Insights from IDWeek 2012, a special thematic digital issue produced by Infection Control Today magazine, features highlights from select symposia and oral abstracts presented at the inaugural IDWeek event, a joint meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS).
The meeting convened leading researchers and practitioners from around the world to showcase the latest developments in the field. Sessions presented advances in basic, translational and clinical research in infectious diseases, including HIV infection and healthcare epidemiology, and provided state-of-the-art updates on key issues. With the theme "Advancing Science, Improving Care," IDWeek featured the latest science and bench-to-bedside approaches in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology of infectious diseases across the lifespan.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
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.