HAIs

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.

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.

An APIC26 poster described a systemwide initiative at Memorial Hermann Health System that improved staff understanding, consistency, and confidence in medical device cleaning and disinfection through education, manufacturer collaboration, and hands-on demonstrations.

A quality improvement initiative at Ocean University Medical Center found that reinstating hands-on urinary catheter competency training was associated with a 46% reduction in CAUTIs and improved infection metrics.

Test your infection prevention and control knowledge with this IPC-themed crossword puzzle featuring terms and concepts related to hand hygiene, sterilization, PPE, outbreak prevention, and healthcare-associated infections. Designed for health care professionals, the puzzle offers an engaging way to reinforce key IPC principles while promoting education and awareness.

When it comes to CLABSIs, the problem is not a lack of knowledge. It is that prevention still depends too heavily on perfect execution inside imperfect systems.

How plastic‑free wipes are helping hospitals reduce waste while delivering disinfecting performance.

A 7-year study at a 1,900-bed academic medical center in Singapore found no epidemiological link between contaminated endoscopes and postprocedural bloodstream infections, despite routine microbiological surveillance detecting residual contamination.

The global infection control supplies market is projected to grow from $58.5 billion in 2026 to $106.1 billion by 2035 as healthcare systems invest more heavily in infection prevention, sterilization technologies, PPE, and automated disinfection solutions. Driven by rising healthcare-associated infections, aging populations, chronic disease burden, and increasing regulatory pressure, the market is evolving toward smarter, technology-enabled infection prevention strategies across hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and outpatient care settings.

Test your infection prevention and control knowledge with this IPC-themed crossword puzzle featuring terms and concepts related to hand hygiene, sterilization, PPE, outbreak prevention, and health care-associated infections. Designed for health care professionals, the puzzle offers an engaging way to reinforce key IPC principles while promoting education and awareness.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This 6-part series chronicles the journey of 2 infection prevention leaders, Brenna Doran and Jessica Swain, who partnered to research and shed light on the critical issue of IP staffing in the current health care landscape. The fourth article in the series will focus on the impact of geographic variations and staffing models on the support for infection prevention programs.

Johns Hopkins experts warn malaria remains a global threat despite vaccine progress. Drug resistance, climate change, and funding cuts could reverse gains, highlighting the need for sustained investment, surveillance, and layered prevention strategies.

Health care–associated infections (HAIs) remain underestimated, driven by evolving pathogens, environmental reservoirs, and biofilm persistence. Experts argue outdated data and overreliance on hand hygiene obscure the true, growing burden of preventable infections.

A former infection prevention professional shares his battle with MRSA and sepsis, revealing the lasting impact of health care–associated infections and why vigilance, accountability, and patient advocacy matter more than ever.