The Time is Now to Digitize Those Thermometers
CHICAGO-Officials from the American Academy of Pediatrics are asking doctors and parents to join the wave of technology that has brought thermometers from dangerous to digitized.
Mercury thermometers should no longer be used, they say, because the mercury poses a threat to children and the environment. Instead, digital thermometers should be used.
Mercury, when found in streams, can poison fish. If fish contaminated by mercury are eaten by pregnant women, the chemical can cause fetal damage. Women who are expecting are now warned about eating fish when pregnant because of the risk.
The chemical also causes neurological damage in children.
While many hospitals and store chains have banned mercury thermometers, the academy worries that many are still found in medicine cabinets. Parents are being asked to take these thermometers to a hazardous-waste collection center and invest in a digital device.
Source: www.nytimes.com
I Was There: An Infection Preventionist on the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 30th 2025Deep feelings run strong about the COVID-19 pandemic, and some beautiful art has come out of those emotions. Infection Control Today is proud to share this poem by Carmen Duke, MPH, CIC, in response to a recent article by Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC.
From the Derby to the Decontam Room: Leadership Lessons for Sterile Processing
April 27th 2025Elizabeth (Betty) Casey, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CHL, is the SVP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Surgical Solutions in Overland, Kansas. This SPD leader reframes preparation, unpredictability, and teamwork by comparing surgical services to the Kentucky Derby to reenergize sterile processing professionals and inspire systemic change.
Show, Tell, Teach: Elevating EVS Training Through Cognitive Science and Performance Coaching
April 25th 2025Training EVS workers for hygiene excellence demands more than manuals—it requires active engagement, motor skills coaching, and teach-back techniques to reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.
The Rise of Disposable Products in Health Care Cleaning and Linens
April 25th 2025Health care-associated infections are driving a shift toward disposable microfiber cloths, mop pads, and curtains—offering infection prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in one-time-use solutions.
