Weekly Rounds: New COVID-19 Variants, Robotic Surgery Challenges, and more
Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending May 13.
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.
AB.4 and BA.5 Variants, Pandemic Fatigue, and Waning Immunity: A Toxic Mix
Few individuals in the United States are currently wearing masks, and many are continuing to engage in risky behavior. This may well be a toxic mix, and healthcare facilities and infection preventionists need to prepare for another possible surge in cases.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery Presents Unique Sterile Processing Challenges
Sterile processing of robotic surgery instruments and other complex instruments require complex methods.
Web-Based Hand Hygiene Application Improves HCW Compliance
Swiss hospital developed and implemented “Clean Hands,” and the results are significant over paper data collection.
An IP’s Newest Weapon: CBIC's LTC Certification
Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (CBIC) is debuting a new certification for infection preventionists (IPs) who work in long-term care (LTC) settings.
Team Effort Significantly Reduces Hospital-Onset C-difficile Infections
The interprofessional team implemented multiple evidenced-based interventions that demonstrated sustained compliance.
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.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
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.
