Ill See You in Cyberspace!

Have you checked out our new Web sites? The redesign project of the ICT and ICE Institute Web sites is another component of our ongoing improvements to the entire infection-prevention education platform we provide, and a fitting endeavor during our 10th year anniversary, being celebrated throughout 2006. In talking to so many of you over the years, I know that you enjoy the print version of ICT and I thank you for being such loyal readers for so long. But dont be afraid to embrace technology and visit ICT online, because there is a brand-new world of information on this content-rich site. In exchange for a few more mouse clicks, youll be able to access ICTs deep archive of articles and information, but in a better organized and more relevant fashion. In addition, weve introduced a number of new features youre sure to enjoy. I am gratified that so many of you have already visited The Bug-Buster Blog, in which I try to share the days most interesting tidbits related to infection-prevention issues. Ill try to make you laugh, Ill try to make you think, and I hope youll feel free to tell me what you think through our online comment opportunity. The interaction doesnt end there. I invite you to cast your vote in our monthly poll, and most importantly, I encourage you to visit our new online communities for OR, CS/SPD personnel, and ICPs, with a community for ES folks in the works for the near future.

Within these communities, youll find helpful industry guidelines and recommendations for practice, as well as the chance to ask questions of our resident experts, smart people who have significant experience in their respective fields. Submit your question to us, and in a few days, well post the question and the answer from our expert online. We are also archiving these Q&As in order to provide you with a helpful repository of practical information, advice, and ideas from your colleagues and peers. Go to www.infectioncontroltoday.com for all this and more!

Dont forget to also visit the Infection Control Education Institute Web site at www.iceinstitute.com to check out our great selection of continuing education units as well as our Webinar series, Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Acquired Infections (HAIs). Thousands of you have experienced these on-demand events, presented by ICT and the ICE Institute, featuring well-known and respected speakers who work in the infection-prevention trenches. Past events have addressed the basics of HAIs, as well as surgical site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-related infections, and hand hygiene. Upcoming Webinar topics include mandatory reporting of infections, understanding and implementing industry guidelines and recommendations, making the business case for the prevention of HAIs, and much more. If you have yet to experience these free, dynamic learning opportunities, please take a moment to do so, because we believe they provide a convenient way to educate healthcare workers and improve patient outcomes.

Over the coming months well be adding to and refining our online content in response to your suggestions, including a new portal with consumer-oriented infection-prevention information, so please drop me a line if you have feedback youd like to share. I also want to remind you that you can receive additional news every Tuesday through the ICT E-Update, our weekly e-newsletter, by signing up on the ICT Web site.

Until next month, bust those bugs!

Kelly M. Pyrek
Editor in Chief
kpyrek@vpico.com