June 2nd 2025
As infection threats evolve and the IP workforce faces burnout and attrition, a new study reveals a critical weak spot: inconsistent access to infection prevention certification—and the training needed to succeed.
The Clean Bite: Think Twice Before Closing Your Lips Around That Little Suction Thing
May 27th 2025It’s a familiar request at the dentist—“close your lips around the suction.” But that small act could expose you to backflow contamination from previous patients. This first article in a brand new column by Sherrie Busby, EDDA, CDSO, CDIPC, explores the unseen risks of dental suction devices—and why patients should pause before obeying.
Beyond the Surface: Tackling the Sterilization Challenges of Flexible Endoscopes
May 26th 2025Flexible endoscopes revolutionized modern medicine—but their complex design poses persistent sterilization challenges. With mounting infection risks and emerging innovations, experts are rethinking how to clean and safeguard one of health care’s most indispensable tools.
Rising to Lead: Arlene Bush Steps Into HSPA Presidency With Vision and Heart
May 23rd 2025In this interview, completed shortly before the HSPA 2025 conference, as she prepared to take the helm as HSPA’s next president, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST, discusses humility, determination, and a bold vision to elevate sterile processing professionals and broaden the association’s impact.
Outbreak Detection, Patient Protection: The Legal Upside of Genomics in Infection Prevention
May 21st 2025A string of infections following routine knee surgeries in Tennessee has escalated into litigation, raising questions about how—and when—health care facilities should detect outbreaks. As genomic surveillance gains traction in infection prevention, some fear it could increase legal risk. In reality, it may offer hospitals their strongest legal defense.
Bridging the Education Gap: Improving Complex Instrument Reprocessing in Sterile Processing
May 20th 2025At the 2025 Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Annual Conference & Expo, Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL, CIS, CER, CFER, CRCST, spotlighted real-world gaps in sterile processing education, stressing the urgent need for better tools, training, and collaboration when handling intricate medical devices like shaver handpieces.
Precision Matters: Why Proper Detergent Use Is Critical for Cleaning Complex Medical Devices
May 19th 2025At the 2025 HSPA conference, experts emphasized the vital role of detergents and enzymatic cleaners in reprocessing medical devices—highlighting how temperature, concentration, and technique directly impact cleaning performance in today’s increasingly complex surgical instrumentation.
The Case for Standardizing Cleaning and Disinfection: Why Consistency Is Critical to Patient Safety
May 19th 2025Inconsistent cleaning practices continue to jeopardize patient safety. Experts urge health care leaders to treat cleaning as clinical care—essential, standardized, and foundational to infection prevention.
Endoscopes and Lumened Instruments: New Studies Highlight Persistent Contamination Risks
May 7th 2025Two new studies reveal troubling contamination in both new endoscopes and cleaned lumened surgical instruments, challenging the reliability of current reprocessing practices and manufacturer guidelines.
When More Isn’t Better: Examining the Complex Role of ID Consults in Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Use
May 6th 2025A new study presented at the 2025 SHEA Spring Conference reveals that while infectious disease consults do influence hospitalists’ use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the relationship is anything but straightforward—challenging assumptions in antimicrobial stewardship and offering new insights into prescribing behavior.