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Discover how reducing hand hygiene observations from 200 to 50 per unit monthly can optimize infection preventionists' time, enhance safety culture, and improve patient outcomes.

Revolutionizing Infection Prevention: How Fewer Hand Hygiene Observations Can Boost Patient Safety

According to new research, genomic surveillance is transforming health care-associated infection detection by identifying outbreaks earlier, enabling faster interventions, improving patient outcomes, and reducing costs.

Genomic Surveillance A New Frontier in Health  Care Outbreak Detection

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending July 20, 2024.


Weekly Rounds: Antimicrobial Resistant Gonorrhea, CDC Speaks to ICT, and More

A study at the 2024 APIC conference observed MRSA and Pseudomonas contamination in a new children's outpatient pulmonary clinic during construction and after patient use, highlighting significant infection risks.

Tracking Pathogen Contamination in a New Children’s Outpatient Pulmonary Clinic

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending February 11, 2024.

Weekly Rounds: Care Coordination Is Too Complex, Operating Room Traffic, Diabetes, and More

Discover how innovative strategies in scheduling, staff engagement, and continuous learning transformed a hospital’s environmental services, enhancing efficiency, employee satisfaction, and patient care standards.

Efficiency, Engagement, and Excellence: Revolutionizing Staffing inEnvironmental Services 

Transforming a health care institution’s environmental services requires balancing efficiency with high-quality standards while fostering employee engagement. 

 in Angola, Indiana, met this challenge with innovative leadership and collaborative strategies that prioritize fiscal responsibility and staff well-being.

Faced with a well-staffed yet underutilized team, environmental services leadership implemented a revolutionary scheduling model. By transitioning from 3 shifts to 2 and scaling weekend staffing, they reduced operational inefficiencies without compromising patient care. Staff input played a pivotal role, with a vote leading to adopting a “work every fourth-weekend” model, providing a better work-life balance. The strategy eliminated unnecessary overtime and reduced staffing costs by not refilling vacant positions, saving the hospital approximately $160,000 annually.

Darren Goff, executive director of hospitality services, spoke to 

and explained how Cameron Memorial Community Hospital successfully improved staffing by including the environmental hygiene staff. “I think if you stay the focus on employee engagement and keeping them involved with those decisions, I don't think it'll be any problem for anybody,” Goff said. “Again, it's nothing super I'm doing here. It's just about what we've done to improve the quality of people's lives, not just to people walking the door, but our own department, our own folks here, and make them feel like they're part of the process and decision-making.”

Crucially, no jobs were eliminated, and staff engagement remained a top priority. Open communication, regular feedback, and accessibility were foundational principles. The director met individually with employees, fostering trust and ensuring every team member felt heard and valued. Monthly split shifts allowed leadership to connect with second and third-shift staff, strengthening morale and cohesion.

Professional growth opportunities further empowered staff. A revised pay scale and training initiatives enabled employees to gain certifications, enhancing their skills and earning potential. The emphasis on continuous learning extended to leadership, setting an example of personal and professional development.

The results speak for themselves: Improved efficiency, zero overtime, high employee satisfaction, and impeccable cleanliness standards, as confirmed by external audits. By fostering collaboration, embracing change, and investing in people, the environmental services team at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital demonstrated that innovation and compassion can transform health care operations.

Video Series

Efficiency, Engagement, and Excellence: Revolutionizing Staffing in Environmental Services 

Cameron Memorial Community Hospital: An Example of How to Save Time and Money in Environmental Hygiene

Cameron Memorial Community Hospital’s proactive approach to waste management has set a new benchmark in operational efficiency, safety, and compliance. With rising transportation costs and regulatory demands, the hospital implemented innovative changes, transforming its protocols and achieving remarkable results.

The journey began with a critical evaluation of existing practices. “We realized we were categorized as a large pharmaceutical and hazardous waste generator, which seemed disproportionate for our 25-bed facility,” explained Darren Goff, Executive Director of Hospitality Services. 

The team identified inefficiencies, such as miscategorized waste, and addressed them with clear signage, reducing confusion among staff. These simple measures saved the hospital approximately $30,000 annually and reclassified them as a small generator.

The focus was on simplicity and clarity in high-risk areas like operating rooms and emergency departments. Reducing the number of waste receptacles and providing visual examples for proper segregation streamlined processes, allowing clinicians to concentrate on patient care. 

Training and communication played a vital role. Safety huddles across all shifts, annual competencies, and quarterly pulse surveys ensured staff stayed informed and engaged. This inclusive approach fostered collaboration and allowed staff to contribute feedback, driving continuous improvement.

Partnerships also proved invaluable. Working closely with infection prevention and quality departments, the environmental services team implemented quality checks and used UV disinfection dashboards to monitor progress. “It’s all about trust but verify,” the manager said, highlighting their focus on maintaining high standards.

The results speak for themselves: increased efficiency, significant cost savings, and a more informed, motivated workforce. Cameron Memorial Community Hospital’s waste management transformation demonstrates how clear communication, teamwork, and innovative practices can lead to lasting improvements in healthcare settings.

Learn how Cameron Memorial Community Hospital revamped waste management protocols through collaboration, signage, and team training, achieving efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced compliance in high-risk areas like ORs and EDs.

Streamlining Waste Management: How Others Can Learn From Cameron Memorial Community Hospital

Pharmaceutical waste challenges

 in Angola, Indiana, faced significant challenges managing pharmaceutical waste, from excessive disposal quantities to unclear waste segregation practices. With a budget-conscious approach and commitment to sustainability, the hospital implemented effective strategies to simplify and improve its waste management processes.

One of the primary issues was the hospital's classification as a large pharmaceutical waste generator, with over 1,200 pounds of waste annually. This designation came with higher fees and highlighted inefficiencies. A breakthrough occurred in 2021-2022, when the hospital partnered with the pharmacy and laboratory departments to identify key areas for improvement. One early success was reducing biohazard container use from 15 to 6, with further consolidation saving costs and streamlining workflows.

Signage played a critical role in the transformation. Clear, strategically placed labels helped staff identify appropriate waste streams, reducing errors. “It’s amazing what ends up in pharmaceutical waste bins—regular trash, specimen cups, even lunch leftovers,” said Darren Goff, executive director of hospitality services. By educating staff and emphasizing proper segregation, pharmaceutical waste was nearly halved to 656 pounds in 2022, keeping the hospital under the small generator threshold.

Training and accountability were equally vital. Staff participated in competency evaluations tied to annual and biannual assessments, reinforcing proper waste disposal practices. These evaluations not only ensured compliance but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement. “We want our frontline workers to feel informed and involved in decisions,” Goff noted.

Looking ahead, the hospital aims to explore alternative disposal companies and methods to further enhance sustainability. With plans extending to 2025, Cameron Royal is dedicated to finding innovative solutions to reduce costs and environmental impact.

This initiative not only improved pharmaceutical waste management but also inspired broader changes in departmental budgeting and accountability. “It’s about simplifying processes, saving money, and empowering our team to make informed decisions,” Goff concluded.

Cameron Memorial Community Hospital streamlined pharmaceutical waste management through signage, training, and collaboration, cutting waste nearly in half and saving costs while boosting staff competencies and accountability.

Reducing Pharmaceutical Waste: Challenges and Innovations at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital

Simplifying Cleaning Practices: A Team-Driven Approach to Efficiency and Safety

 in Angola, Indiana, undertook a significant change—consolidating cleaning products from 20 to just 7 primary options. The shift aimed to simplify procedures, reduce confusion, and empower staff while maintaining the hospital's high infection control standards.

The decision to streamline was driven by practicality and collaboration. “With 20 different cleaning chemicals, it was confusing for staff…and surveyors [alike],” explained Darren Goff, executive director of hospitality services, in this second in a series of interviews. “By narrowing the options, staff now use 4 core chemicals for cleaning and disinfection. This change alone led to immediate cost savings of $3,000 annually. “It’s not about making wholesale changes, but about working smarter,” Goff added.

A key factor in the successful implementation was team involvement. Staff were invited to test products and provide feedback before decisions were finalized in partnership with infection control. This inclusive approach not only improved buy-in but also reinforced the team’s expertise in environmental hygiene. Additionally, a hospital-wide product catalog was introduced, complete with illustrations, ensuring everyone was informed about the cleaning protocols.

Despite initial resistance—largely rooted in the natural discomfort of change—feedback improved over time. Quarterly pulse surveys highlighted both positive and constructive insights, enabling continuous refinements. Challenges included addressing staff concerns about product familiarity and ensuring that processes aligned with hospital safety standards.

The program also emphasized professional growth. A “Tech 1, Tech 2” initiative allowed staff to gain certifications, boosting morale and offering modest pay increases. Over 80% of the team participated, fostering pride and skill development.

The efforts of Cameron Memorial’s environmental services team have been recognized across the hospital, earning them the highest employee engagement scores. Goff concluded, “This isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about empowering people to make a difference in patients’ lives while keeping processes efficient and safe.”

Cameron Memorial Community Hospital streamlined cleaning practices by consolidating products, saving costs, empowering staff, and ensuring infection control. Collaborative efforts fostered efficiency, safety, and improved staff engagement. 

Insights on Double-Gloving with Dr. Hudson Garrett

’s) conversation with Hudson Garrett, PhD, MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, CPHRM, CIC, CHIPP-B, LTC-CIP, CPPS, CPHQ, CVAHP, FACHDM, FAPIC, FAAPM, FNAP, FACHE, FSHEA, FIDSA, an adjunct assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and a professor of emergency medical services and critical care at Phoenix Institute and College, the importance of double-gloving in infection control was emphasized. Garrett highlighted how this simple yet effective practice significantly enhances protection for healthcare workers, especially in high-risk environments such as emergency and critical care settings.

Double-gloving involves wearing 2 layers of gloves, which provides an additional barrier against potential exposure to infectious agents. Garrett pointed out that while single-glove use is standard, the added layer from double-gloving can reduce the risk of glove perforation and contamination during procedures. This is particularly crucial during invasive procedures where the likelihood of exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials is higher.

"Everything that we can do to reduce that risk of our own floor as health care providers being introduced into that surgical field is going to be huge, and that starts with surgical hand hygiene,” Garrett said. “It includes our personal protective equipment (PPE) protection and things like gloves. But it also, again, goes an extra layer of protection to make sure that my health care workers are safe too.”

Garrett stressed that double-gloving not only protects health care workers but also contributes to patient safety by minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. He advocated for the routine adoption of double-gloving in health care settings where the risk of infection is significant. The practice is especially important in the context of emerging infectious diseases and pandemics, where the safety of health care providers is paramount to maintaining a functional and responsive health care system.

“Keep in mind that the use of gloves, gowns, and other PPE is at the very bottom of our pyramid in terms of infection control interventions, but it is an important part of our sort of tool belt,” Garrett said. “My job is to always make sure, whether I'm working with a perioperative nurse or clinician, a surgeon or another [infection preventionist], that our tool belt is as wide and deep as possible.”

The conversation concluded with a call for more education and training on the benefits of double-gloving, ensuring that health care professionals are fully aware of its importance in infection control and patient safety.

In an ICT® interview, Dr. Hudson Garrett emphasized double-gloving in infection control as crucial for protecting health care workers and patients, especially in high-risk environments.

A Game Changer in Hospital Infection Control

Infection Control Today interview with Dr. Deborah Birx, MD

Numerous contamination sources create significant infection risks in hospital environments. Suboptimal remediation strategies and inconsistent cleaning practices further exacerbate this issue. Additionally, the CDC highlights antimicrobial resistance as a major public health threat, necessitating new treatments to combat multidrug-resistant organisms.

 addressed these challenges using advanced photohydrolysis technology for continuous disinfection.

 had the privilege of speaking with Deborah Birx, MD, the chief medical and science advisor of ActivePure and the study’s lead author. As a retired Army Colonel and Global Ambassador to 3 US presidents, Birx has over 40 years of experience fighting global pandemics. Her research and work have been credited with saving over 22 million lives in Africa through the PEPFAR program, and she has authored over 200 academic publications. Through her decades of global field experience, disciplined approach to data collection and analysis, and fierce patient advocacy, her work continues to illuminate pragmatic solutions to some of our most significant global health challenges.

Birx explained that ActivePure’s advanced photohydrolysis technology differs significantly from traditional disinfection methods. Unlike passive UV technology and slow filtration, this technology provides continuous and active disinfection. It utilizes a UV-C bulb surrounded by a proprietary honeycomb matrix of metallic semiconductors and rare earth minerals. This setup creates highly negatively charged hydroxyl and superoxide ions that continuously flow into the air, deactivating pathogens by damaging their cell walls.

“It is those active ions that ruin the cell walls of bacteria, spores, and fungi and inactivate them.... The continuous nature of this technology is crucial,” Birx emphasized. “It removes the human factor, ensuring that even the most hard-to-reach areas are consistently decontaminated. This level of continuous protection is something human efforts alone cannot achieve.”

When you have humans, “the contamination is continuous. You need technology to combat that, which is also continuous, so, particularly in hospitals, it’s a 24/7 situation. So, you want a technology that works outside of any human intervention. And that’s why this is incredibly exciting to me.”

Addressing safety concerns, Birx highlighted the extensive research and FDA Class II rating for this equipment. The technology does not produce ozone, making it safe for use in various environments, including neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. Long-term studies on mice showed no adverse effects, including “alter[ing] their food consumption or body weight gain. There were no evident behavioral changes in any mice for continuous exposure. There were no changes in the blood chemistry or the hematology…and no alteration in the hepatocellular function. There were no markers of cellular organ damage” supporting the technology’s safety for continuous human exposure, according to Birx.

“This commitment to safety is vital,” Birx said. “ActivePure invested significant resources to ensure the technology’s effectiveness in real-life scenarios. It’s not just about having a solution; it’s about having a safe, effective solution that people can trust.”

She continued, “We have the hospital studies, we have a long-term care facility study with respiratory diseases, and we have these tissue-based studies to show the technology is safe. And so [ActivePure] can answer anybody’s questions now in a very clear way about the safety and efficacy of the product in real-life scenarios.”

The study results were remarkable. They showed a significant reduction in surface, floor, and air bioburdens and a 70% decline in health care-associated infections (HAIs). Birx stressed the importance of these findings, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where the sickest patients are most susceptible to infections.

“This technology not only reduces the bioburden but also leads to better patient outcomes,” Birx explained. “The reduction in HAIs can save hospitals significant costs associated with prolonged ICU stays and aggressive antibiotic treatments, which have their side effects and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.”

Birx also highlighted the technology’s affordability. It requires minimal maintenance, making it a cost-effective solution for hospitals. “The technology pays for itself multiple times over by reducing infection rates and associated healthcare costs. It’s an investment in both patient safety and financial efficiency.”

This technology’s applicability extends beyond hospitals. It can be used in various settings, including schools, long-term care facilities, and public spaces, to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. ActivePure continues to invest in research to explore its effectiveness in different environments and applications.

“We are committed to ongoing research to validate and expand the use of this technology,” Birx said. “Our goal is to provide a proven, low-cost solution that protects both patients and staff across various settings.”

The advanced photohydrolysis technology significantly advances infection control, offering continuous, effective, and safe decontamination. Birx’s and ActivePure’s dedication to leveraging innovative solutions for global health challenges underscores the potential of this technology to transform infection control practices in health care and beyond.

“This is a critical moment for all of our health care delivery systems,” BIrx added, expressing her passion for this groundbreaking work. “ActivePure has filled a gap in our environmental control. We now have technology that works continuously to prevent the spread of infectious agents, protecting everyone in the process… we’re supplying you with the science and data to show you that this is highly effective, safe, and cost-effective. What more could you ask for?”

1. Antimicrobial resistance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/ index.html. Trosch K, Lawrence P, Carenza A, et al. The effects of a novel, continuous disinfectant technology on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, fungi, and aerobic bacteria in 2 separate intensive care units in 2 different states: An experimental design with observed impact on health care-associated infections. 

. Published online April 2024:S019665532400155X.

2. Wellness begins with the air you breathe. ActivePure. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.activepure.com/ 

3. Antimicrobial resistance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/index.html


Advanced photohydrolysis technology offers continuous disinfection, combating hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. Safe and cost-effective, it significantly reduces health care-associated infections.

Conference

2024 CBIC President, Andrea Flinchum,explains (AL-CIP).

CBIC President Explains the New AL-CIP Certification at APIC24

Ahead of the 2024 APIC Annual Conference & Exposition (APIC24) held from June 3 to 5 in San Antonio, Texas, 2024 CBIC president Andrea Flinchum, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP, discusses her upcoming year as president of CBIC and her presentation on the new AL-CIP certification. She discusses her goals for her presidency and what she is most looking forward to at APIC24.

CBIC will introduce the “Advanced Leadership Certification in Infection Prevention” in 2025, based on the APIC Competency Model. Focusing on future-oriented skills like research and leadership, the certification will be assessed by portfolio. An overview session will be led by CBIC board members, with a Q&A segment.

“The biggest goal that I have is, along with the rest of the board is to get our advanced certification up and running,” Flinchum told 

. “But I want all individuals who work in infection prevention and control to understand that certification can be for them, that it's not just for someone who is maybe a nurse, as you know, has been in the past, we have a lot more people working in infection prevention and control. And we have folks from public health [who] work in infection control, which is very kin to my soul because I am now working in public health. But I want us to make sure that the CIC exam and all our certifications remain relevant and important.”

Flinchum also explains the difference between FAPIC and the new AL-CIP certification. “The fellowship is primarily honorific and contingent on maintaining membership. However, the difference with the advanced leadership certification is that the award is [from], of course, CBIC. It is a formal attestation following a professional, rigorous assessment process using internationally recognized credentialing industry standards that an individual has demonstrated advanced leadership and regional, national, or global impact. And then, recertification will be required to maintain the advanced leadership CIP designation. All the details have not been ironed out on how that exactly will work for the recertification. But just as our other certification examinations require recertification. This one will not be in the form of an exam.”

Andrea Flinchum, 2024 president of Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, INC (CBIC) explains the AL-CIP Certification at APIC Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. 

IP and AMR stewardship to the c-suite

Sometimes, communicating the needs of infection prevention programs to top-level executives is not straightforward. How can we ensure that these programs receive adequate resources and support from high-level decision-makers

Susan Casey Bleasdale, MD, an infectious disease specialist now a chief quality officer, understands the strategies for advocating infection prevention programs to the C-suite and securing effective resource allocation and support.

In the field of infectious disease, you are not limited to 1 organ system. You're looking at the whole patient.

Bleasdale, MD, is the chief quality officer, assistant vice chancellor of quality and patient safety, and medical director of infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System (UIH). She will present “Creating a Business Plan for Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship” at the Society of Epidemiology of America in Houston, Texas, held from April 16 to 19, 2024.

“The lead into the topic is ‘show me the money.’ It's also about how teams in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship can market their programs before the appropriate support and resources are available. And I'm going to market it to the C suite. And I think that this talk, in particular, I'm giving as someone who's been in both rounds. I have been in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, but I sit now in the C suite myself…I understand what the things that you need to look at when you're looking at dedicating resources and support to a program for your health system or your hospital are to be able to improve quality in some way. And so, the talk is about how you build the resources. And how do you how do you give your pitch to the C suite?”

 then asked Bleasdale how she went from being a doctor to sitting in the C-suite. “I would say because I'm starting in infectious disease, I have an impact on trying to improve the quality of care of my patients. I've been doing infection prevention since I was in training and stewardship…. I've been involved in the work of improving outcomes and the quality of care. [My path] just made sense to expand to be a chief quality officer; there are several infectious disease physicians who are chief quality officers as well because, again, we have an impact. I think the other thing is that in the field of infectious disease, you are not limited to 1 organ system. You're looking at the whole patient.”

Discover strategies for advocating infection prevention programs to the C-suite, ensuring resources, leadership support, and impactful outcomes.

Show Me the Money: Marketing Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship to the C-suite

 Matthew Pullen, MD, explains rare infectious diseases, including Nipah, Scarlet Fever, Blastomycosis, and Dengue, 

 Rare Infectious Diseases: Insights from Dr. Matthew Pullen, MD on Nipah, Scarlet Fever, Blastomycosis, and Dengue

Matthew Pullen, MD, an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine at The University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is no stranger to rare infectious diseases. As a member of 

’s) Editorial Advisory Board, he offers valuable insights into the nuances of diseases like Nipah, Scarlet Fever, Blastomycosis, and Dengue.

Scarlet Fever, a disease Pullen knows well, had a profound impact on him during his childhood in Alaska. Recounting his experience, he shares, “I remember laying on my couch in the apartment we had in that village and standing up and just feeling really lightheaded and sitting back down on the couch and telling my mom I didn't feel well. And she came over, and she said I was just read from head to toe. And it happened in maybe an hour."

Pullen explained that his parents rushed him to the clinic, “And they cooled me down with ice packs because I was very feverish and getting penicillin instead of my fever hadn't broken. [Had it hadn’t not broken,] I would have [had] to be flown to Fairbanks probably. Because there's no driving in Barrow [now called Utqiagvik].”

He then describes later in medical school, while studying scarlet fever, "I was working on a research project on group A strep with lab. And we needed just controlled blood to test for antibodies to different specific strains of strep. And all of us are just picking ourselves and using the blood. And we're like volunteers, which was nice; we got to contribute to our own research. And there was one that was M type; they're a type  based on the M protein that they have. There's one that my body just reacted violently [to], just off the charts, antibody production, like I imagined. My body probably remembers that one.”

With a wealth of experience and expertise in infectious diseases, Pullen also emphasizes the importance of safety when traveling to areas with mosquito-borne illnesses. “If you're going to a country with mosquito-borne disease, like repellent, mosquito nets, all that good stuff, and take your malaria prophylaxis,” he advises.

, by describing his personal encounters and professional endeavors, Pullen sheds light on the realities and precautions associated with rare infectious diseases, offering valuable guidance for both health care professionals and the public alike.

Matthew Pullen, MD, explains rare infectious diseases, including Nipah, Scarlet Fever, Blastomycosis, and Dengue, that should be on the radar of every healthcare worker despite their rarity in the US.


 Rare Infectious Diseases: Insights From Matthew Pullen, MD on Nipah, Scarlet Fever, Blastomycosis, and Dengue

4 infection preventionists talk about burnout

Round Table on Burnout

In the fight against infectious diseases, infection preventionists (IPs) work on the front lines, showing steadfast dedication to public health. However, the demands of this crucial role pose significant challenges, leading to a troubling issue—burnout among these health care professionals.

) spoke with 4 IPs on how to prevent burnout. In this first installment, the IPs discussed the prevalent issue of burnout among IPs and other professionals, examining the contributing factors and emphasizing the urgent need for effective strategies to alleviate its impact.

The IPs in the Round Table discussion include the following:

Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC, is currently the system director of hospital epidemiology and infection prevention at the University of California, San Francisco, as well as founder and CEO of Innovative Partners Institute, a coaching and consulting company.

Isis Lamphier, MPH, CIC, is the manager of infection prevention at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, and a member of 

Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC, is the senior nurse program research manager at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Infection Disease in Baltimore, Maryland. She is also the owner of Broad Street Prevention and a member of 

Sharon Ward-Fore, MS, BS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC, an infection prevention consultant, 

“I think we think we know what [burnout] means or how to recognize this,” Saunders explains during the Round Table. “But we've been constantly redefining this definition and understanding it better than we ever have before, especially in light of all the work stress that we've experienced over the past 4 years. … [Burnout] is chronic stress, leading to an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and cynicism about one's job. And that's what I want our audience to hear today is that chronic stress is not burnout, but chronic stress 

Lamphier explains what managers and coworkers should do when they suspect someone has burnout. “It's also important to know the team that you work with, and looking for signs or symptoms that individuals might be experiencing burnout or stress and addressing them when you notice them is also beneficial. And having those hard discussions as well [is important]. If you know someone who's a lone IP, it can be a very difficult and daunting task to reach out to those IPs who work by themselves because they might not have someone who's in a similar field [who] can check in on them, like an IP [with] a team [does].”

Ward-Fore says she worries about the stigma of burnout. “My husband is a psychiatrist. We talk about stigma all the time. And it's still there, even though we're [as a society] more cognizant of how important our mental wellbeing is, especially coming out of—or maybe not out of—our pandemic. Those are things we need to address; how do we remove that stigma?”

Doran agrees and explains what does not work to get over burnout. “There's a lot of shame around burnout. There is a lot of misconception that burnout is really the responsibility and the problem of the individual. When we're talking about burnout, if you're sharing that with peers, sharing that with your coworkers, there can be this sense again of shame and guilt, and they think, “I should just change my attitude,” I should just go do some meditation classes [or] get an app. What we've learned about burnout is it's so much deeper; you're not going to meditate yourself out of it.”

Saunders says burnout is more than an individual or managerial problem. “We get back to [burnout is] not just an individual-level problem. For us to be able to say we need the soft skills, we need IPs to make the relationships go to the units. In addition to data management, we're saying that we need leadership, and we need systems and organizations that are going to support our IP departments. So we do prevent the snowball into burnout.”

Frontline infection preventionists (IPs) face burnout due to challenges in public health. This Round Table on IP Burnout discusses strategies to prevent and address this critical issue. The IPs emphasize the importance of understanding burnout, recognizing signs, addressing stigma, and implementing multilayered prevention strategies for both individuals and organizations.

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