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At the AORN’s International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024, a team from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) showcased their transformative project, "Becoming Smoke-Free in the OR." This initiative underscored the critical need for smoke evacuation in surgical settings.

As explained on a poster at AORN 2024, perioperative nurses and infection preventionists unite in a proactive campaign to elevate hand hygiene within the operating room, resulting in improved adherence, decreased infections, and fortified patient outcomes.

The surge of measles cases in the United States highlights vaccination gaps and politicization of public health, as CDC urges action amidst rising concerns, writes Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC.

Jai Shah, CEO of Kahuna Workforce Solutions, discusses nursing challenges from staffing shortages to burnout. Learn how digitized competency management transforms patient care, patient safety, and nurse satisfaction.

The CDC's recent decision to align recommendations for respiratory viruses, particularly COVID-19, has garnered support from the public and infectious disease societies. However, as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) lends its backing to the CDC's harmonization efforts, concerns persist regarding the implications of this shift, especially considering the Omicron variant's unique characteristics and the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19's multi-system impacts.

Do operating room personnel understand the complexities of the sterile processing department? They rely on the sterile processing department for surgical instruments, but are they aware of its complexities and requirements?

Amidst the complex dance of scalpels and sterile fields in surgical theaters, a silent guardian stands vigilant—the surgical infection preventionist. Poster author, Charles Vickery, Jr, BSN, RN, CIC, CRST, of AdventHealth Central Florida, unveils the indispensable role of this health care sentinel at AORN's International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024.

At the AORN’s International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024, a presentation on surgical smoke drew applause and strong emotion about the continuing fight for legislation on removing surgical smoke from operating rooms. Infection Control Today was there to tell you what happened.

In the dynamic world of infection prevention and control (IPC), Erica Smith knows perioperative nursing and infection prevention. With a passion for supporting surgery centers and independent ASCs, her upcoming presentation dives deep into the common mistakes and challenges faced in IPC practices.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending March 10, 2024.

Infection Control Today's® Product Locator is a column that highlights the latest advanced technology in infection prevention.

Discover the critical role infection preventionists play in combating multidrug-resistant organisms, from the impact on patient care to the challenges of treatment, and the evolving landscape of antimicrobial resistance with Katharine J Hoffman, MPH, CIC.

Explore the enigmatic world of prions with insights from Ryan A. Maddox, PhD, from the CDC, as ICT® delves into handling, risks, and precautions for these rare, formidable proteins.

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.

Ten cases of measles have been reported Florida alone. With measles transmission rates soaring, questions abound about how this latest case emerged, and why these numbers keep rising.

Step into the diverse and poignant world of "Corona City: Voices From an Epicenter" with editor Lorraine Ash, MA. In this insightful Q&A, learn about the origins of this remarkable anthology, the challenges faced in capturing raw, unfiltered narratives of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the lasting impact of these stories on readers and communities alike.

Pfizer Inc, has released promising top-line data for its Abrysvo vaccine, demonstrating high efficacy against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults aged 60 and older. These findings from the Phase 3 clinical trial hold significant implications for infection control personnel working to combat RSV infections, especially in vulnerable populations.

Rare Disease Day on February 29, 2024, shines a global light on the impact of rare diseases, including rare infectious diseases. With a focus on early diagnosis and treatment access, this day highlights the struggles of those with rare conditions.

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.

A recent commentary by Dr. Amesh Adalja in MedPage Today challenges the perception of COVID-19 as solely a respiratory virus, highlighting its broader impact on the body. This analysis questions the notion that COVID-19 should be managed like common respiratory infections, urging a closer look at vaccine effectiveness, the rise of long COVID, and the need for enhanced measures to curb the virus's spread. Let's explore the complexities of COVID-19 management and the pressing realities faced by the US and the world.

The 20 conditions, known as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), are estimated to affect more than 1 billion people, yet many individuals have never heard of them. Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC, discusses 5 of them and what is being done to prevent their spread.

Lassa fever causes 5000 deaths a year. What should health care workers and the public know about this rare disease, and what is done to treat it?

Enmetazobactam (Exblifep; Orchid Pharma) has received FDA approval for treating complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), offering a promising solution in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.

Despite the severity of a measles diagnosis, outbreaks continue. Health care workers should encourage their patients to receive the vaccine and explain its safety.

Dive into the intricate world of malaria, from parasite complexities to climate change, and the latest in vaccination, vital knowledge for health care workers.

Health care workers urged to review biosecurity as USDA confirms first HPAI case since 2022 in domestic birds during ongoing outbreak.

Water, essential in health care, from hygiene to medical procedures. AAMI's ST108 sets new standards, vital for patient safety and equipment integrity.

Preventable health care-associated infections (pHAIs) cost US health care facilities up to $123 million per day.

The field of health care has placed a great emphasis on infection prevention in recent years, making it imperative for professionals in this domain to obtain certifications and additional training. These credentials verify their expertise and enable them to gain access to better job prospects and higher earning potential.

Automation of probe reprocessing can have multiple benefits for patients, clinicians and facilities, including improvements in efficiency, accuracy, compliance, standardization and safety. When considering process options for high level disinfection of ultrasound probes, automated systems can be an efficient and cost-effective way to prevent patients from the risk of infection. It’s time to work smarter, safer, happier, more efficiently, and accurately… not harder.