"The Making of the Modern OR," by Kathy Dix, page 16
1. HIPAA web site: www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa.08/16/02.
2. Kenyon TA, et al. Dedicated minimally invasive surgery suites increaseoperating room efficiency. Surg Endosc. 2001;15:1140-3.
"CDC's Endorsement of Alcohol Hand Rubs Launches New Era in HandHygiene," by Kathy Dix, page 24
1. Pittet et al. Ann Intern Med 1999, 130:126.
2. Boyce JM, Kelliher S, Vallande N. Skin irritation and dryness associatedwith two hand-hygiene regimens: soap-and-water handwashing versus handantisepsis with an alcoholic hand gel. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2000;21:442--8
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for Hand Hygiene inHealth-Care Settings: Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection ControlPractices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene TaskForce. MMWR 2002;51(No. RR-16)
"In Hindsight: Reviewing Healthcare's Hurdles of 2002," by Kelli M.Donley, page 30
1. Public Health Dispatch: Vancomycin-Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus -Pennsylvania, 2002. APIC. October 11, 2002. www.apic.org/news/20021010vrsa.cfm
2. Interim Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Staphylococcal InfectionAssociated with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin. Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention. July 1997. www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/10_20.pdf.
3. Nurse Reinvestment Act is "Step in the Right Direction' to SolvingNursing Shortage, Says Nurse. Service Employees International Union. July 23,2002. www.seiu.org
4. Bill S.1864. Nurse Reinvestment Act. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:SN01864:@@@L&summ2=m&
5. Daw, J. Bioterrorism Preparedness Act Includes Funding for Mental Health.September 8, 2002. www.apa.org
6. Bill S.1765. Frist-Kennedy Bioterrorism Preparedness Act. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:HR03448:@@@X
"Ensure That Primary Prevention is Part of Your Needlestick SafetyProgram," by Marilyn Hanchett, RN, page 32
1. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, Guidelines for the Prevention ofIntravascular Catheter-Related Infections, August 8, 2002/51 (RR10) p.8.
"Lobbying for Labels: Congressional Committee Discusses Legislation onSUD Reprocessing," by Kathy Dix, page 34
1. H.R. 3580, Bill Summary and Status for the 107th Congress. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:h.r.03580:.10/29/02.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and DrugAdministration. Guidance for Industry and for FDA Staff: Enforcement Prioritiesfor Single-Use Devices Reprocessed by Third Parties and Hospitals. www.fda.gov/cdrh/reuse/1168.html.10/01/02.
1. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:hr03580:@@@L&summ2=msummary.10/01/02.
"Implementing a Reprocessing Program: Success Hinges on Planning,"by Deborah Haley, RN, CNOR, MBA, page 38
2. Werner, Curt. "Waiting for the Tsunami: The Life of the Third-PartyReprocessor." Healthcare Purchasing News, June 2002.
3. Letter, Department of Health and Human Services, July 12, 2002. Accessedat http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/g3406d.pdfon August 15, 2002.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
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.
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.
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.