Weekly Rounds: Emojitoons, Improper Sterilization at Veterans Affairs Hospital, and More

Here are 5 highlights from 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.

1. Emojitoons: Selling Infection Prevention Compliance With Avatars

Compliance has increased up to 50% on key infection prevention and control practices at a South Carolina health system due to these short emoji-cartoons.

2. Improper Sterilization at Veterans Affairs Hospital Could Have Exposed Thousands to HIV, Hepatitis

A letter has been sent to more than 4500 veterans stating that reusable instruments used in medical procedures may not have been sterilized properly at a Georgia hospital.

3. COVID-19 Brain Changes: New Evidence Details Long-Term Effects of Infection A new study supports the conclusion that the “brain fog” reported by many who have recovered from mild COVID-19 infection is real and has an anatomical basis.

4. To the Next Normal After COVID-19: Leading Health Experts Offer “Roadmap”

A comprehensive blueprint on how to be better prepared for the future as COVID-19 becomes endemic and the world faces future pandemics.

5. COVID-19 Lessons for Infection Prevention: APIC's Recommendations to Be Better Prepared for Next Time

Key recommendations in the report include normalizing mask wearing and avoiding the supply chain failures.