Hospital infection prevention professionals strive to create an environment that ensures patient safety by maintaining sterile technique and averting surgical site infections. One of the keys to achieving this is having a well-trained perioperative nursing staff who understand real-world surgical procedures. However, the transition from foundational education to surgical competence can be a challenging one.
At…
Recent reports have underscored a pressing need for the enhancement and efficiency of infection control and prevention systems within U.S. healthcare facilities. A startling record in Oregon in 2024 revealed 1,000 instances of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), a number failing to align with the HAI target reductions established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
Recent research, as documented in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care's June 2025 issue, offers valuable insights into various strategies that could potentially enhance the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores. This retrospective study systematically reviewed the literature released in the past 5 years to pinpoint the factors influencing…
Infection Prevention Leader, Heather Stoltzfus will be sharing her insights into how medical tourism poses a growing risk to infection prevention in her session at the APIC25 conference. Her discussions highlight how the increasing interconnectivity of global healthcare requires professionals in infection prevention to widen their perspectives beyond local healthcare settings. Ms. Stoltzfus' extensive experience…
Critical to patient safety, the domain of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) still largely remains one of the most misunderstood fields within healthcare. Even though its importance was reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, confusion persists around the field's entry pathways, training standards, and recognition within health institutions, often causing professionals to learn the IPC ropes…
A comprehensive study carried out by the Columbia University School of Nursing has shed light on the state of training and policy implementation regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) in home healthcare (HHC) agencies. The study analyzed data accumulated through surveys conducted among Medicare-certified HHC agencies, providing an overview of the industry practice changes between…
The 2025 Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Annual Conference & Expo played host to an insightful presentation delivered by Cheron Rojo, a prominent figure in the field of clinical education who currently functions as the senior manager of clinical education for Healthmark, a Getinge company. In his presentation, Rojo highlighted the urgent requirement to bridge…
In the face of staffing shortages and a rise in potential contagion risks, the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) has devised a solution: the TEPHI 200-Series. This program offers accessible and impactful training designed to equip healthcare professionals with the tools needed to bolster national infection prevention efforts.
Infection prevention and control (IPC), a fundamental…
Nigeria is experiencing a renewed call for the fortification of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures amidst escalating concern over recurring infectious disease outbreaks. This call stems from the dire need to control the circulation of illnesses such as Lassa fever in both hospital and community settings. The importance of these measures was the focus…
Meticulousness is critical in the operating room (OR). A single mistake, whether in Infection Prevention, patient positioning, or sterile technique, may result in serious repercussions. Not only does this affect the patient's safety but it also impacts the hospital's compliance, accreditation status, and potentially its financial viability.
Consider a case presented by Colleen Becker, Director of…