COVID-19

Infection control nurse Eddie Jay LeCastillo, MSN, RN, CNL, CRRN, CIC, LTC-CIP, found his calling during the pandemic, transforming policy work into a mission to strengthen hospital safety through clarity, engagement, and preparedness.

As climate change accelerates, health care’s environmental impact faces increased scrutiny, with sterile processing departments (SPDs) emerging as key change agents. Often behind the scenes, SPD professionals can lead sustainability by turning routine practices into ecofriendly protocols that protect both patient and planetary health.

At APIC 2025, Metrex Research marked a major milestone—4 decades of partnering with infection preventionists. Infection Control Today caught up with Senior Marketing Manager Cheryl Collins, MPH, and clinical advisor Sharon Ward-Fore, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC, to talk legacy, innovation, and why supporting IPs will always be at the heart of what Metrex does best.

As the FDA limits COVID-19 vaccine approvals to high-risk groups, healthy adults and pregnant individuals are being left behind. Learn how these changes could impact insurance coverage, long COVID prevention, and public health strategies.

New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.

The pandemic opened unexpected doors for infection preventionists, pushing their expertise beyond hospital walls into schools and communities where stopping infections at the source matters more than ever.

Despite its critical role in patient safety, infection prevention and control (IPC) remains one of health care’s most misunderstood and understructured professions. While COVID-19 thrust IPC into the spotlight, the field still lacks a clear entry path, standardized training, and broad institutional recognition, leaving many professionals to learn on the job with minimal guidance.

Infection preventionists are at the forefront of the infodemic; the keynote session offered suggestions on how they can combat and mitigate misinformation.

A 758-bed quaternary medical center slashed catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) by 45% over 2 years, proving that disciplined adherence to fundamental prevention steps, not expensive add-ons, can reverse the pandemic-era spike in device-related harm.

As federal cuts reshape public health, students nationwide are reacting with fear, frustration, and renewed resolve as they face an uncertain future in the field.

The CDC’s updated hospital respiratory reporting requirement has added new layers of responsibility for infection preventionists. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down what it means and how IPs can adapt.

As infection threats evolve and the IP workforce faces burnout and attrition, a new study reveals a critical weak spot: inconsistent access to infection prevention certification—and the training needed to succeed.

Policy changes made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr as the HHS Secretary are alarming health care providers, including changes in water fluoridization, COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, and more.

This issue covers COVID-19, measles, H5N1, screwworms, bedbugs, AI, and more.

In a major shift, the CDC has pulled routine COVID-19 vaccine guidance for healthy children and pregnant women, sparking sharp reactions from medical leaders.

Key Takeaways from WHO’s 2024 Global Report and Insights from Real-world Experience

As infection prevention infrastructure unravels, professionals face déjà vu from the pandemic’s darkest days—making resilience not just important, but essential for survival and progress.

Deep 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.

With staffing shortages and rising infection risks, the TEPHI 200-Series delivers accessible, high-impact training to empower healthcare professionals and strengthen infection prevention efforts nationwide.

What truly occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic? Is the new COVID.gov website accurate for those who worked in public health throughout the pandemic? A public health worker answers.

This week’s Infection Control Today’s Hot Topics in IPC discusses the latest in the measles outbreak, H5N1 in cattle herds, and more.

Mass layoffs at HHS and CDC have gutted critical infection prevention programs, leaving frontline professionals overwhelmed, under-resourced, and desperate to safeguard public health.

This week's Infection Control Today's Hot Topics in IPC discusses US health leadership, H5N1, and more.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending March 23, 2025.

Dr Noah Greenspan discusses the evolving understanding of long COVID, current treatment strategies, diagnostic challenges, and the critical need for research and awareness in post-viral syndromes.