, and HAIs when hand hygiene and proper protocols are not consistently followed.
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.
The Clean Bite's Sherrie Busby and Becki McFadden write on how proper PPE use in dental settings reduces infection risk from aerosols and sharps, protecting providers and patients through consistent use of masks, gloves, face shields, and protective apparel.
A new oral therapy, TP-05, could transform Lyme disease prevention by targeting ticks before transmission, offering a flexible, on-demand option beyond traditional behavioral strategies in high-risk populations.
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.
