Infection Control
When Product Labels and Regulatory Guidelines Clash
A huge gap exists between government registration protocols for disinfectants and processing an emergency department trauma room.
2/19/2025
Barriers to Infection: Rethinking Mattress Cleaning
Laundering removable bed barriers provides a more effective, consistent and safer method for eliminating harmful bacteria compared to manual cleaning.
2/5/2025
The Top States for Pest Infestations
Healthcare facilities are among the most popular locations for pest infestations.
2/4/2025
Coos County Nursing Hospital Fighting Flu Outbreak
Eight residents and 10 staff members have tested positive so far.
1/22/2025
Balancing Hand Hygiene Monitoring with Broader Infection Prevention Goals
A recent AJIC study sheds light on possibly reducing the amount of hand hygiene observations without compromising data integrity.
1/16/2025
Bugs Without Borders: The Coming HAI Crisis
A tsunami of pathogenic threats to healthcare facilities is not unthinkable. Simple cleaning might be a key defense.
1/15/2025
Healthcare Facilities May Reduce Amount of Hand Observations
Practicing hand hygiene has been the number one recommendation given to stop the spread of infections.
1/7/2025
Biofilms: Top-Tier Threat to Surface Disinfection
It is time to recognize biofilms as the top-of-the-pyramid predators they are.
1/6/2025
Disinfectant Dispensers in Healthcare Facilities Often Fail to Deliver Safe Concentrations: Study
Study of 10 hospitals finds 90 percent have at least one dispenser delivering disinfectants at incorrect concentrations.
12/26/2024
What's In the Toilet Bowl Is in the Air, Too
Aerosolized contaminants from toilet plumes remain airborne for up to seven days and can be inhaled by patients and healthcare workers.
12/11/2024
Dry-Surface Biofilms: Challenges and Strategies
Environmental services managers might not be using the right disinfectant in their cleaning operations.
12/2/2024
Infection Preventionist Staffing Levels Correlate to HAI Incidence
Nearly four in five hospitals are not staffed at sufficient levels to keep patients safe from preventable infections, according to a study.
11/14/2024
Plume Problems: Toilets and Airborne Contaminants
Fecal bacteria and viruses ejected during flushing can contaminate restroom surfaces with microorganisms.
11/13/2024
Biofilms: The New Frontier for Reducing MDRO
Biofilms in healthcare facilities act as reservoirs for microbial transmission to patients that can lead to infection.
11/4/2024
Five Key Strategies to Implementing Automated Hand Hygiene Systems
Hand hygiene is a core policy in healthcare facilities, and AHMMS are one solution to improving compliance.
10/23/2024
Mold Matters: Strategies for Prevention and Remediation
Understanding how to detect mold early, assess its risks and implement effective mitigation is essential to ensure a safe environment.
10/14/2024
Infection Control in the Splash Zone
Handwashing sinks have been a target for infection control improvement in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
10/9/2024
Cleanology: The Need for a Study of Cleaning
There are no accepted risk-based standards to verify whether a hospital is truly clean and safe.
10/2/2024
Construction, Contamination and the Case for 'Clean'
Study of healthcare facility surfaces during and after construction highlight potential risk of HAIs.
9/18/2024
Healthcare Design Does Not Have to be Compromised to Prevent HAIs
Many think that healthcare facilities have to be bland spaces in order to keep people healthy, but that isn’t always the case.
9/10/2024
What Materials Can Prevent HAIs?
Hospital acquired infections can help be prevented with select materials.
9/3/2024
APIC Issues Statement Following HHS Report Concerning Nursing Homes
The new report estimates that one in four nursing homes nationwide may not have complied with federal requirements about infection preventionists.
8/27/2024
When It Comes to Disinfectants, Close Is Not Good Enough
Front-line technicians need better products, processes and education to ensure healthcare facility surfaces are safe, clean and disinfected.
8/21/2024
Two Hospitals See HAI Reduction After Installing Air Decontamination System
The study showed a 96 to 99 percent reduction in MRSA and a 70 percent decrease in total HAIs.
8/8/2024
Controlling the Spread of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria
WHO has sounded the alarm over an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria that is becoming more common and encourages healthcare facilities to ramp up infection control measures.
8/7/2024
How To ESKAPE the Threat of Pathogens on Surfaces
Environmental service technicians play an essential role in preventing hospital acquired infections.
8/5/2024
Environmental Services and the Fight Against AMR Bacteria
Disinfecting and training are low-cost options that address the rising threat of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
7/17/2024
Sinks, Drains and the Need for Infection Control
The acquisition of infections from sink drains might be more widespread in in-patients than previously thought.
7/15/2024
WHO Updates Airborne Pathogen Definitions
Updated definitions enable different industries and professionals to communicate in a common language.
7/8/2024
The Case for Revamping Cleaning and Disinfecting Instructions
Healthcare facilities should advocate for developing a standardized format for instructions for use and making them last the product’s lifespan.
7/1/2024
Hands Off: How Hands-Free Doors Help Reduce Pathogen Transmission
Door manufacturers discuss hands-free doors and how they aid in reducing germ spread.
6/28/2024
3 Key Benefits of UV-C Disinfection for Healthcare Facilities
Being faster for disinfection is one benefit, among others.
6/26/2024
Stopping C. Auris Transmission from Adults to Infants
With the right disinfectant and enough time, a trained EVS technician can prevent more C. auris than a roomful of doctors can cure.
6/17/2024
In Hospitals, Pest Control Is Infection Control
By prioritizing pest control in hospitals, managers can create a hygienic environment that promotes healing, recovery and well-being.
6/10/2024
AdventHealth Implements Infection Prevention Program
The Florida hospital more than doubled staff positions for infection prevention and control over a four-year period.
6/6/2024
Addressing a Months-Long CPE Outbreak
Study follows infection prevention efforts of contaminated sinks and plumbing at Tokyo hospital.
5/16/2024
Infection Prevention for 'Near Patient' Surfaces
Six core components for cleaning and disinfecting the bed and 36 inches around it.
5/15/2024
Cameron Memorial Community Hospital Cleans Up with OhmniClean
CMCH adopted the UV-C disinfection robot to assist with their EVS services.
5/8/2024
Scrubbing Up for World Hand Hygiene Day
The day focuses on proper handwashing and care, which is especially important in the healthcare field.
5/3/2024
Outfitting HVAC Systems to Kill Airborne Pathogens
HVAC manufacturers discuss implementing different technologies in HVAC systems to combat germ spread.
5/2/2024
Do Not Compromise in Choosing the Right Disinfectant
Managers should select the best disinfecting protocols that reduce worker exposures and maintain patient safety.
5/1/2024
The 'Cruise Ship Virus' Has Come Ashore
Each year, norovirus causes an average of 900 deaths and 19-21 million illnesses.
4/3/2024
EPA Creates New Disinfectant List for Bloodborne Pathogens
The risk of employee exposure to bloodborne diseases is a recognized hazard in the healthcare industry, and employers must act to abate the hazard.
4/2/2024
Improving Infection Control in Long-Term Care Facilities
Having programs in place and even an infection preventionist on staff are critical to infection control.
3/28/2024
Do We Need a National Toilet Plume Standard?
Toilet plume aerosolization helps healthcare-associated infections spread to patients and healthcare staff.
3/13/2024
Mandating a Patient's Right to a Clean Room
All interested parties should work together to create a universal, meaningful standard of cleanliness for patient rooms.
3/4/2024
3 Nuances of Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
With cleaning and disinfection being crucial in healthcare, understanding their nuances is key.
2/16/2024
Bleach Study Sends Unneeded Shock Waves
Can bacteria become resistant to disinfectants? Perhaps. However, let’s look at the facts.
2/12/2024
Identifying Germs and Cleaning Occupied Spaces for Environmental Services
Disinfectant manufacturers discuss germ identification and cleaning occupied spaces.
2/9/2024
Needed: New Framework for Environmental Services Workers
Develop an apprenticeship program for environmental services technicians in healthcare that leads to certification.
2/5/2024
