The Infection Control Today® operating room page provides news articles and videos on the intersection between surgery and infection prevention. The operating room is a prime breeding ground for harmful pathogens to spread, resulting in surgical site infections. The role of the infection preventionist, together with the perioperative nursing staff, is to craft policies and processes to cut down on these infections and ensure patient safety during surgical procedures.
May 26th 2025
Flexible endoscopes revolutionized modern medicine—but their complex design poses persistent sterilization challenges. With mounting infection risks and emerging innovations, experts are rethinking how to clean and safeguard one of health care’s most indispensable tools.
Uncovering the Hidden Dangers: A Comprehensive Study on Insulated Medical Devices From 2021 to 2022
November 21st 2023This interview with Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL, CIS, CER, CFER, CRCST, delves into a robust year-long study, starting in 2021, investigating the often-overlooked risks associated with insulated medical devices impacting both patients and medical staff.
Overcoming Challenges to Eye Device Reprocessing: A 3-Year Study
October 25th 2023A recent American Journal of Infection Control study, led by Katharine Hoffman, MPH, CIC, LSSGB, and Lisa Waldowski, DNP, RN, CIC, applies Lean Six Sigma to improve eye device reprocessing. The research highlights the challenges, emphasizes adherence to manufacturer instructions, and promotes best practices for patient safety.
Protecting HCWs: Plague Doctor's Masks to the Personal Protective Equipment of Tomorrow
September 15th 2023Plague doctors' historical attire was an early form of PPE. While modern PPE has improved, the quest for better, more comfortable protection continues as we aim for a future where health care workers can provide care confidently.
OIG's Adverse Events Toolkits: Preventing Patient Harm
July 17th 2023As an oversight agency for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Inspector General is responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of Medicare and Medicaid programs, with a huge priority being patient care. These toolkits provide additional guidance on how to avoid patient injury.
Retaining and Developing the IPs of Tomorrow: How to Find Meaning as an Infection Preventionist
May 23rd 2023Infection preventionists come from many different backgrounds. However, many left the field during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will require creative methods to preserve existing IP staff and educate those entering the field.