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John Stehle, PhD, CIC, is director of service intelligence and customer success analytics at 

. Stehle has more than 20 years of experience in research and working with data/data analytics. Before joining CenTrak, he served as the director of infection prevention at an extensive academic multihospital system.

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) affect over 680,000 patients annually in the U.S. Unlike manual methods, automated hand hygiene monitoring can significantly improve compliance and reduce HAIs.

How Emerging Technologies Increase Hand Hygiene Adherence and Reduce Infections

's) Editorial Board members—a diverse group of professionals dedicated to advancing infection prevention and control practices. This series highlights each member's unique expertise and contributions to the field.

From groundbreaking research to innovative strategies, these experts are at the forefront of enhancing health care safety. Join us as we learn their insights, experiences, and visions for the future, providing valuable knowledge and inspiration to elevate infection control protocols.

In this installment, we hear from Tabrikah Mohammed, MSc, BSN, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC, senior infection control officer, MSc, BSN, TQM, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC. 

Tabrikah Mohammed, MSc, BSN, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC, is an accomplished nursing professional with a diverse educational background and vast experience in infection control. She obtained a bachelor of nursing degree from Sharjah University in 2011 and a master of health care administration from the Royal College of Surgeon Ireland in 2013.

Tabrikah has furthered her expertise by obtaining certification as a CIC in 2018 and a CPHQ in 2021. She is also the founder of the IPQ Academy, where she imparts her knowledge and experience to other health care professionals. As the cofounder, head of the scientific committee, and infection control expert at the 

Middle East North Africa Federation for Hospital Sterilization Sciences

 (MENA FHSS), she has significantly contributed to the healthcare sector.

Emirates Infection Prevention and Sterilization Society

 (EIPSS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing knowledge in infection prevention and sterilization practices in the United Arab Emirates. EIPSS operates under the 

Currently, Tabrikah serves as a senior infection control officer in 

, where she applies her skills and knowledge to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers. She is also a member of the 2023 editorial advisory board for 

, a testament to her reputation as an expert in infection control.

Tabrikah's contributions to infection control have been recognized through several awards, including the 

IP Idol from Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc

 by Saudi Society for Infection Prevention and Control in 2023. She is also an international speaker at various conferences and conducts workshops.

Tabrikah sees these topics as trending right now:

These programs aim to optimize the use of antibiotics to combat antibiotic resistance. They involve the proper selection, dosage, and duration of antibiotic treatment to minimize resistance and adverse effects.

: Real-time data and advanced analytics track infection trends and outbreaks within healthcare facilities, allowing quicker and more effective responses.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

: These technologies are applied to predict outbreaks and optimize infection control strategies.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Innovation

: PPE is continually being innovated, with improvements in comfort, durability, and protection levels. Reusable PPE is also being developed to address supply chain issues and sustainability concerns.

Infection Control in Nonhospital Settings

: Infection prevention in long-term care facilities has become a major focus, particularly due to residents' vulnerability to infections like COVID-19 and influenza.

: There’s increased attention to infection prevention in schools, workplaces, and other community settings.

: Online platforms for infection prevention training have expanded, making education more accessible and scalable.

: There’s a growing emphasis on interprofessional education and collaboration in infection prevention, recognizing that effective infection control requires teamwork across various healthcare disciplines.

: Educating patients and their families on infection prevention practices, such as hand hygiene and recognizing signs of infection, is becoming more prevalent.

: There is a trend towards involving patients in their care, including infection prevention measures, to improve outcomes.

: There is an increasing focus on sustainable practices in infection prevention, such as reducing single-use plastics and developing environmentally friendly disinfectants.

Infection Prevention in Nonhospital Settings:

There is a growing focus on infection prevention in long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and community settings. Tailored infection control measures are being developed for these environments.

Telehealth services have expanded significantly, reducing the need for in-person visits and thereby lowering the risk of infection transmission. Remote monitoring of patients helps in managing infections and chronic conditions more effectively.

could focus on a range of timely and impactful topics. Here are her suggestions:

1. Emerging Infectious Diseases and Global Threats

 Coverage of the latest research and developments regarding new viruses or bacteria, particularly those with pandemic potential.

 Updates on global efforts to prevent and control infectious diseases, including responses to outbreaks and lessons learned from recent events.

 New technologies, treatments, and policies to mitigate the rise of drug-resistant infections.

 Strategies for improving AMR monitoring in healthcare settings.

3. Infection Control in Special Populations

 Best practices for preventing infections in nursing homes and other long-term care settings.

 Specialized approaches to infection control in pediatric units.

4. Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs)

 Latest strategies, protocols, and technologies for preventing HAIs, with a focus on surgical site infections, catheter-associated infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

 Case studies and lessons learned from recent HAI outbreaks.

5. Environmental Hygiene and Disinfection

 New products, technologies, and practices in environmental cleaning and disinfection.

Role of air quality in infection control:

 Research on the impact of ventilation and air purification in preventing the spread of infections.

 Strategies for healthcare professionals to address vaccine hesitancy and counter misinformation.

 Updates on new vaccines and vaccine delivery methods.

7. Technology and Digital Health in Infection Control

AI and machine learning in infection prevention:

 How artificial intelligence predicts and prevents outbreaks in healthcare settings.

 The role of telehealth in infection control, especially in managing patients with infectious diseases remotely.

 How the pandemic has changed infection control practices permanently.

 Future-proofing infection control protocols.

9. Infection Control in Nonhospital Settings

Infection prevention in outpatient clinics:

 Best practices for clinics, dental offices, and other non-hospital healthcare settings.

 Strategies for preventing infections in schools and workplaces, especially with the increasing focus on respiratory illnesses.

Continuing education for healthcare workers:

 New programs, tools, and certifications in infection prevention.

 How to involve patients and their families in infection prevention efforts.

Meet the experts shaping infection prevention: Infection Control Today's Editorial Board members share insights, experiences, and cutting-edge strategies to enhance health care safety and quality. Meet Tabrikah Mohammed, MSc, BSN, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC.

Meet Infection Control Today's Editorial Board Member: Tabrikah Mohammed, MSc, BSN, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (

) and Infection Prevention and Control Canada 

 have introduced a new resource, the Ethical Infection Prevention and Control (EIPAC) Decision-Making Framework, to aid health care professionals in addressing ethical dilemmas in infection prevention and control (IPC). This comprehensive toolkit, available on both organizations' websites, guides IPC teams through a step-by-step process for making ethically sound decisions in challenging scenarios. It provides a structured approach to identifying relevant facts, values, and principles, exploring options, and making informed decisions.

Developed in collaboration with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and other health care partners, the EIPAC framework is based on an existing ethical framework by the Community Ethics Network and contributions from the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics and Trillium Health Partners. This new resource aims to enhance ethical IPC practices, fostering a safer health care environment.

) interviewed APIC 2024 Board of Directors member 

, MS, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, CIC, FAPIC. She has been an infection preventionist (IP) for more than 25 years and is also the coordinator of infection prevention at Genesis Health System in Davenport, Iowa.

: Can you elaborate on the ethical decision-making principles outlined in the EIPAC Decision-Making Framework and how they can be applied in real-world scenarios?

Lisa Caffery, MS, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, CIC, FAPIC

: There are 4 key principles described in the framework:

The 4 principles, in addition to the values of trust and fairness, are already central to the practice of IPC. The principles and values can be applied to all practice settings and utilized by all infection preventionists regardless of how long they have been in practice. Reviewing the scenarios in the toolkit, you will see how these values and principles were considered in each one and the process documented in the framework form. This is not a process to be rushed. You want to gather all the facts and information available to make the best decision for the patient, resident, staff, and family. It is important to keep in mind that the final decision could change if new information is discovered at a later time.

Throughout the pandemic, IPs dealt with multiple issues for which little to no guidance was available to make a decision. The EIPAC framework offers a standard approach to working through issues for which little to no guidance is available to determine the best option for all involved.

: How does the EIPAC framework address situations where there is uncertainty or conflicting values in infection prevention and control practices?

 It is designed to help through situations where there is little to no guidance on how to respond and provide the best option for the request. The IP must consider all current recommendations where available. If none are available or those that are available are not clear, using the framework will help the IP think through the scenario as presented.

: Could you provide an example of a challenging scenario in the guide and walk us through how the EIPAC framework was used to navigate it?

 Each scenario has its own unique set of challenges. The actions represent the best option for the scenario presented. The scenarios give users examples of how to work through questions. In each scenario, the framework was used to determine the best outcome/option based on the information shared. The IP should collaborate with the care team as they work through the framework. Using the framework, the IP will identify the information, determine the relevant ethical principles, explore and consider options, and act. The scenarios in the toolkit were developed to show applicability in multiple settings.

: What role do you see the EIPAC Decision-Making Framework playing in promoting patient safety and minimizing risks in health care settings?

Patient safety and minimizing harm are essential to the EIPAC framework. The framework will help the IP consider all options for ensuring the safety of patients, residents, staff, and visitors.

: How was the EIPAC framework developed, and what collaborations were involved in its creation?

 The EIPAC framework was developed by the team at Sunnybrook Health Services Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in collaboration with Toronto health care ethicists. It was published in 2023 in 

The Sunnybrook team presented their work at the 2023 IPAC Canada conference. APIC CEO Devin Jopp and then president-elect Tania Bubb, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC, attended the session and felt that the EIPAC framework would benefit all infection preventionists regardless of their practice setting. Leadership at APIC and IPAC Canada were both supportive of making the framework available to everyone through the creation of a tool kit. The team members consisted of the Sunnybrook team and leaders from APIC and IPAC Canada.

APIC and IPAC Canada introduce the EIPAC Decision-Making Framework to guide health care professionals through ethical dilemmas in infection prevention, promoting fair and transparent decision-making. 


Introducing the Ethical Infection Prevention and Control Decision-Making Framework

's) Editorial Board members—a diverse group of professionals dedicated to advancing infection prevention and control practices. This series highlights each member's unique expertise and contributions to the field. 

, MSN, CIC, CPHQ, an infection preventionist in Saudi Arabia and health care policy consultant. 


: Please tell me about your health care and infection prevention journey. How did you become an infection preventionist?

My journey in health care began with a passion for helping others and a keen interest in science. After earning my degree in nursing, I started working in a clinical setting, where I quickly became aware of the critical importance of infection control. Observing how infections could severely impact patient outcomes, I was motivated to specialize in this area.

To gain deeper knowledge, I pursued further education and training in infection prevention and control. This included obtaining certification from recognized organizations such as the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC). I also participated in various workshops and seminars to stay updated on the latest best practices and emerging threats in infection prevention. Additionally, I pursued a master’s degree in Nursing Administration, which provided me with a comprehensive understanding of health care systems, leadership skills, and strategic planning.

Further enhancing my expertise, I earned my Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification. This equipped me with advanced skills in quality management and process improvement, which are essential for effective infection prevention and control.

My first role as an infection preventionist involved working closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement infection control policies. I conducted regular audits, provided staff education, and analyzed infection data to identify trends and areas for improvement. Over time, I took on more responsibilities, such as leading infection prevention committees and participating in research projects to enhance our understanding of infection control measures.

Throughout my career, I've been driven by the goal of ensuring a safe environment for both patients and health care workers. The combination of my master's degree and CPHQ certification has enabled me to integrate quality improvement methodologies into our infection prevention strategies effectively. The challenges presented by outbreaks and the ongoing need for vigilance have only strengthened my commitment to this field. Today, I continue to advocate for evidence-based practices and collaborate with colleagues to advance infection prevention strategies in our health care system.

: What trends do you see in infection prevention?

Infection prevention is a dynamic field that continually evolves in response to emerging threats and advancements in health care. Several key trends are shaping the landscape of infection prevention today:

: Technology is playing a significant role in infection prevention. Electronic health records (EHRs), predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) are being leveraged to identify infection trends, predict outbreaks, and monitor compliance with infection control protocols in real-time.

: Hand hygiene remains a cornerstone of infection prevention. There is a growing emphasis on improving adherence through innovative methods such as electronic monitoring systems, which provide real-time feedback to health care workers, and the integration of hand hygiene education into routine training programs.

: The rise of antimicrobial resistance has increased the focus on antimicrobial stewardship programs. These programs aim to optimize the use of antibiotics, reduce the spread of resistant bacteria, and preserve the effectiveness of current treatments.

: New disinfection technologies, such as UV-C light and electrostatic sprayers, are being adopted to enhance the efficacy of environmental cleaning. There is also an increased focus on high-touch surfaces and their role in transmitting pathogens.

: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of robust outbreak preparedness and response strategies. Healthcare facilities are investing in better infrastructure, training, and protocols to respond to infectious disease outbreaks quickly.

: Vaccination remains a critical component of infection prevention. Efforts are being intensified to improve vaccine coverage, combat vaccine hesitancy, and develop new vaccines for emerging infectious diseases.

: Continuous education for patients and health care staff is crucial. There is a growing emphasis on providing comprehensive infection prevention education, including online modules, workshops, and simulation-based training.

: What topics would you like to see in Infection Control Today for the rest of the year?

 can cover a wide range of topics to address the evolving challenges and advancements in the field of infection prevention and control. Here are some suggested topics for the rest of the year:

: Updates on recent outbreaks and emerging pathogens, their impact, and strategies for control and prevention.

: Strategies to combat antibiotic resistance, including stewardship programs, new antimicrobial agents, and innovative therapies.

Infection prevention in health care settings

: Best practices for infection control in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient settings. Focus on topics like hand hygiene, sterilization techniques, and environmental cleaning.

: Strategies to reduce HAIs, including catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections.

Innovative technologies in infection control

: Advances in UV disinfection, antimicrobial coatings, and telemedicine for infection prevention.

: Challenges and strategies for infection control in low-resource settings, global health initiatives, and the impact of climate change on infectious diseases.

Education and training for health care workers

: Effective methods for training health care workers in infection control practices and the importance of continuous education.

: Ensuring patient safety through rigorous infection control practices, addressing patient concerns, and improving communication.

: Keeping up with changes in regulations, guidelines, and standards from organizations like the CDC, World Health Organization, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Infection control in nonhealth care settings

: Practices for preventing infections in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.

: Understanding the role of human behavior in infection control compliance and strategies to improve adherence to protocols.

: Information on current and upcoming vaccines, strategies, and addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Research and development in infection control

: Highlighting recent research findings, clinical trials, and innovations in the field.

: Advances in PPE technology, proper usage, and addressing shortages or supply chain issues.


Meet the experts shaping infection prevention: Infection Control Today's Editorial Board members share insights, experiences, and cutting-edge strategies to enhance health care safety and quality. Meet Hebah al Zamel, MSN, CIC, CPHQ.

Meet Infection Control Today's Editorial Board Member: Hebah al Zamel, MSN, CIC, CPHQ

Cryptococcus is a fungus that will not normally affect individuals who have healthy immune systems. However, individuals who are immunocompromised from advanced HIV or immunity-suppressing medicines or conditions are at serious risk of meningitis illness and death. In 2020, approximately 112,000 individuals died from cryptococcus. Of all AIDS deaths worldwide, 19% were from 

International Conference on Cryptococcus Cryptococcosis (ICCC)

. He discusses what cryptococcus is, what Uganda is like, and what further information 

’s audience can receive from the conference.

Pullen is a clinical researcher at the University of Minnesota Medical School and an assistant professor of infectious disease and international medicine. He practices at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center.

You recently went to Uganda for an infectious disease conference. Would you mind giving 

s audience an overview of that conference?

Experts from around the world shared new data about cryptococcus at the recent International Conference on Cryptococcus & Cryptococcosis (ICCC) in Uganda. 


John Stehle, PhD, CIC

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