FEBRUARY REFERENCES
STERILITY ASSURANCE THROUGH QUALITY CONTROL, BY HEIDE AMES, BS, ANDSANDRA LEE, BSM, RN, PAGE 18.
1.ANSI/AAMI ST46:2002; Steam sterilization and sterility assurance in healthcare facilities: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation,2002.
2. ANSI/AAMI ST371996; Flash Sterilization: Steam sterilization of patientcare items for immediate use: Association for the Advancement of MedicalInstrumentation, 1996.
3. Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN): Standards andRecommended Practices and Guidelines, Sterilization in the PerioperativePractice Setting, 2000.
KEEPING A CLEAN SLATE: THE EFFORT TO PROTECT INSTRUMENTATION FROM TOUGHINFECTIOUS AGENTS SUCH AS BIOFILM AND CJD PRIONS, BY KRIS ELLIS, PAGE 24.
1. Presterl E, et al. Viridans streptococci in endocarditis and neutropenicsepsis: biofilm formation and effects of antibiotics. J Antimicrob Chemother.2004 Nov 24.
2. Rutala WA, Weber DJ. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: recommendations fordisinfection and sterilization. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 May 1;32(9):1348-56.
3. WHO Infection Control Guidelines for Transmissible SpongiformEncephalopathies. Report of a WHO Consultation, Geneva, Switzerland, 23-26 March1999. http://www.who.int/emcdocuments/tse/whocdscsraph2003c.html
4. Fichet G,et al. Novel methods for disinfection of prion-contaminated medical devices. Lancet.2004 Aug 7;364(9433):521-6
5. Fichet G, et al. Novel methods for disinfectionof prion-contaminated medical devices. Lancet. 2004 Aug 7;364(9433):521
HOW TO SECURE A PERIPHERAL IV CATHETER, BYBONNIE TROTTIER, RN, CRNI, PAGE 34.
1. Moreau N, Iannucci A.L. (2003). Catheter securement: trends in performanceand complications associated with the use of either traditional methods or anadhesive anchor device. JVAD (Spring 2003), 29-33.
2. Occupational Health & Safety Administration. Fact Sheet: SecuringMedical Catheters http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/factsheet_catheters.html.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Phillips I.. Manual of I.V. Therapeutics. Philadelphia, F.A. DavisCompany, 1993: 233-34.
6. Wood D. (1997). A comparative study of two securement techniques for shortperipheral intravenous catheters. Journal of Intravenous Nursing 20(6),280-285.
7. Schatzlein K.(2003). Hold tight: keeping catheters secure. Nursing 33(3),20-21.
8. Sheppard K, Ledosma M, Morris N, OConnor K. (1999). A prospective studyof two intravenous catheter securement techniques in a skilled nursing facility.Journal of Intravenous Nursing 22(3), 151 156.
9. Wood D. (1997). Op. cit.
10. Needlestick prevention. MedPro Month 2000 10(2).
11. Spotlight on Solutions Compendium of Successful Practices. PatientSafety Initiative 2000, Volume 1. Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations,2000.
12. Wood D. Bowe-Geddes L. (1997). A comparative retrospective analysis oftwo securement techniques for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) and midlines inthe homecare setting. Journal of Vascular Access Devices 2(3), 11-16.
13. Royer T.I. (2003). Improving short peripheral IV outcomes: a clinicaltrial of two securement methods. JAVA 8(4), TK pages.
14. Aiken LH, Clarke SP, et al. (2002). Hospital nurse staffing and patientmortality, nurse burnout, and job dissatisfaction. JAMA. 288(16), 1987-1993.
STANDARDS OF PRACTICE: HISTORICAL VOICES CRY OUT, PATIENT FIRST, BY BECKI JENKINS, CST, RCST, CRCST, FEL, PAGE 42.
1. www.accessexcellence.com , the national health museum, ActivitiesExchange, Case, Christine, L. ED.D, microbiology professor at Skyline College.
2. www.fda.com
4. www.AORN.org
5. www.AAMI.org
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.
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
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.