Everywhere you turn there is increasing regulation. Guidelines, rules, regulations, laws, mandates, directives, executive orders are increasing in number and complexity. Everywhere you turn there is change: reorganization, computerization, internetization, de-centralization, centralization, relocation, dislocation, and consolidation.
A basic rule of being successful in today's healthcare world as well as the world in general is awareness and flexibility. You must create your own way of staying informed, of being aware. Interpreting the rapidly changing environment around you requires commitment and energy. At no time in our history have we been so swamped with volumes of information. It's not the information age; it's the information blitz. At no time in our history have we had such free access to information or such speedy access to information. These are all records that will be exceeded tomorrow morning.
The trick is to filter out the information that is useful to you. You have to decide what fits this criteria. This is a real trick. So much of the info swarming around is not applicable to us and distracts us from the information that can be used. Granted, some of the information floating around has entertainment value. After all, it is important to be entertained. However, it shortly becomes a matter of priorities. You must do the sorting out. I suggest transforming yourself into a receptor--a finely tuned one that has a filter that separates only the information you need.
If you scan the horizon in a complete 360º circle you can easily be overwhelmed, seemly drowned by information into a sea of babble. Here's where Infection Control Today® comes to the rescue. If you're involved in a perioperative healthcare profession, we provide targeted information so that you can do your work better, more efficiently. Let us know how we can help you in the future as well. We're your trade journal, after all.
Craig Burr
Publisher
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.