Tori Whitacre Martonicz

In-person training significantly improves health care workers' PPE practices and infection prevention knowledge, addressing gaps left by virtual methods and enhancing overall patient safety and care quality.

Sage Memorial Hospital, Navajo Health Foundation in Arizona tackles health care and infection control challenges through innovative strategies and cultural sensitivity, serving the Navajo community with respect and resilience.

Tampa General Hospital's ECMO-specific infection prevention protocol eradicated bloodstream infections, reducing rates from 36% to 0%, demonstrating the effectiveness of tailored infection control measures in high-risk patients.

Memorial Hermann Hospital's targeted screening and isolation protocol for Candida auris significantly reduces patient exposure and spread, effectively ensuring safety and preventing health care-associated infections.

The ICER Collaborative addresses IPC gaps for EMS and firefighters, enhancing infection control through tailored training, advisory boards, and interagency collaboration based on year-1 findings as presented at APIC24.

Dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) significantly reduces surface bioburden in long-term care facilities, enhancing infection control and lowering volatile organic compounds, as presented by Mary L. Cole, MS, RN, CNRN, CCRN, SCRN, CIC, at APIC24.

Andrea Flinchum, 2024 president of Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, INC (CBIC) explains the AL-CIP Certification at APIC Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

APIC24: A Texas health care system's study found that electronic notifications and self-assessments for communicable disease exposure significantly improve efficiency and adherence in managing health care worker exposures.

A presentation at APIC 2024 will feature strategies for combating emerging pathogens, emphasizing preparedness for infection preventionists amid rising global health threats, including dengue, measles, and new unknown pathogens.

IPs discuss APIC's white paper, which highlights IPs frustrations with outdated and unclear medical device IFUs and the challenges they face.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not protect against norovirus, a highly contagious virus. Effective alternatives like hypochlorous acid-based sanitizers are crucial for better infection control.

APIC and IPAC Canada introduce the EIPAC Decision-Making Framework to guide health care professionals through ethical dilemmas in infection prevention, promoting fair and transparent decision-making.

At HSPA 2024, Lila Price, CRCST, CER, CHL, and Dannie O. Smith, III, BSc, CSPDT, CRCST, CHL, CIS, CER, emphasized accurate instrument labeling and demonstrated a game to improve communication between the operating room and sterile processing departments.

Phase III trial of zoliflodacin shows it as effective as current treatments for uncomplicated gonorrhea, highlighting its potential in combating rising antibiotic resistance.

A new medical device uses microneedles and a suction cup to simplify blood sampling. It aids needle-phobic patients and benefits low-income regions with cost-effective diagnostics.

On May 16, 2024, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) published its recommendations in a report on updating medical device instructions for use (IFUs).

Discover strategies to combat H5N1 influenza spillover in cattle, emphasizing collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of human, animal, and environmental well-being.

Lymphedema, a chronic condition often stemming from cancer treatments, leads to tissue swelling. Early detection through surveillance programs and proper skincare can prevent complications like infections.

A recent study’s results demonstrate that PuraCath Medical Inc.'s breakthrough UV-C device disinfects needleless connectors, potentially reducing CLABSI risks in hospital settings.

Health care has an unmet need for the treatment of herpesviruses, hepatitis B, and hepatitis D, which would enhance patient outcomes. What should be done, and what challenges do companies that are trying to develop treatments face?

Noah Wald-Dickler, MD, FACP, discusses the safety and efficacy of oral transition therapy, challenges in antimicrobial stewardship, and evidence-based alternatives presented at SHEA 2024.

Cheri Ackert-Burr, DNP, BAEd, RN, CNOR, CNS, AGTS, discusses optimizing drying strategies for medical devices, crucial in instrument processing, emphasizing efficiency gains and insights shared at the HSPA Annual Conference.

HSPA’s 2024-2025 president, Anthony Bondon, CRCST, CHL, BSM, AAS, SME, LSSYB, spoke with Infection Control Today to discuss his goals for his tenure and more.

Explore how Exeter Hospital revamped sustainability efforts, reducing waste, improving efficiency, and saving costs in the sterile processing department, as presented at HSPA 2024.

Discover how a playful, educational approach revolutionized continuous learning for a sterile processing department from a poster presented at the HSPA Conference 2024.

Check out the highlights so far from Infection Control Today at the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 20 to April 23, 2024.

The CMCVAMC Sterile Processing Services Department presents their roadmap for success at HSPA 2024, focusing on workflow, instrumentation, tools, tracking, and SOPs.

CSSD at Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital presents a poster at HSPA 2024, outlining efforts to streamline loaner equipment management for surgical efficiency.

This presentation by Jill Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, CRCST, NREMT, CHL, at HSPA 2024, focuses on understanding and implementing ANSI/AAMI ST79 Amendment 1 to improve environmental services in sterile processing.

Jill Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, CRCST, NREMT, CHL, and Katie Belski, BSHCA, CRCST, CHL, CIS, spoke at the HSPA Annual Conference about being survey-ready. Listen to ICT's interview to learn more!