From advanced sterilization methods to combating antimicrobial resistance, Infection Control Today’s top articles of 2024 delivered actionable strategies for safer healthcare environments and improved patient outcomes.
Infection Control Today® (ICT®) provides the latest news and studies on infection prevention and control. In 2024, ICT continued as a trusted resource, publishing hundreds of articles tailored for infection preventionists, sterile processing technologists, epidemiologists, and environmental hygienists.
These articles addressed critical topics like emerging pathogens, sterilization protocols, environmental hygiene best practices, and innovative tools to ensure patient and caregiver safety. By providing actionable insights and evidence-based strategies, ICT empowers health care professionals to enhance infection prevention measures in their facilities. With its extensive content, ICT remains an essential ally for those at the forefront of health care, ensuring safer environments and improved patient and staff outcomes.
Let’s revisit ICT’s top articles of 2024!
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Ineffective Against Norovirus: Effective Alternatives and Infection Control Strategies
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not protect against norovirus, a highly contagious virus. Effective alternatives like hypochlorous acid-based sanitizers are crucial for better infection control.
Understanding AAMI ST108:2023: Essential Guide to New Water Quality Standards in Health Care
Water, essential in health care, from hygiene to medical procedures. AAMI's ST108 sets new standards, vital for patient safety and equipment integrity.
Dengue Epidemic in Puerto Rico? What Should Visitors and Residents Know
Puerto Rico declared a dengue public health emergency with 549 cases this year, up from 1293 in 2023. What should visitors and residents know to protect themselves?
Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Personality and Brain Function: A Grim Reality or a Wake-Up Call?
Opinion: Kevin Kavanagh, MD, examines a summary of studies on how COVID-19 may damage the brain's frontal lobes, alter personality traits and cognitive functions, and potentially reshape society's dynamics.
Understanding and Mitigating H5N1, Avian Flu Risks in Cattle and Beyond: Insights from Ramon Zegpi Lagos, DVM, PhD Ramon Zegpi Lagos, DVM, PhD, discusses H5N1 (avian flu), risks, transmission dynamics, preventive measures, and ongoing research at The Ohio State University.
Addressing Sterile Processing Instrument Errors With Advanced Technology and Data Insights
Surgical instrument errors, often linked to visualization failures during sterile processing, pose significant risks to patient safety and OR efficiency. Advanced technologies, including AI, are essential for reducing these errors and improving overall outcomes in sterile processing departments.
IP LifeLine: Keeping it Together When Things Fall Apart: Maintaining Balance When Life Gets Messy
Balancing personal struggles and professional responsibilities during crises requires self-awareness, self-compassion, healthy boundaries, and support networks. Embrace these strategies to navigate and overcome challenges.
IDEA in Action: A Strategic Approach to Contamination Control
January 14th 2025Adopting IDEA—identify, define, explain, apply—streamlines contamination control. Infection control professionals can mitigate risks through prevention, intervention, and training, ensuring safer health care environments and reducing frequent contamination challenges.
Balancing Freedom and Safety: When Public Health Mandates Are Necessary
January 9th 2025Public health mandates, such as lockdowns, masking, and vaccination, balance liberty and safety, ensuring critical protections during pandemics like COVID-19 while fostering long-term survival through science.
Long-Term Chronicles: Infection Surveillance Guidance in Long-Term Care Facilities
January 8th 2025Antibiotic stewardship in long-term care facilities relies on McGeer and Loeb criteria to guide infection surveillance and appropriate prescribing, ensuring better outcomes for residents and reducing resistance.
Considering Avian Flu: World Health Organization Expert Warns Against Raw Milk
January 6th 2025Drinking raw milk poses risks of disease transmission, especially with H5N1 outbreaks. Expert Richard J. Webby, PhD, advises against raw cow or goat milk consumption due to its unpredictable and significant risks.