"The Dirty Truth About Stethoscopes" and Other Must-Reads in ICT’s November/December 2025 Print Issue

As 2025 draws to a close, infection preventionists everywhere are facing both remarkable advances and sobering reminders of the basics we cannot afford to overlook. The November/December 2025 issue of Infection Control Today^®explores both sides of that reality, including how to bridge emerging technologies with timeless fundamentals that define strong infection prevention and control (IPC) programs.

The cover story, “The Dirty Truth About Stethoscopes,” examines one of the most handled yet least cleaned medical tools in health care. From contamination data to practical decontamination protocols, this feature uncovers how stethoscopes can serve as hidden reservoirs for pathogens and why routine disinfection must become a clinical standard. It is a wake-up call reminding us that sometimes the simplest objects demand the most vigilance.

Our Advanced Technology topic looks toward the future of antimicrobial resistance and automation. In “Multidrug-Resistant Infections Necessitate Bacteriophage Treatment: Can We Get There in Time?” Edward “Ted” Wright, PhD, explores bacteriophage therapy’s promise as antibiotic resistance accelerates worldwide. Meanwhile, Marjorie Wall, EDBA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CSSBB, in “The Human Factor in Automation,” reminds readers that even the most advanced systems still rely on human competency, training, and judgment.

Leadership and workforce well-being take center stage in “Motivating Leadership and the Team to Improve Employee Engagement, Reduce Burnout, and Build Career Paths,” by Betsy Donahue, MA. As health care teams continue to recover from years of strain, this article offers actionable guidance to strengthen morale and retain top IPC talent.

On the Environmental Services (EVS) front, “UV Technology and FDA Authorization: What Every Health Care Leader Should Know” unpacks the evolving regulatory landscape for whole-room UV microbial-reduction systems. Hospitals have invested heavily in UV disinfection “robots,” but do all of them meet FDA medical-device standards? This feature provides clarity for EVS leaders, infection preventionists, and executives alike.

The Operating Room topic turns its lens to specialty settings. Rebecca Leach, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, explores “Elevating Infection Prevention in Dental Clinics,” where surgical site infection prevention is finally gaining the attention it deserves. A separate study review, “Sterile Towels for Surgical Hand Antisepsis? New Study Says Clean Paper Works at a Lower Cost,” challenges long-held assumptions with fresh evidence and fiscal practicality.

Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC, presents this month’s Bug of the Month, “When the Horses Fell Silent,” blending microbiology, storytelling, and clinical lessons for modern practitioners. The Prevention and HAI topics go deeper, with pieces on the rising threat of NDM-CRE and how postinfection reviews can uncover correctable drivers of health care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections.

For those tracking the pulse of the profession, the Conference Coverage feature brings you to IDWeek 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, capturing key takeaways and future research directions that will shape infection prevention strategies in the coming year.

Finally, the Terminal Clean column, “Back to Basics: Why It’s the Smartest Move in IPC Right Now,” closes the issue with a powerful reminder: Even as we pursue innovation, excellence starts with consistent, meticulous fundamentals.

From high-tech breakthroughs to the humble stethoscope, every article in this issue reflects a single theme: Advancing patient safety through knowledge, collaboration, and action.

Read the full November/December 2025 issue now at infectioncontroltoday.com/journals/infection-control-today, and step into 2026 inspired, informed, and ready to lead the next era of infection prevention.