The past 5 years in medicine have seen significant advances in RNA vaccines, understanding immune dysregulation, and improved interspecialty communication, promising better disease eradication and tailored treatments.
Immune system. A complex network of organs, cells, and proteins that defend the body against infection.
(Adobe Stock 616158638 by Hadi)
The world of medicine has changed in the past half a decade. One evolving revolution is the new technology in RNA-mediated vaccines. Scientists conceived, created, tested, and delivered the COVID-19 vaccine at record speed and are now developing and testing RNA vaccines for HIV and malaria. The deep understanding of immune dysregulation as an underlying self-destructive cause of death in COVID-19 has translated to a new understanding of septic shock, adult respiratory disease syndrome, and many long-term indolent chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Our collective understanding of immune issues is what has changed the most. This new understanding offers immense promise as we look to eradicate diseases, solve chronic health care issues, and even tailor medicine to fit each patient's innate biological complexity. Researchers' ability to get into the minds of other experts and combine thinking with a new focus should allow for many advances. Here are 5 reasons our understanding of immune issues is changing and what it means for health care.
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.