Environmental Services

In this installment of Building Bridges in Infection Prevention, what a mattress mistake can cost both patient and facility.

Join global leaders in infection prevention, pandemic response, and public health strategy at the Health Watch USA 20th Annual Conference. This is your chance to gain actionable insights on emerging pathogens, vaccine misinformation, and antibiotic resistance, while earning CE credits at no cost. Don’t wait; Be part of the solution.

As drug-resistant infections rise, infection preventionists must look beyond outdated disinfectants. HOCl offers a safer, sustainable solution that has been proven effective, residue-free, and ready for health care use today.

Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.

Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.

A hospital-wide quality improvement project has transformed how staff access critical manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), improving infection prevention compliance and saving time through a standardized, user-friendly digital system supported by unit-based training and interdepartmental collaboration.

Rooted in ancient rituals of renewal, spring-cleaning has evolved from cultural tradition to a vital infection prevention strategy in modern hospitals—one that blends seasonal deep cleaning with advanced disinfection to reduce pathogens, improve air quality, and protect patients.

Infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility, but environmental services (EVS) professionals are often overlooked. At AHE’s Exchange25, Shannon Simmons, DHSc, is on a mission to change that.

The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is set to host its largest event of the year—Exchange Summit 2025—from June 8 to 11 in Columbus, Ohio. With over 600 environmental services (EVS) professionals expected to attend, this year’s conference focuses heavily on infection prevention, interdepartmental collaboration, and education that empowers frontline health care support leaders to improve patient safety and operational efficiency.

Manual cleaning gaps on shared hospital equipment can undermine infection control efforts. New research shows far UV-C light can serve as a safe, automated backup to reduce contamination in real-world clinical settings.

This article explores why it is essential to train housekeeping staff and leaders in health care facilities, emphasizing key reasons and evidence-based practices to back this necessity.

Despite their protective role, gloves are often misused in health care settings—undermining hand hygiene, risking patient safety, and worsening environmental impact. Alexandra Peters, PhD, points out that this misuse deserves urgent attention, especially today, World Hand Hygiene Day.

Hannah Schroeder, BSHA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, presented a workshop at HSPA Annual Conference on how sterile processing leaders are turning to quality management systems like AAMI ST90 to drive data-informed decisions, justify resources, and improve department-wide outcomes through advocacy.

Training EVS workers for hygiene excellence demands more than manuals—it requires active engagement, motor skills coaching, and teach-back techniques to reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.

Health care-associated infections are driving a shift toward disposable microfiber cloths, mop pads, and curtains—offering infection prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in one-time-use solutions.

Reducing surgical site infections goes beyond sterile technique—factors like OR traffic, PPE, and workflow interruptions significantly impact infection risk and patient outcomes.

A Portuguese hospital team significantly improved operating room cleanliness through targeted training, UV audits, and interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing patient safety and infection prevention at AORN 2025.

Veterinary IPs highlight critical gaps in cleaning protocols, training, and biosecurity, stressing the urgent need for standardized, animal-specific infection prevention practices across diverse care settings.

With health care systems under strain and infection preventionists being laid off nationwide, a little-known federal agency stands as a last line of defense against preventable patient harm. Yet the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is now facing devastating cuts—threatening decades of progress in patient safety.

Danielle Banks, a UK-based veterinary nurse, discusses the growing importance of infection prevention in animal care, tackling antimicrobial resistance, hand hygiene, and adapting human health care protocols.

Health care-associated infections pose a global threat. In the op-ed, experts advocate for Far-UVC light as a safe, effective tool to reduce airborne pathogens, enhancing infection control in hospitals and public spaces.

Hantavirus infections transmitted through rodent exposure can be deadly. To reduce transmission, infection prevention personnel should focus on early detection, rodent control, and public awareness.

Reusable health care textiles enhance infection prevention, reduce waste, and strengthen supply chains. Hygienically clean textiles offer a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to disposable PPE, ensuring patient safety and environmental responsibility.

Reusable PPE offers a cost-effective, sustainable solution for health care, reducing waste and improving supply chain resilience. Overcoming adoption barriers requires education, policy support, and industry-wide collaboration.

Silent threats lurk within—heart infections can stem from unnoticed bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Infection preventionists hold the power to stop these hidden killers before they strike.

At the 2025 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Dr. Marie Fluent passionately discussed infection control, emphasizing hand hygiene, waterlines, and the critical role of vaccinations in dental settings.

New research reveals hospital ventilation and air purifiers may unintentionally spread viral particles, increasing infection risks. Infection preventionists must rethink airflow strategies to protect patients and staff.

Despite revolutionary advancements like alcohol-based hand rubs, infection prevention still faces major hurdles. Poor adherence to hygiene, overreliance on technology, and understaffed environmental services create perfect storm conditions for deadly outbreaks.

Norovirus and avian influenza outbreaks require infection preventionists to enhance hygiene, train staff, implement PPE use, and ensure effective disinfection to protect health care workers, patients, and facilities.

Hospitals rely on automated disinfectant dispensers, but a study led by Curtis Donskey, MD, found inconsistent dilution levels, with some dispensers releasing only water. Improved monitoring and design modifications are essential.