Prevention

Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.

Whether it's a spring holiday, birthdays, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers some gift ideas for infection prevention personnel and their families.

In an exclusive interview, Ruth Carrico, professor at the University of Louisville, and independent infection prevention consultant, discusses her groundbreaking study with Timothy L. Wiemken, PhD, MPH, CIC, on AI's role in identifying health care-associated infections and its implications for the field.

Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.

Is your calendar resembling a chaotic masterpiece of overlapping tasks? Join the club of infection preventionists striving to balance responsibilities. Dive into proven strategies from a fellow infection preventionist to reclaim control of your time, streamline tasks, and boost productivity effectively. This is an IP Lifeline article.

Infection Control Today observes World Tuberculous Day 2024 and encourages all infection prevention and control personnel to never give up the fight against this age-old disease.

CenTrak, the industry leader in real-time location technology, introduces the groundbreaking BLE Multi-Mode Platform, setting a new standard for Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) in health care. Discover how this innovative solution enhances location data precision and streamlines operations for health care organizations.

Discover research by Peter Graves, BSN, RN, CNOR, and Maureen Spencer, MEd, RN, CIC, FAPIC, the lasting impact and hidden expenses of SSIs, shedding light on effective prevention strategies.

In the fast-paced world of infection prevention, mastering time management is key. Learn from an expert, Mary E. Reilly MHA, BSN, RN, CIC,on calendar hacks and productivity.

March shines a spotlight on patient safety with Patient Safety Awareness Week, which ran from March 10 to March 16, 2024. This dedicated period aims to educate and empower health care workers, emphasizing the paramount importance of safe health care environments. Read about it here.

During AORN's 2024 conference, Michael Sinnott, MBBS, FACEM, FRACP, shared insights on enhancing safety education's impact. Learn how to engage audiences and ensure lasting lessons in health care instruction.

Uncover the pivotal role of environmental hygiene in thwarting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for infection prevention teams. Learn how rigorous cleaning protocols and advanced technologies enhance patient safety and combat AMR.

Four years ago today, March 15, 2020, the COVID-19 lockdown began, and since then, the world has undergone significant changes. It has been a terrifying experience for everyone, especially for the infection prevention community, both within and outside of the health care sector. However, a crucial question remains unanswered: What has the infection prevention community learned from this pandemic, and where does it go from here?

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?

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.