What makes contact tracing effective during an Ebola outbreak? This article explains how IPs and public health teams use the same core principles, such as rapid case identification, exposure assessment, contact monitoring, and community engagement, to reduce disease transmission. Using the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC as a case study, it highlights why trust, surveillance, and high contact follow-up rates remain essential to successful IPC efforts worldwide.
What are the most common infection control violations in dental practices? This article explains why hand hygiene, improper PPE use, and failure to wear utility gloves continue to challenge dental teams and offers practical, evidence-based strategies to improve OSHA adherence, strengthen infection prevention practices, and enhance patient and staff safety.
Why do outbreaks involving Cyclospora, Ebola, Legionnaires' disease, contaminated medical devices, and recalled consumer products matter to infection preventionists? This editorial examines the common lessons from today's emerging infectious threats and explains how surveillance, environmental safety, health care worker protection, and preparedness strengthen infection prevention and control programs across all health care settings.
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.
Many infection preventionists from nonclinical backgrounds experience imposter syndrome despite demonstrating strong technical expertise and measurable patient safety outcomes. This commentary explores how mentorship, leadership development, and organizational support can strengthen professional identity, improve retention, and help the infection prevention profession embrace diverse educational pathways.
A new lawsuit alleges a contaminated Olympus duodenoscope transmitted a VRE infection during an ERCP, renewing concerns about endoscope reprocessing, device design, biofilm, and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. What should IPC professionals know?
Manufacturer instructions that don't work in the real world? APIC and ACHC just released a game-changing toolkit. Learn how infection prevention and facilities leaders can now evaluate problematic disinfection guidelines with confidence, balance adherence with operations, and protect patient safety. Read the solution.
More than 100 health care workers have been infected during the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. While the risk to US health care facilities remains low, the outbreak provides powerful lessons about PPE readiness, surveillance, staffing, and community trust. This commentary explores why infection preventionists should pay close attention, not because Ebola is coming here, but because the challenges are universal.
A microscopic parasite called Cyclospora is spreading across 17 states. 145 people are sick. Health care workers need to know the warning signs, how to diagnose it, and what to do. Read why this outbreak matters and how to respond.
Think you know your infection control acronyms? Test your expertise with our ICT Expert Acronym Challenge! From CLABSI to VRE, this 20-question puzzle covers essential health care-acquired infection prevention terminology that every infection control professional should master. How many can you match correctly? Try the challenge now! Perfect for IPC specialists, infection prevention coordinators, and health care epidemiologists!
Health care–associated infections are not prevented by policies alone. They are prevented when health care professionals understand why infection prevention practices matter. This commentary explores how combining evidence-based practices with education, competency, and a clear rationale transforms compliance into ownership. When staff understand the science behind hand hygiene, PPE, sterilization, and surveillance, they are better equipped to make informed decisions, adapt to changing situations, and engage patients and families in preventing HAIs.
As the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda grows, this commentary examines why sustained investment in NETEC and the National Special Pathogen System remains essential for US preparedness.
Emerging research shows the human microbiome plays a critical role in preventing health care-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance, and dysbiosis, offering new opportunities for infection prevention and patient care.
A Connecticut man's ear infection allegedly progressed to a bone infection and brain abscess, highlighting how routine infections can occasionally become life-threatening when symptoms worsen or spread.
Emerging breath analysis technologies could provide faster, less invasive detection of bacterial infections and help clinicians monitor antibiotic response, though significant research and regulatory hurdles remain before widespread clinical adoption.
A real-world study from Brazil found the TAK-003 dengue vaccine provided strong protection against symptomatic disease and hospitalization, offering new evidence to inform vaccination strategies during large dengue outbreaks.
What determines whether an Ebola outbreak explodes? According to a new CDC model, it may be less about the virus and more about how long it spreads before it's recognized. Early detection remains one of the most powerful tools in infection prevention.
As health care-associated infections remain a major patient safety challenge, health care providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and medical device companies are investing in advanced sterilization technologies. From AI-powered monitoring and automation to low-temperature sterilization systems for complex medical devices, the sterilization equipment market is rapidly evolving to meet growing infection prevention demands. Learn what is driving market growth, how new technologies are improving safety and efficiency, and why sterilization remains a critical component of modern health care and life sciences operations.
Can structured retention meetings help reduce turnover among infection preventionists? At APIC 2026, Morgan Anderson of Overlake Medical Center Clinics shared how one-hour conversations focused on employee frustrations, strengths, and career goals improved engagement, generated actionable improvements, and helped strengthen workforce retention. Learn why professional development and proactive leadership discussions may be key to keeping talented IPs in the field.
Can a study group improve CIC exam success? According to Patty Montgomery, infection preventionists say yes. At APIC 2026, Montgomery shared findings from nearly 10 years of leading a CIC study group, highlighting the value of peer support, free educational resources, and emerging tools such as AI. Her experience shows that certification is not just about passing an exam—it's about building a stronger infection prevention community.
Why do listeria outbreaks continue to cause severe illness and death despite food safety regulations? Learn how this resilient bacterium contaminates ready-to-eat foods, why older adults and immunocompromised patients face the greatest risk, and what can be done to prevent future outbreaks.
What should infection preventionists do when a patient presents with possible anthrax exposure after a suspicious incident? This article explores a realistic bioterrorism response scenario, highlighting the critical role of infection preventionists, public health partnerships, and laboratory coordination. It also introduces Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva), an emerging pathogen that can mimic anthrax while appearing to be a common laboratory contaminant. Learn how to recognize potential biosecurity threats, navigate specimen management, and build the public health relationships needed before an emergency occurs.
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.
A recent hantavirus outbreak linked to an Atlantic cruise ship has raised questions about whether the virus could spark another global health emergency. While experts say the risk of a COVID-19-style pandemic remains low, the outbreak highlights the unique concerns surrounding the Andes virus, the only hantavirus known to spread from person to person. Learn how hantaviruses are transmitted, why the Andes virus is different, the symptoms clinicians should recognize, and what infection prevention and public health professionals need to know about this emerging outbreak.
After identifying 2 colon surgical site infections in 2024, Orlando Health South Lake Hospital implemented a standardized perioperative checklist to improve adherence with colorectal SSI prevention practices. Presented at APIC 2026, the project increased appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, reduced inappropriate antibiotic use, maintained 100% adherence with clean-dirty instrument protocols, and was associated with the elimination of additional colon SSIs during 2025.
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.
"Bourbon tick" isn't a joke, as seen in the latest diagnosed case in Long Island, New York. Bourbon virus is a rare tickborne disease linked to severe illness and growing concern among researchers. Learn the symptoms, risks, and prevention strategies as awareness of this emerging pathogen grows.
Live from APIC 2026 in Nashville, the Contagious Conversations team discussed workforce diversity, AI in infection prevention, professional networking, and why APIC remains essential for infection preventionists at every career stage.
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.
A poster at the APIC Annual Conference and Exposition held from June 15 to 17, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. After managing bloodborne pathogen exposures affecting more than 3,000 patients, Providence Health & Services developed a multidisciplinary playbook to improve preparedness, communication, and response during future large-scale events.
