CDC Blog Addresses Cleaning Dialysis Stations Between Patients
The CDC, in collaboration with the Dialysis Bloodstream Infection Prevention Collaborative, has recently developed several new tools to prevent bloodstream infections among outpatient hemodialysis patients. Most recently, a new checklist tool for Dialysis Station Routine Disinfection was developed and piloted at St. Albans satellite clinic affiliated with Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Vermont. Today, on CDCs Safe Healthcare blog, Peggy Bushey, nurse manager for renal services at Fletcher Allen Healthcare, describes the impact of this new checklist on the St. Albans clinic. She reports several positive outcomes associated with waiting for the patient to leave the station before beginning routine disinfection. In a separate post on CDCs Safe Healthcare blog, Dr. Priti Patel, medical officer and lead of CDCs Dialysis Safety efforts, describes how elements of routine disinfection of the dialysis station are basic patient safety expectations. The new Dialysis Station Routine Disinfection checklist tool and accompanying Notes for Clinical Managers may be found in the Prevention Tools section of CDCs Dialysis Safety website. Join the conversation on CDCs Safe Healthcare blog: http://blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite 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.
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.
Streamlined IFU Access Boosts Infection Control and Staff Efficiency
June 17th 2025A 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.
Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital Infection Control
June 13th 2025Rooted 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.
AHE Exchange Summit 2025 Brings EVS and Infection Prevention Experts Together in Columbus, Ohio
June 9th 2025The 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.
