Weekly Rounds: Dear Helpdesk, Answers to EVS Survey, and More
Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending March 31, 2024.
Weekly Rounds with Infection Control Today
Here are 5 highlights from Infection Control Today®'s (ICT®’s) wide-ranging coverage of the infection prevention and control world. Everything from interviews with known opinion leaders to the news that infection preventionists and other health care professionals can use on their jobs.
Alert for Infection Preventionists: CDC Reports Rise in Invasive Meningococcal Disease Cases, Urges Vigilance
The CDC has sounded the alarm on a sharp rise in invasive meningococcal disease cases, notably linked to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y. Health care providers are urged to stay vigilant.
Exploring Infection Preventionists' Top Environmental Hygiene Interests: From Surface Cleaning to UV-C Technology
IPs are keen to delve into the latest trends in environmental hygiene, with a focus on surface cleaning, air and water purification, product selection, and advanced UV-C technologies.
Unveiling Misconceptions: The Truth About Antibiotics and the Common Cold
Anne Menegetti, MD, highlights the misconceptions that drive individuals to seek antibiotics for common colds sooner than necessary.
FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization for Pemgarda, COVID-19 Infusion Drug
In the ongoing fight against COVID-19, the FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization for Pemgarda, a COVID-19 infusion drug. Read on for more.
Dear Helpdesk: Working in a Toxic Health Care Environment
Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.
Newsletter
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
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.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.
