HAIs

AAMI TIR17:2024 provides updated, evidence-based guidance on material compatibility with sterilization modalities. It offers essential insights for medical device design and ensures safety without compromising functionality.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending March 23, 2025.

A Candida auris outbreak in a burn intensive care unit (BICU) in Illinois has highlighted the persistent challenges of infection control in high-risk health care settings. Despite rigorous containment efforts, this multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen continued to spread, underscoring the need for enhanced prevention strategies, environmental monitoring, and genomic surveillance.

Health care-associated infections pose a global threat. In the op-ed, experts advocate for Far-UVC light as a safe, effective tool to reduce airborne pathogens, enhancing infection control in hospitals and public spaces.

Ultrasonic cleaners enhance sterile processing by removing microscopic bioburden, ensuring safer medical instruments, reducing infection risks, and improving efficiency compared to manual cleaning alone.

The growing H5N1 avian flu outbreak threatens public health and food security. Without urgent action, mutations could spark human-to-human transmission, creating the next global pandemic.

Reusable health care textiles enhance infection prevention, reduce waste, and strengthen supply chains. Hygienically clean textiles offer a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to disposable PPE, ensuring patient safety and environmental responsibility.

HHS’s move to eliminate public input on health policies threatens patient safety and infection prevention. APIC demands transparency, accountability, and urgent action to protect public health.

Silent threats lurk within—heart infections can stem from unnoticed bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Infection preventionists hold the power to stop these hidden killers before they strike.

Truth is not always obvious. Using triangulation, we can fact-check news, research, and social media, ensuring we make informed choices based on credible, multiple sources.

Short-cycle sterilization offers a safe, efficient alternative to immediate-use sterilization, ensuring rapid instrument turnover while maintaining sterility. Proper protocols, validation, and staff training are critical for success.

Antibiotic stewardship in long-term care facilities relies on McGeer and Loeb criteria to guide infection surveillance and appropriate prescribing, ensuring better outcomes for residents and reducing resistance.

Health care–associated infections like CLABSIs and CAUTIs threaten patient safety. Learn evidence-based strategies, new technologies, and prevention protocols to reduce these infections and improve outcomes.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) presents significant challenges for infection control. Learn best practices for safe instrument disposal, reprocessing, and compliance with CDC and WHO guidelines.

A silent invader lurks in health care settings, exploiting human oversights to spread. Discover how vigilance, hand hygiene, and disinfection can stop infections before they begin.

During Black History Month, we honor the resilience and contributions of Black medical professionals in health care. Despite barriers, they have led transformative changes, advocating for equitable access and medical excellence. Recognizing their impact ensures a more inclusive health care future for all.

Herpes infections pose significant risks in dentistry. JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, PhD, presented prevention, treatment, occupational hazards, and a potential breakthrough in gene therapy that could revolutionize herpes management at the Midwinter Meeting.

Proper glove use is crucial in health care settings to prevent infections. Guidelines from TJC, CDC, and WHO stress correct selection, usage, and disposal to minimize health care–associated infections (HAIs) and cross-contamination risks. Infection preventionists (IPs) play a key role in educating staff, enforcing compliance, and improving patient safety through standardized glove practices.

Launching a hospital-wide program for non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) necessitates a clear structure and toolkit.

GermZAPP is an affordable hand hygiene system designed to educate, monitor, and encourage adherence in schools, nursing homes, and health care settings, effectively addressing gaps in infection control.

A new H5N1 strain was found in Nevada dairy cows, challenging earlier transmission theories. This raises concerns about animal vulnerability, human health risks, and food safety. Experts emphasize the need for improved surveillance, biosecurity, and cross-sector collaboration to contain the virus spread.

Fungal infections are a rising global threat, with antifungal resistance complicating treatment. Neil J. Clancy, MD, emphasizes the urgent need for research, better diagnostics, and stronger infection prevention strategies.

Nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is a deadly, overlooked infection impacting patient outcomes. With new diagnostic tools and prevention strategies, hospitals must prioritize oral hygiene to reduce risk.

A surge in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases highlights the need for improved detection, prevention, and public awareness, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

Despite medical advances, HIV prevention faces roadblocks—low PrEP adoption, stigma, and accessibility issues threaten progress. Experts push for innovative, long-acting solutions to end the epidemic.

Despite revolutionary advancements like alcohol-based hand rubs, infection prevention still faces major hurdles. Poor adherence to hygiene, overreliance on technology, and understaffed environmental services create perfect storm conditions for deadly outbreaks.

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The US CDC's sudden cutoff from WHO threatens global health security, leaving infection preventionists scrambling to track deadly outbreaks like Marburg virus, mpox, and avian flu.

A CNA unknowingly worked while infectious with mpox, exposing 56 residents. Yet, no secondary infections occurred, highlighting the power of standard precautions in healthcare settings.

Norovirus and avian influenza outbreaks require infection preventionists to enhance hygiene, train staff, implement PPE use, and ensure effective disinfection to protect health care workers, patients, and facilities.