Prevention

At AORN26 in New Orleans, a poster highlights surgical smoke risks, urging nationwide evacuation policies to protect health care workers and patients and strengthen nurse-led advocacy for safer operating rooms.

AORN26 highlights a colorectal SSI prevention bundle using evidence-based isolation techniques, interdisciplinary collaboration, and audit tracking to improve compliance and reduce infection risk in perioperative practice.

AORN26 highlights a multidisciplinary, culture-driven approach that reduced colon surgical site infections by over 27%, demonstrating how standardized bundles, collaboration, and perioperative alignment can significantly improve patient outcomes.

AORN26 highlights how using the teach-back method during PACU discharge education improved patient understanding and reduced surgical site infections, demonstrating the critical role of communication in infection prevention beyond the OR.

AORN26 highlights how collaboration between the operating room and sterile processing department (SPD) reduced instrument contamination, minimized case delays, and improved patient safety, reinforcing the critical role of SPD partnerships in perioperative infection prevention.

AORN26 highlights a hands-on Scrub Bootcamp program that improves perioperative nurse readiness, confidence, and procedural skills, offering a scalable model to strengthen operating room training and patient safety.

Clean linen isn’t risk-free after washing. Storage, handling, environment, and transport can reintroduce microbes—making proper separation, minimal handling, and controlled conditions essential for infection prevention.

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.

Childhood vaccination coverage is declining, with sharp drops in influenza uptake and widening disparities by race, income, and access. CDC data warn that these trends increase outbreak risk and underscore the urgent need for targeted vaccination efforts.

A new global study reveals meningitis caused 259,000 deaths in 2023, with children most affected, highlighting stalled progress, vaccine gaps, and the need for stronger surveillance and prevention strategies.

Antimicrobial resistance threatens all of modern medicine. Infectious disease expert Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, warns that health care workers face occupational exposure to drug-resistant bacteria. Judicious antibiotic use and policy reforms like the PASTEUR Act are critical solutions.

HSPA President Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL, SME, DSMD, CRMST, discusses certification advocacy, Capitol Hill efforts, workforce challenges, and why sterile processing is essential to patient safety, urging leaders to recognize and support the professionals behind every successful surgical outcome.

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.

Phase 3b ENCORE data show ARIKAYCE improves symptoms and culture conversion in newly diagnosed MAC lung disease, supporting earlier use. Findings suggest potential to shift treatment earlier and improve outcomes in this difficult-to-treat infection.

AI and agentic systems are transforming infection prevention by enabling real-time surveillance, predictive risk modeling, and earlier intervention, shifting health care from reactive response to proactive prevention and improving patient safety outcomes.

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.

New research shows the Marburg virus enters human cells far more efficiently than Ebola, highlighting increased outbreak risk and underscoring the need for rapid detection, strict infection control, and novel antiviral development.

The global medical waste management market is rapidly growing, driven by healthcare expansion, regulations, and sustainability demands, transforming waste handling into a strategic priority for safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible health care systems.

Tuberculosis affects 10.7 million annually. IPC professionals prevent health care-associated TB through respiratory isolation, staff screening, and contact investigation. World TB Day 2026 affirms TB elimination is achievable through dedicated infection prevention.

Sherrie Busby, steps out of dental IPC to highlight infection control risks in Alzheimers care, including UTIs, C difficile, and hygiene practices. Practical tips on handwashing, PPE, and environmental cleaning emphasize protecting vulnerable patients while supporting caregivers’ health and resilience in home settings and safety outcomes.

Peptilogics' PLG0206 represents a breakthrough innovation in infectious disease. First drug designed specifically to penetrate and kill biofilm-protected bacteria. RETAIN Phase 2/3 trial now enrolling patients with prosthetic joint infection. The previous phase showed 93% infection-free rate. It could revolutionize the treatment of medical device-related infections.

Ill-fitting PPE exposes women health care workers to infection risks, regulatory liability, and reduced performance. Wyatt Bradbury, MEng, CSP, CHST, CIT, TSSP, urges infection prevention leaders to assess fit, engage staff, and improve procurement practices to ensure safety, compliance, and equitable protection across clinical environments.