News

Bug of the Month

The Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens that are clinically important in today's health care facilities. This month’s Bug of the Month isn’t quite like anything we’ve featured before. Can you solve the clues before the final reveal?

Peter Graves, BSN, RN, CNOR Justin McKay Jill Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, AL-CIP Tori Whitacre Martonicz, MA

Reusable lead aprons and thyroid collars are used daily throughout hospitals, but often fall outside standardized cleaning protocols. Infection prevention and perioperative experts discuss contamination risks, ATP testing, operational barriers, and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen environmental hygiene and reduce the risk of HAIs.

Peter Graves, BSN, RN, CNOR Justin McKay Jill Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, AL-CIP Tori Whitacre Martonicz, MA

Reusable lead aprons and thyroid collars are used daily throughout hospitals, but often fall outside standardized cleaning protocols. Infection prevention and perioperative experts discuss contamination risks, ATP testing, operational barriers, and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen environmental hygiene and reduce the risk of HAIs.

A Note with “Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)” on the doctor's desk   (Adobe Stock 1564334289 by Kamitana)

Antimicrobial resistance hotspot mapping combines laboratory results, antibiotic prescribing, patient movement, and environmental data to identify where resistant pathogens emerge and spread. Emerging research suggests integrated surveillance, AI, and One Health collaboration could improve infection prevention while helping health systems detect resistance earlier and target interventions more effectively.