Each year there are a number of annual events and gatherings that we attend in order tostay tuned in on the latest best practices and products in healthcare. Some meetings aretaking on carnival-like character while others are still managing to stay focused oncontent. Some events are really beneficial to participate in and some are like emptysuits. In every case, we view them as opportunities to get one-on-one with the readers weserve.
Today's reality and the advances in media have created the ability to get one-on-onewithout actually being face-to-face. Certainly, a face-to-face encounter at a tradeshow orcongress can facilitate information exchange and produce good results. These events arenot yet dinosaurs. However, there are many tools today that let you get one-on-one withoutleaving the office or hospital. Numerous technological developments and the long-distancerelationships they help facilitate have opened very productive communication channels. Wehave all been "dot-comed" and have seen how these electronic tools help buildand maintain relationships and communication. Phone, fax, and e-mail keep us involved inone-on-one communication as well.
Given the trade-offs involved in travel budgets, time away form home and office, andthe opportunity costs of neglecting other things while away at trade events, it mayactually be far more productive to be one-on-one instead of face-to-face. Using technologyto really create one-on-one relationships with readers, colleagues, customers, and clientsis not only the true key to productivity but is also the better way to access the world ofinformation we seek when attending trade events. If you invest yourself in relationshipsand in readily available technology, you may be able to reassess the annual events youattend.
Substance is very important in the healthcare tradeshow and meetings environmentbecause the application of knowledge shared in these events has consequences--consequencesthat have a very personal impact on patient and staff safety. Separating the fluff fromthe substance can sometimes be challenging. Perhaps if you use technology to buildone-on-one relationships, you will be able to refocus your expectations and agenda fortrade events and therefore make them more productive for you as well.
Craig Burr
Publisher
For a complete list of references click here
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.