Weekly Rounds: New COVID-19 Variants, Robotic Surgery Challenges, 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.

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.