Shows
Brett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1110, Dangerous Assignment, To Ask a Guy To Shoot You🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-11-1926 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1110, Dangerous Assignment, To Ask a Guy To Shoot You🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-11-1926 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1103, Dangerous Assignment, The Underground Press🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-11-1229 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1103, Dangerous Assignment, The Underground Press🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-11-1229 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1096, Dangerous Assignment, A Stolen Treaty🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-11-0526 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1096, Dangerous Assignment, A Stolen Treaty🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-11-0526 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1089, Dangerous Assignment, Assignment Ghost Hunters🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-10-2925 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1089, Dangerous Assignment, Assignment Ghost Hunters🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-10-2925 min
Infection Control MattersPosters from the 2025 Innovation Academy at ICPIC and from the UK IPS ConferenceIn this episode, Brett and Martin discuss a few posters that interested them from recent major infection prevention conferences.
Brett was at the ICPIC Conference in Geneva and found plenty of interest in the Innovation academy.
Tracing hand pathogen transmission with and without hand hygiene with a newly developed DNA-encapsulating Lipid Nanoparticle system
Innovative FFP2 procedural mask for safer high-risk procedures
A new medical mask made of filtering, transparent and ecofriendly material
AI for healthcare-associated infection
Martin was on his travels as well and recorded a few discussions with poster presenters at the 2025 Infection Prevention So...
2025-10-2915 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1082, Dangerous Assignment, Dangling from the Wrong End of a Rope🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-10-2230 minBrett’s Old Time Radio ShowBrett's Old Time Radio Show Episode 1082, Dangerous Assignment, Dangling from the Wrong End of a Rope🎧 TONIGHT: The CIA-Inspired Spy Show That Took Over 1950s Radio! 🎙️
Espionage, Danger & Global Intrigue on Brett’s Old Time Radio Show
Welcome back, agents of nostalgia—this is Brett’s Old Time Radio Show, your weekly time machine to the Golden Age of Radio! I’m Brett, coming to you from my cozy studio overlooking the windswept shores of Lyme Bay, where the sea itself sounds like an old spy signal…
🕵️♂️ Tonight, we’re decoding one of the most thrilling espionage radio dramas to ever hit the airwaves—Dangerous Assignment, starring Hollywood legend Brian Donlevy as the unshakable special...
2025-10-2230 minInfection Control MattersCutting CDC and IPC funding in the US - Implications and what can we do?In this podcast, Brett and Phil have a chat with Professor David Weber on the sidelines of the ICPIC conference in Geneva. We chat about the funding cuts for the WHO and the US CDC, including the disbandment of HICPAC - and what this means for IPC. We discuss what is being done and what needs to happen to fill the void and to ensure contemporary IPC evidence and guidelines are available.
Prof Weber, a distinguished leader in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology, is the current President of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SH...
2025-10-0124 minInfection Control MattersThe no diaper (AKA nappy) zone - reducing CAUTI?In this 2-segment episode, Brett, Phil and Martin firstly mull over a nurse-led, bottom up (pun intended) quality improvement project that aimed to reduce CAUTI in a neonatal ICU in Georgia, USA. Having discussed how great it is to see this type of work written up, Martin then spoke to Katie Cabral the lead author for more insights and to find out if the innovation has been sustained.
Cabral K, Anderson V, Allen I, Hoskins D, Byers K, Gettis M. Entering a No Diaper Zone: Rethinking Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection. Critical care nurse 2025;45(4):21...
2025-09-0421 minInfection Control MattersCan modelling tell us what factors influence CAUTI in long and short-term catheters?In this episode, Brett, Phil and Martin discuss a recent paper from Freya Bull and colleagues, who undertook a modelling exercise to determine what factors determine the colonisation process for long and short-term urinary catheters. It turns out that different factors are in play here and that strategies for CAUTI prevention miht be different for each.
You can read the paper here:
Bull F, Tavaddod S, Bommer N, Perry M, Brackley CA, Allen RJ. Different factors control long-term versus short-term outcomes for bacterial colonisation of a urinary catheter. Nat Commun 2025;16(1):3940. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025...
2025-08-2116 minInfection Control MattersPosters from the Hong Kong Infection Control Nurses Association conferenceIn this episode, Brett reviews a few posters from the Hong Kong Infection Control Nurses Association conference. Topics include fit testing, bloodstream infection surveillance and environmental cleaning.
The poster discussed in the podcast can be viewed and downloaded here.
2025-07-0909 minInfection Control MattersThe Plume Room - adventures in toilet hygieneIn this episode recorded in an Irish Bar in Nelson (NZ), Brett and Martin dive headfirst into the swirling world of toilet aerosols, airborne pathogens, and potential mitigations.
We begin with a older study by Scott, Bloomfield, and Barlow examining the effectiveness of disinfection in real-world settings and how this depends heavily on practical application and behavioural compliance. Then we move to move to a recent contribution by Higham and colleagues, who shift the focus from surface disinfection to airborne exposure. Their paper presents a quantitative microbial risk assessment framework that models aerosolised viral particles generated by...
2025-06-2520 minInfection Control MattersAutomated national HCAI surveillance - potential or pipedream?In this episode, Brett, Phil and Martin discuss a recent paper from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that examined the timeliness of data points that could be used for a centrally implemented, automated HCAI surveillance system in England, as a potential alternative to the
24 current locally-implemented system. The aim was to examine the potential for a national, automated surveillance system that could reduce the burden of the existing labour-intensive process for mandatory surveillance in England although the results were felt to be generalisable.
Link to the paper we discuss:
Quan TP, Eyre DW, Shadwell...
2025-06-1115 minInfection Control MattersA re-introduction to Infection Control Matters 1500 days onIn this episode, we discuss the purpose of infection control matters and why we started the podcast. Recorded 1500 days after we started the podcast, Brett, Phil and Martin reflect on the podcast to date.
For new listeners, is also a chance to learn more about our approach to the podcast and how to make the most of our website.
2025-05-2811 minInfection Control MattersNational vs local IPC Guidelines - Lost in Translation?In this episode, we explore the crucial disconnect between national infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines and the local policies implemented in residential aged care (RAC) facilities. Brett and Martin talk to Dr Sanne Peters and Dr Kirsty Buising about their recent paper that reports on their recent analysis using the AACTT (Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time) behavioural framework, which reveals a lack of alignment and specificity in many local IPC documents.
We discuss:
Why well-intentioned policies often fail to drive behaviour
The implications of vague IPC statements in high-risk environments
...
2025-05-1435 minInfection Control MattersUse of AI to create a podcast discussion - are we out of a job?In this episode of Infection Control Matters, we explore the potential of AI tools to support education and professional dialogue in infection prevention and control.
We used NotebookLM, an experimental tool from Google designed to help users interact with their documents in new ways—summarising, clarifying, and even generating structured discussions based on uploaded content. Using research and guidance documents, we demonstrate how NotebookLM can be used to create a voice-generated conversation on key themes in IPC.
The paper that we uploaded was the recently published cost-effectiveness research that relates to the CLEEN study that we...
2025-04-1614 minInfection Control MattersSurveillance for HCAI - What is important, feasible and useful - and what isn't..In this episode, Brett and Martin chat with Dr. Jessica Schults and Dr. Sally Havers about a recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study used a modified Delphi process to identify key healthcare infection surveillance priorities in Queensland.
Through a two-round methodology, infection prevention experts identified 13 key infection measures for a standardized minimum dataset. This dataset aims to improve statewide HAI surveillance, enhance data consistency, and support targeted infection prevention efforts. The findings offer a model that could inform broader national and international surveillance strategies.
The in-press paper is currently...
2025-03-1938 minInfection Control MattersReducing CAUTI in intermittent self-catheterisation. The trial that didn't make it..In this episode, Phil Russo talks to Brett Mitchell and Kate Browne about a study that did not make it over the line. Following a systematic review in 2021 that examined the issue of UTIs in those who self catheterise, a study to examine whether previous work demonstrating a reduction in CAUTI in indwelling catheters through the use of Chlorhexidine for meatal cleansing would be effective was designed. The team discuss the complexities of getting what was essentially a community-based study over the line and why ultimately it did not progress, much to the sadness of the team. previous relevant...
2025-02-0531 minInfection Control MattersA poster walk at ACIPC 2024In this episode Brett and Phil chat about a few of the posters presented at the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control 2024 Conference held in Melbourne in November 2024. Poster topics include hand hygiene, surveillance, and a pilot RCT on chlorhexidine impregnated dressings.
You can access poster abstracts below and a pdf of the posters here
Improving Hand Hygiene Practices in the Marshall Islands
Epidemiology of Hospital-acquired Bloodstream Infections at a Quaternary Hospital Service
An antimicrobial dressing for prevention of infection complication related peripheral intravenous catheter: an international randomised c...
2025-01-2217 minInfection Control MattersEngaging Junior Doctors in IPCIn this episode recorded at the 2024 Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) Conference in Melbourne, Brett and Phil talk to Dr Sarah Browning (ID Physician at Hunter New England) and two Junior Medical Officers (JMOs) Sam and Lochlan who worked on IPC-related projects whilst on placement.
2025-01-0818 min
The Brett Allan ShowComedian Finesse Mitchell | The Brett Allan Show | Denver Improv Comedy Theatre and Restaurant 12/27 through 12/29Comedian Finesse Mitchell | The Brett Allan Show | Denver Improv Comedy Theatre and Restaurant 12/27 through 12/29 Comedian and actor Finesse Mitchell drops by the show to promote his upcoming shows in Denver, December 27th through the 29th at the Denver Improv Comedy Theatre and Restaurant!https://www.finessemitchell.tv/TICKETS HERE!https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1038215/?partner_id=100&clickref=1011lA6g2os8We also talk about comedy longevity, being funny all the time, the SNL 50-year reunion and...
2024-12-2316 minInfection Control MattersThe 2024 End of Year SpecialIn this episode, Brett, Phil and Martin reflect on the year. We chat about favourite podcasts, papers and conferences in our usual informal manner (well probably even more informal than normal). Papers we mention are listed below.
Cimen C, Bathoorn E, Loeve AJ, Fliss M, Berends MS, Nagengast WB, et al. Uncovering the spread of drug-resistant bacteria through next-generation sequencing based surveillance: transmission of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales by a contaminated duodenoscope. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2024;13(1):31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-024-01386-5
Torres-Teran MM, Greentree DH, Varghese MM, Cadnum JL, Pavis RL, Saade EA, et...
2024-12-1946 minInfection Control MattersIn-room air purification to prevent respiratory infection in aged care - Does it help?In this episode of ICMs we talk to the authors of a world first multi-centre double blind cross-over randomised control trial, which explored the effect of in-room air purification on acute respiratory tract infections. The rationale and pragmatics of undertaking such a trial are explored, as well as interpretation of the findings.
The lead researcher, Bismi Thottiyil Sultanmuhammed Abdul, a PhD student at the University of Newcastle is joined by some of her supervisors Professors Jenny Sim and Brett Mitchell to explain this study.
The paper can be accessed here: https://jam...
2024-12-0432 minInfection Control MattersCan sensors and AI improve cleaning and patient safety?In this episode, recorded at the 2024 Infection Prevention Society Conference in Birmingham (UK) Brett and Martin talk to Conor McGinn, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and CEO of Akara AI, a robotics company spin-off from Trinity. We talk about a presentation that Conor gave, demonstrating how infrared sensors analysed by AI can provode feedback on techniques in the operating room and how they could improve cleaning standards in hospitals.
A link to the video we discussed is here https://youtu.be/CPCFuXyQarY?si=xh1RjXAaKeKY708a
...
2024-10-0913 minInfection Control MattersThe CLEEN study: Background and discussion with the authorsOur guest host, Dr Sally Havers this week talks to some of authors from ClEaning and Enhancd DisinfectioN (CLEEN) study (including some regular voices..). The study was recently published in the Lancet Infectious Disease (link below).
The CLEEN study is a world first RCT that explores the impact of cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment on HAIs. The study reports significant reductions in HAIs associated with increased cleaning and disinfection of shared equipment.
In this chat, the background to the study is discussed, as well as some implementation and practical co...
2024-09-0445 minInfection Control MattersRemoving contact precautions - what trial do we need?In this episode, Brett and Martin discuss a recent paper from Sarah Browning and colleagues that describes how an RCT on the ending of aspects of contact precautions (gloves and aprons) for MRSA and VRE could be conducted. The paper can be found here:
https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(24)00243-X/abstract
Our other podcasts on contact precautions, gloves and aprons can be found here:
https://infectioncontrolmatters.podbean.com/e/have-gloves-had-their-day/
https://infectioncontrolmatters.podbean.com/e/reflecting-on-a-contact-precautions-talk-at-eccmid-with-dr-gonzalo-bearman/
https://infectioncontrolmatters.podbean.com/e/25-years-of-contact-precautions-but-benefit-or-harm-and-what-is-the-evidence-with-prof-jennie-wilson/
...
2024-08-2925 minInfection Control MattersHealthcare Cleaning - a visit to Interclean that's an eye-openerIn this episode, Brett and Martin report on a visit to the massive Interclean Expo held biannually in Amsterdam and the Healthcare Hygiene meeting. We report on the staggering range of equipment available and the fact that IPC often has little say in this especially if there are potential risks, referring to a previous podcast https://infectioncontrolmatters.podbean.com/e/investigating-a-unique-cpeoutbreak-a-possible-new-place-to-look/
Click here for a video of one hall at Interclean (of 12).
2024-07-1015 minInfection Control MattersPosters from ESCMID Global 2024 - Part 1In this episode Brett, Phil and Martin tour the posters at ESCMID Global 2024 and we discuss some of them with the authors. A link to images of the posters can be found below.
Here are the posters we discuss
AMR Surveillance in waste water and clinical isolates from a tertiary hospital: Preliminary results
Deciphering the temporal short-term dynamics of Acinetobacter baumanii: Impact of colonisation pressure in infection in an endemic Indian intensive care unit (Manasa Tantry discussion)
Post-antibiotic risk for recurrent lower respiratory tract infection during prolonged hospitalisation
Transmission of MDRO during physical and occupational therapy...
2024-05-2927 minInfection Control MattersReflections on Day 3 at ESCMID Global 2024It was day 3 at ESCMID Global 2024 and Phil, Brett and Martin mull over the day. Amongst the items we discuss are:
What does endogenous really mean?
AI in the IPC space - friend or foe?
Fungal outbreaks - epidemiological challenges and tracing the source
Automated bloodstream infection surveillance
The Euro PPS survey results - data in action (or inaction)
Subsequent to the podcast recording the ECDC PPS results have been published and can be found here:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/healthcare-associated--infections-antimicrobial-use-point-prevalence-survey-2016-2017.pdf
2024-05-1522 minInfection Control MattersReflections on day 2 of ESCMID Global 2024In this episode, Phil, Brett and Martin dicuss more sessions from ESCMID Global (Barcelona, 2024). We talk about sessions on cleaning the occupied bed space, SSI prevention and the difficulty of designing and executing good studies in IPC. We were particularly interested in papers from Italy on the use of probiotics in IPC and some papers from Prof Cassini's group are highlighted below.
Calabro GE, Caselli E, Rognoni C, Laurenti P, Moscato U, ML DIP, et al. [Health Technology Assessment of the introduction of the Probiotic Cleaning Hygiene System (PCHS) in the Italian healthcare setting: update]. J Prev Med...
2024-05-0922 minInfection Control MattersDiscussing the new WHO infectious respiratory particles paper at ECCMID (With Prof Cath Noakes)In this episode, Brett, Martin and Phil mull over the newly published WHO discussion document on respiratory particles and Martin catches up with Prof Cath Noakes from the School of Engineering in Leeds, UK to get her take on it.
You can download the document we are discussing here
https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/global-technical-consultation-report-on-proposed-terminology-for-pathogens-that-transmit-through-the-air
2024-05-0221 minInfection Control MattersECCMID 2024 - The year in infection controlIn this podcast, Brett and Martin reflect on the "Infection Control Papers of the Year" presented at ECCMID (AKA ESCMID Global) 2024.
Here are a selection of some of the papers mentioned:
Decolonization in Nursing Homes to Prevent Infection and Hospitalization https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37815935/
Reducing Hospitalizations and Multidrug-Resistant Organisms vi a Regional Decolonization in Hospitals and Nursing Homes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38557703/
Prevention of non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia in Switzerland: a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36893785/
Skin Antisepsis before Surgical Fixation...
2024-04-2913 minInfection Control MattersReflections on the first morning at ECCMID 2024In our first episode from ECCMID Global 2024, Martin and Brett reflect on the session on design of the healthcare environment sessions from Profs Hilary Humphries and Cath Noakes and a flash poster session featuring VRE Reservoirs in the environment and a tremendous piece of Burkolderia sleuthing from the UKHSA
2024-04-2712 minInfection Control MattersWhat do C. difficile and HAP have in common - toilet plume??In this episode, after an interesting discovery when searching Youtube, Brett and Martin mull over whether toilet plume is a risk factor for hospital-acquired pneumonia and C. difficile infections. The papers we discuss are listed below.
Goforth MP, Boone SA, Clark J, Valenzuela PB, McKinney J, Ijaz MK, et al. Impacts of lid closure during toilet flushing and of toilet bowl cleaning on viral contamination of surfaces in United States restrooms. Am J Infect Control 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2023.11.020
Best EL, Sandoe JA, Wilcox MH. Potential for aerosolization of Clostridium difficile after flushing toilets: the...
2024-02-2114 minInfection Control MattersThe 2023 End of Year/Christmas SpecialIn our usual Christmas episode, Brett, Phil and Martin choose our papers and podcasts of 2023. Also this time, Martin set the three of us a challenge: to find an interesting IPC-related paper from the years of our birth (more challenging for some than others..). Martin also reveals the No 1 single in our respective countries on the day of our birth. For Martin, a near miss. For Phil, a very apt song and for Brett... well, his karaoke debut cannot be far off.. Happy holidays everyone!
Martin's 1955 paper: Lowbury, E. J. (1955). "Cross-infection of wounds with antibiotic-resistant o...
2023-12-2148 minInfection Control MattersIf you could have anything in IPC, what would you want?In this week's episode Phil and Brett mull over their wishlists for what they would want in a perfect IPC world. They turn out to be a pretty undemanding pair.. not. However they both see a future in which their wishes could become true. Unsurprisingly AI and automated surveillance loom large in their thoughts.
2023-12-1321 minInfection Control MattersWould you be admitted to a room where a previous person was infected?In this episode, Brett and Martin discuss a paper they were recently involved with - a systematic review and meta-analysis on prior room occupancy and the risk to the next person. This paper has been recently published in Infection, Disease and Health.
Findings provide some evidence to help inform a risk management approach when determining patient room allocation. The risk of pathogen acquisition appears to remain high, supporting the need for continued investment in this area.
Here is a link to the paper.
In our discussion, we also mentioned a paper about nurses...
2023-11-2913 minInfection Control MattersIce machines - a chilling thought?In this episode, Brett talks to Martin about a recent paper on the potential pitfalls of ice machines and following manufactures' instructions.
The paper we discuss is called "How clean is your ice machine?"
This paper was published in the journal of hospital infection: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195670123002700
2023-11-0116 minInfection Control MattersA CLEEN study chat and a rude interruption!In this podcast, we talk about the CLEEN and I-CLEEN studies. These are a RCT and quasi-experimental genomics study aiming to determine the effect of additional cleaning of shared medical equipment of the frequency of healthcare associated infections. We also make phone call mid podcast...
A shout out to all the team involved in this project, including being wonderfully coordinated by Dr Kate Browne and with great support from Georgia Matterson. Full details on the website below.
Link to study website: https://cleenstudy.com/
Link to study protocol: https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s1...
2023-07-1222 minInfection Control MattersImplementation of HAP Prevention - not what you do but the way that you do itIn this episode, we discuss a paper in the Lancet Infectious Disease about preventing non-ventilator associate pneumonia including the determinants of implementation
success. Brett and Martin chat with Dr Aline Wolfensberger and Professor Hugo Sax, authors of this paper about this important work.
Link to paper: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(22)00812-X/fulltext
Dr Aline Wolfensberger is a medical doctor, certified in Internal Medicine and in Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology. She works at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology of the University Hospital Zurich with P...
2023-06-1437 minInfection Control MattersHave gloves and gowns had their day?Brett Mitchell talks to Dr Sarah Browning and Professor Josh Davis about a recent paper in Infection, Disease and Health - "Have gloves and gowns had their day?" The evidence for gloves and gowns is discussed, as well as results from a recent survey into their use in Australia and New Zealand.
Sarah is an infectious disease physician and Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the Hunter New England (HNE) Health District in NSW, Australia. Josh is infectious disease physician and a clinical trialist, also based at HNE and the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
2023-05-3120 minInfection Control MattersThe 100thThis is the 100th episode of Infection Control Matters and includes a special announcement. A big thanks to our 110+ guests so far. In this podcast, Martin, Brett and Phil talk about what we've not covered, some stats and what is to come next.
Check out out new website: https://infectioncontrolmatters.com/
2023-04-1434 minInfection Control MattersC. difficile - a constant challenge to stay stillIn this episode Brett and Martin talk to Mairéad Skally and Prof Fidelma Fitzpatrick about their efforts to minimise Clostridioides difficile infections in the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. Mairéad is a Surveillance Scientist and Fidelma is a Consultant Microbiologist and also Head of Department of Clinical Microbiology at the Royal College of Surgeons (Ireland). We discuss 10 years of surveillance in the Beaumont and analysis of a rich pool of data that has helped them achieve a status quo.
The paper we discuss is here:
Skally M, Bennett K, Burns K, Bre...
2023-03-2829 minInfection Control MattersThe Sink Splash Zone - danger lies within?In this week's episode, Brett and Martin talk to Dr Mark Garvey, Consultant Clinical Scientist at University Hospitals Birmingham in the UK. We discuss a new paper from the UHB team which looks at the practical aspects of contamination within the splash radius of a clinical hand hygiene sink in a critical care area. The range of high risk equipment within the zone is quite interesting! Papers mentioned are as below.
1. Garvey MI, Williams N, Gardiner A, Ruston C, Wilkinson M, Kiernan M, et al. The sink splash zone. J Hosp Infect. https://doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2023.01.020 PubMed P...
2023-03-1518 minInfection Control MattersIntermittent or indwelling catheter in reducing CAUTI?In this episode, Brett talks to Associate Professor Matthew Davis about his clinical experience and recent systematic review, exploring the topic of whether indwelling vs intermittent catheterisation increases the risk of UTI. Matt is an Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School in Houston and has a strong clinician background in caring for people with Spinal Cord Injury.
Here are the papers we refer to in the podcast:
DAVIS, M., JETHANI, L., ROBBINS, E. & KANER, M. 2023. Is It Really the Foley? A Systematic Review of Bladder Management and Infection Risk. T...
2023-02-2818 minInfection Control MattersThe 2022 Christmas SpecialIn the final podcast of the year, we reflect on some lighthearted moments from 2022 and share our thoughts on a few favourite papers, reflections and podcasts. Being the Christmas special, it isn't too serious.. See you in 2023!
Brett's highlighted papers:
1. Peters A, et al. Impact of environmental hygiene interventions on healthcare-associated infections and patient colonization: a systematic review. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2022;11(1):38. https://doi:10.1186/s13756-022-01075-1
2. Dancer SJ, et al. One size does NOT fit all: why infection prevention is difficult to randomise or control. Journal of Hospital Infection. 2022. https://doi:10.1016/j...
2022-12-2140 minInfection Control MattersDeveloping an optimal infection prevention service with Dr Emma BurnettIn this week's episode, Brett and Martin talk to Dr Emma Burnett, Head of Campus, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Ajman, UAE. We discuss a recent collaborative that has resulted in two papers that examine the development of a conceptual framework that underpins the formation of an optimal infection prevention service. The papers that we discuss are listed below.
1. Robinson J, et al. Designing an optimal infection prevention service: Part 2. Journal of Infection Prevention. 2022. https://doi:10.1177/17571774221127573
2. Burnett E, et al. Designing an optimal infection prevention service: Part 1. Journal of Infection Prevention. 2022. https://doi:10.1177/17571774221127695
3. Curran ET...
2022-12-1540 minInfection Control MattersPatients’ prespectives of Healthcare Infections with Prof Maria NorthcoteIn this week's episode Martin talks to Brett and Professor Maria Northcote about a recent paper on the expeciences of healthcare-associated infection on the lives of patients. The importance of communication is one of the avenues that we go down.
1. Mitchell BG, et al. Patients' perspectives of healthcare-associated infection: 'you don't know what impacts it will have on your life'. J Hosp Infect. 2022;126:93-102. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2022.04.014 https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(22)00128-1/fulltext
2022-12-0821 minInfection Control MattersMulling over priorities, RCTs at the ACIPC ConferenceIn this week's episode, Brett, Phil and Martin have a catch-up at the ACIPC conference in Sydney following Brett's session in which the audience were invited to select their priorities for action over the next year. Would the HCAIS that present the biggest burden (HAP and CAUTI) figure highly?
2022-12-0112 minInfection Control MattersIPC Challenges in aged care and priorities in acute care discussion recorded live at the ACIPC ConferenceIn this episode, recorded live on stage in front of an audience at the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) Conference being held in Sydney. Brett, Phil and Martin talk to Sally HAvers and Belinda Henderson about the challenges facing IPC workers in aged care in Australia and future priorities for IPC going forward in acute care.
2022-11-1524 minInfection Control MattersFrom Films to Biofilms with Annette Jeanes and Jean-Yves Maillard from the IPS ConferenceIn another discussion recorded at the Infection Prevention Society Conference in Bournemouth (UK), Martin and Brett chatted to Dr Annette Jeanes and Prof Jean-Yves Maillard. Annette formerly was the Director of IPC at University College London Hospital NHS Trust, and now works independently. We discuss her time working in the film industry during COVID, and how the varied skillset of an IP practitioner is transferable into what you might think of a completely alien setting. Following that discussion, we discuss the topic of environmental dry surface biofilms with Prof Jean-Yves Maillard from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences...
2022-11-0933 minInfection Control MattersSpecial from the IPS Conference - reducing C. difficile by better mouthcare and a general chatIn this first episode recorded at the Infection Prevention Society Conference (Bournemouth, UK) we talk to Dr Holly Slyne about how the Mouth Care Matters programme resulted in a reduction in C. difficile infections by way of reducing healthcare-associated pneumonias and antibiotic use. Holly has kindly shared some resources, please see links below.
Following that, Brett, Phil and Martin have a chat about the importance of face-to-face meetings and our conference highlights so far.
Health Education England Mouth Care Matters website: http://mouthcarematters.hee.nhs.uk/
Mouthcare matters poster co...
2022-10-2722 minInfection Control MattersTransmission paradigms - the view from Engineers and Physicists with Profs Cath Noakes and Lidia MorawskaIn this episode, Martin and Brett get views on contact/droplet/airborne transmission from an Engineer (Prof Cath Noakes) and a Physicist (Prof Lidia Morawska).
Prof Catherine Noakes OBE is Professor of Environmental Engineering for Building at the University of Leeds. She is a chartered mechanical engineer, with a background in fluid dynamics. Her teaching and research expertise is in building physics and environmental engineering and leading research into ventilation, indoor air quality and infection control in the built environment. Her internationally recognised group carry out experimental and modelling based studies, in particular to explore the transport...
2022-10-1928 minInfection Control MattersNew contact, droplet, airborne transmission paradigms for IPC sum-upIn this podcast, Phil, Martin and Brett try to summarise the key messages they heard from recent guests discussing contact, droplet and airbourne transmission.
What were the key points and similarities? Find out in this podcast.
2022-10-1326 minInfection Control MattersNew paradigms for IPC - Introduction (Contact, droplet, airborne) plus guests Kirsty Buising and Kathy DempseyIn this podcast, Brett, Phil and Martin discuss the current IPC paradigms of contact, droplet and airborne. Over the course of the next 3 podcasts, we will briefly talk to a range of people from across the world on their view on this topic. In this podcast, we introduce the topic and hear from our first two guests.
The purpose of this podcast is to hear a range of views, with the goal of moving this topic forward.
In this kick-off episode we also talk to
Kirsty Buising (Melbourne, Australia)
Kathy Dempsey (Sydney, Australia)
2022-10-0621 minInfection Control MattersThe impact of TB on acute IPC Team workloadIn this week's episode, Brett and Martin are joined by Professor Hilary Humphreys of the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. They discuss a recent paper that quantifies the impact of TB work on an acute hospital IPC team workload
2022-09-2117 minInfection Control MattersPublic reporting of infection - perspectives of hospital leaders and cliniciansIn this week's podcast, Brett and Phil discuss an article just published in the American Journal of Infection Control titled "Concerns and frustrations about the public reporting of device-related healthcare-associated infections: Perspectives of hospital leaders and staff".
The link to the article is here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35948123/
Other papers mentioned in this podcast:
Mary Dixon Woods study: What Counts? An Ethnographic Study of Infection Data Reported to a Patient Safety Program. Dixon-Woods, M. Leslie, J. Bion and C. Tarrant Milbank Quarterly 2012 Vol. 90 Issue 3 Pages 548-91
Phil Russo study...
2022-09-1417 minInfection Control MattersEnvironmental sampling - do we know what we are doing?In this week's episode Brett and Martin discuss a recent paper from the ESGNI (ESCMID Study Group for Nosocomial Infections) that looks at a survey of environmental sampling practrices in Europe. Are we more confident on our abilities than we should be? As ever, more questions and answers with this one. We also highlight a very useful paper published in JHI a couple of years aso (See below)
ESGNI Link - https://www.escmid.org/research_projects/study_groups/study_groups_g_n/nosocomial_infections/
1. van der Schoor AS, et al. Environmental sampling pr...
2022-09-0718 minInfection Control MattersYouTube, Monkeypox and infection prevention and controlIn this weeks podcast, Brett and Phil discuss an article titled "YouTube and 2022 Monkeypox outbreak: opportunities for awareness and infection control". We discuss the opportunities and challenges of YouTube and social media with regards to infection prevention and control communication and information.
Link to the article:
Ortiz-Martinez Y, et al. YouTube and 2022 Monkeypox outbreak: opportunities for awareness and infection control. J Hosp Infect. 2022. https://doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2022.07.00
2022-08-2410 minInfection Control MattersHidden reservoirs contribute to plasmid-mediated transmission with Dr Kalisvar MarimuthuIn this week's episode, Brett and Martin talk to Adjunct Assistant Prof Dr Kalisvar Marimuthu, who is currently a senior consultant in Infectious Diseases at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. We discuss his recent paper that notes that over 50% of transmissions occurring in healthcare result from plasmid and not colonal spread. Traditional IPC interventions seem to work for clonal transmission, however new thinking is required to tackle the problems of plasmids.
Papers we discuss are:
1. Marimuthu K, Venkatachalam I, Koh V et al. Whole genome sequencing reveals hidden...
2022-07-2727 minInfection Control MattersGlove or no glove - with Dr Jon OtterIn this week's episode, Brett and Martin caught up with Jon Otter to discuss the 'Glove or no glove' campaign currently being implemented at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London UK. Jon has recently blogged about this (https://reflectionsipc.com/2022/05/04/we-need-to-talk-about-gloves/), a blog always worth following if you like to read Jon's thoughts and musings on current issues in IPC.
2022-07-2017 minInfection Control MattersTurning prevalence into incidence to determine the burden of healthcare associated infectionsIn this week's episode, Martin Kiernan talks to Brett Mitchell about his recent paper that estimates the burden of HCAI from a prevalence study.
Papers discussed are:
Lydeamore MJ, Mitchell BG, Bucknall T, Cheng AC, Russo PL, Stewardson AJ Burden of five healthcare associated infections in Australia. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2022; 11: 69. https://aricjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13756-022-01109-8
Russo PL, Stewardson AJ, Cheng AC, Bucknall T, Mitchell BG The prevalence of healthcare associated infections among adult inpatients at nineteen large Australian acute-care public hospitals: a point prevalence survey. Antimicrob Resist Infect...
2022-07-1331 minInfection Control MattersAre we experts? Phil, Brett and Martin mull this overThis week's podcast is a live chat recorded in Melbourne in June and features Phil Russo, Brett Mitchell and Martin Kiernan, who discuss whether we think that we are IPC experts (or not). Have a listen and make your own mind up!
2022-07-0518 minInfection Control MattersI-DECIDED toolIn this podcast, Brett talks to Dr Gillian Ray-Barruel from the University of Queensland and Griffith University. We talk about Gillian's development of the I-DECIDED tool - decision tool for assessment and management of all invasive devices in the hospital setting.
In the podcast, Gillian mentioned she was happy to be contacted.
The link to the paper can be found here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35439078/
2022-06-1518 minInfection Control MattersUsing whole genome sequencing as part of an infection control serviceIn this podcast, Martin and Brett talk to Trish Hurst, Belinda Henderson and Dr Patrick Harris about how WGS is being used in two major Australian hospitals. We here about how it started, how is works now and the potential of WGS in real-time for infection control services.
The discussion is centred around this pre-print publication: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.05.02.22273921v1 "Clinical implementation of routine whole-genome sequencing for hospital infection control of multi-drug resistant pathogens"
2022-06-0839 minInfection Control MattersRespiratory protection preparedness in critical care healthcare workers & facial hairIn this podcast, Brett Mitchell talks to Professor Daryl Williams about respirators and facial hair. So much to learn, so much more to know. The talk was based on a paper published in Infection Disease and Health.
The article link: https://www.idhjournal.com.au/article/S2468-0451(22)00003-7/fulltext
Prof Daryl Williams is the Director of the Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management. His clinical and research interests include neuro-anaesthesia, resuscitation, trauma medicine and advanced airway management.
2022-05-2523 minInfection Control MattersEnvironmental cleaning & the role of patient service assistantsIn this podcast, Brett Mitchell talks to A/Professor Stéphane Bouchoucha about a recent article exploring the role of patient service assistants in environmental cleaning. The article is published in Infection Disease and Health. https://www.idhjournal.com.au/article/S2468-0451(22)00006-2/fulltext
Dr Stéphane Bouchoucha is an Associate Professor and Associate Head of School (International) in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Deakin University. He is also a researcher based in Deakin’s Institute for Health Transformation and the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control President-Elect.
2022-05-1116 minInfection Control MattersVaccine hesitancy and the role of social scientists in infection prevention with A/Professor Holly SealeIn this episode Brett Mitchell talks to Associate Professor Holly Seale about the role of social scientists, vaccine hesitancy, booster vaccines and the potential implications for the next influenza season. Holly is an infectious disease social scientist at the School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales in Australia. She has over 15 years of experience in undertaking social science research focused on improving confidence and engagement of different at-risk groups with immunisation and other prevention strategies.
2022-03-2319 minInfection Control MattersEnvironmental decontamination reduces healthcare infections - a systematic review with Alexandra PetersIn this week's episode, Martin Kiernan talks to Alexandra Peters, who works in Prof. Didier Pittet's group at the University Hospitals of Geneva and with a WHO Collaborating Centre. We discuss a new systematic review that demonstrates that there is significant evidence that environmental decontamination reduces healthcare-associated infections and colonisations and also progress on a new Healthcare Environmentsl Hygiene (HEH) self-assessment tool, the results of which will shortly be published.
Papers that we discuss are:
Peters, A., Schmid, M.N., Parneix, P. et al. Impact of environmental hygiene interventions on healthcare-associated infections and patient colonization...
2022-03-1725 minInfection Control MattersInfection Prevention Team Staffing levels - Less (staff) is more (infections)?In this week's episode, Brett Mitchell and Martin Kiernan use a recent paper published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology to start a discussion about an relationship between IPC Team staffiing levels and levels of healthcare-associated infections. How are staffing levels set and is it just a number or is there more to it? The papers that we discuss are listed below.
1. Clifford RJ, Newhart D, Laguio-Vila MR, Gutowski JL, Bronstein MZ, Lesho EP. Infection preventionist staffing levels and rates of 10 types of healthcare-associated infections: A 9-year ambidirectional observation. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022:1-6. doi:10.1017/ice.2021.507
2022-03-0926 minInfection Control MattersHand drying - a lot of hot air?In this episode, Brett Mitchell and Martin Kiernan discuss methods of drying hands after hand hygiene has been performed, with a focus on hand dryers versus paper towel. Personal details about Martin's habits are disclosed as we mull this over and present some papers.
Papers presented include:
1. Suen, L. K., Lung, V. Y., Boost, M. V., Au-Yeung, C. H., & Siu, G. K. (2019). Microbiological evaluation of different hand drying methods for removing bacteria from washed hands. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-7. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-50239-4
2. Reynolds, K. A., Sexton, J. D., N...
2022-02-2324 minInfection Control MattersAdenosine triphosphate (ATP) - uses and considerations with Adjunct A/Professor Greg WhiteleyIn this podcast, Brett talks to Adjunct A/Professor Greg Whiteley about adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We chat about its use in healthcare as a way to evaluate environmental cleanliness.
Greg is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, and is also an adjunct Fellow in the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University. Greg is also the Executive Chairman of Whiteley Corporation, a manufacturer of Therapeutic Goods based in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. His particular expertise is in the measurement of cleanliness, particularly b...
2022-02-0225 minInfection Control MattersThe 2021 Christmas Special!In this largely unedited Christmas special podcast, Martin, Phil and Brett reflect on podcasts undertaken in 2021 and the year that was. This podcast is a little longer as we "chinwag" about a range of different topics and issues and have a laugh along the way. We hope you enjoy.
2021-12-1555 minInfection Control MattersVentilation and pathogen transmission with Simon WittsIn this podcast, Phil and Brett talk to Simon Witts on a wide ranging topics related to ventilation and also touch on air scrubbers (purifiers). Simon is Director of Engineering at VA Science, with extensive experience in hospital and building ventilation design. We cover topics such as air changes, what makes a good ventilation system and hotel quarantine. We also cover practical things like where best to sit on a bus to reduce the risk of infection.
2021-12-0131 minInfection Control MattersAustralia‘s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer - Alison McMillan on leadership and negotiationIn this podcast, Phil and Brett talk to Adjunct Professor Alison McMillan on the topics of leadership and negotiation. Alison is Australia's Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer. We hear first hand experiences related to COVID and tips for building relationships and nursing leadership.
Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan PSM was appointed as Australia's Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in November 2019. In June 2021 Alison was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to driving the Government’s national health response priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to infection prevention measures.
2021-11-2424 minInfection Control MattersWearable proximity devices and contact tracing with Steph CurtisIn the last ACIPC conference special podcast, Brett and Phil talk to Stephanie Curtis about wearable proximity devices for nurses and doctors - and their use for contact tracing. We also talk about other potential uses. Stephanie is an epidemiologist at the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre. She worked on the COVID-19 response in Victoria over 2020-2021 and recently completed Australia's field epidemiology training program, the MAE, based at Alfred Health and Burnet Institute.
Stephanie's presented findings from pilot work of proximity trackers at the ACIPC conference. The paper for this study is pu...
2021-11-1819 minInfection Control MattersThe science of pathogen transmission via the air with Prof Lidia Morawska - ACIPC conference specialIn this third special edition from the 2021 ACIPC Conference, Brett and Martin talk to Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska about the science of air. Lidia was named in Times magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for helping highlight the airborne spread of COVID-19. Topics includes in this podcast include the science of aerosolisation from the respiratory tract, activities or source that dictate particle size and terminology around droplet and airbourne transmission.
About Lidia:
Professor Lidia Morawska is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, at the Queensland U...
2021-11-1238 minInfection Control MattersUse of video reflexive ethnography in IPC, clinical care and nurse education - an ACIPC 2021 special with Dr Mary Wyer and Dr Su-Yin HorIn this second special edition from the 2021 ACIPC Conference, Brett Mitchell and Martin Kiernan talk to Drs Mary Wyer and Su-yin Hor. Mary and Su-Yin's work on Video Reflexive Ethnography (VRE - not that one) is world-reknowned with many publications. In this discussion they outline how the use of video to examine and develop practice has helped in biopreparedness as well as its uses in other areas of infection prevention and control and nurse education.
Papers referred to in this podcast:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32089464/
Iedema, R., Carroll, K., Collier, A., Hor, S. Y., M...
2021-11-1031 minInfection Control MattersUrinary catheter awareness - an ACIPC Conference special with Dr Gillian Ray-BarruelIn this special ACIPC conference episode, Brett Mitchell and Martin Kiernan talk to Dr Gillian-Ray-Barruel, from Griffith University School of Nursing and Midwifery and QEII Jubilee Hospital, Brisbane.
Gillian is presenting at the 2021 virtual ACIPC Conference on urinary catheter awareness. Gillian has an long standing interest in medical device placement, and this paper focuses on patient and staff awareness of the need for the catheter. Naturally we digress into other areas such as consent and nurse advocacy!
Papers that we refer to in this session:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11042237/
2021-11-0926 minInfection Control MattersTransmission of Norovirus to other room occupants with Dr Carl-Johan FrankelIn this episode, Prof Brett Mitchell talks to Dr Carl-Johan Frankel from the Department of Infection Control, Lund University, Sweden about his recent paper examining the risk of transmission of Norovirus to roomates. Does norovirus transmit readily to other occupants? The findings may well surprise you! The paper is here: https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(21)00313-3/fulltext
Other papers referred to:
Risk of transmission to subsequent room occupants: https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(15)00312-6/fulltext
Prolonged environmental survival of small round structured viruses: https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/a...
2021-10-0719 minInfection Control MattersAre guidelines letting us down? With Evonne Curran and Brett Mitchell from the IPS Conference 2021In this episode from the IPS conference, Prof Brett Mitchell is joined by Dr Evonne Curran who has worked in the field of infection prevention and control for a number of years, was a Nurse Consultant with Health Protection Scotland and is now an independent consultant. Together they discuss the relevance of guidelines to clinical practice and whether the development process is really producing guidance that is useful in the field of nfection prevention. In this podcast these papers are referred to:
Smith GC, Pell JP Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma related to gravitational...
2021-09-2817 minInfection Control MattersCleaning up the air using air cleaners and purifiers with Jason MontyIn this episode Brett and Phil discuss improving the quality of air to reduce the risk of infection from airborne pathogens with Professor Jason Monty. We discuss air cleaner and purifiers, their role, what to consider when purchasing and practical considerations for their use.
Prof Monty is Head of Department and a Professor with the Fluid Mechanics Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Melbourne. Jason is an expert in experimental fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics and is experienced with field measurements of atmospheric turbulence. In recent times, Jason has worked with clinicians in...
2021-09-0723 minInfection Control MattersCAUTI - decades of little progress?In this episode Brett Mitchell and Martin Kiernan chew the fat over the fact that, despite knowing that it makes up a great proportion of HCAIs globally, progress can be measured in a series of small victories without actually winning the war. We discuss a new systematic review that suggests benefit from meatal cleansing with antiseptics (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8190044/pdf/bmjopen-2020-046817.pdf) as well as barriers to progress in this important issue https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(21)00149-3/fulltext
We will return to this topic again!
2021-09-0129 minInfection Control MattersCompassion and Infection Prevention - Not mutually exclusive!In this week's episode Brett MItchell and Martin Kiernan talk to Julie Storr. Julie is a consultant to the World Health Organisation who originally started her infection prevention career in Oxford in the UK. We hear how Julie was motivated by patient stories of isolation and virtual imprisonment in elderly care settings to try and bring compassion into play, supported by sound infection prevention principles. Here are links to some of the outputs from Julie's work to date.
The open letter in Nursing Times: Infection prevention and control should never be at the expense of compassionate care https...
2021-08-1835 minInfection Control MattersAssessing preventability of Staph aureus bacteraemia with Daniela KaranfilovskaIn this week's episode, Prof Brett Mitchell talks to Daniela Karanfilovska. Daniela is an infection prevention nurse at Alfred Health in Melbourne. She led a paper published recently in the Journal of Hospital Infection in which a Delphi method was used to create an assessment tool that can be used to assess the preventability of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The tools also outlines potential action. The paper can be found here https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(21)00223-1/fulltext.
The Delphi technique uses a repeated survey approach where the opinions of experts can...
2021-08-0321 minInfection Control MattersSomething in the air? With Dr Kirsty BuisingThis week, Brett Mitchell and Martin Kiernan are joined by Dr Kirsty Buising, infectious diseases physician at the Royal Melbourne Hospital who is also Deputy Director of the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship and chief investigator for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded Centre for Research Excellence in Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Doherty Institute at Melbourne University. Together they discuss a paper just published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology in which small, domestic-level HEPA filtration devices were used to rapidly remove glycerine-based aerosol, used as a surrogate for respiratory viruses, from rooms and corridors in...
2021-07-1426 minInfection Control MattersCelebrating 20 years of Teleclass Education with Paul WebberIn this episode, Martin Kiernan and Brett Mitchell talk to Paul Webber in the 20th year of the Webber Teleclass series that remains free for all in low-income countries.
Originally envisaged by his friend and mentor Dr Syed Sattar as being a short series for an Canadian audience, there have now been in excess of 750 editions with episode audiences sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands. The speaker faculty is a veritable 'Who's who' in the infection prevention world and the free online recordings library is a great resource and can be found here https://webbertraining.com...
2021-06-3027 minInfection Control MattersPrevention of healthcare associated pneumonia (HAP) (Part A) with Dr Victoria EwanIn this podcast, Martin and Brett talk healthcare associated pneumonia (HAP) with Dr Victoria Ewan. Vicky is consultant academic geriatrician at South Tees Hospitals (Middlesbrough, United Kingdom) who has undertaken ground breaking working around our understanding of HAP.
We talk about what HAP is, common causes and potential strategies to prevent. We plan on visiting this topic again at a latter date, hence this is "Part A".
Some papers we refer to in this podcast:
https://www.journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-4453(21)00275-9/fulltext
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28781029/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm...
2021-06-0928 minInfection Control MattersGaming, apps and Infection Control with Dr Robbert Bentvelsen and Ender HoltenIn this podcast, Brett Mitchell discusses a paper that provides an overview of available apps for HAI prevention, including functionality, quality and usefulness with two of the authors - Dr Robbert Bentvelsen (@rbentvelsen) and Ender Holten (@EnderHolt) from the Leiden University Medical Center (@LUMC_Leiden). The article "eHealth for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections: a scoping review" is published in the Journal of Hospital Infection.
Bentvelsen, R. G., Holten, E., Chavannes, N. H., & Veldkamp, K. E. (2021). eHealth for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections: a scoping review. Journal of Hospital Infection. (https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0195...
2021-06-0224 minInfection Control MattersUnintended consequences for infection prevention and control during COVID-19In this podcast, Phil and Brett discuss a paper from April 2021 published by Wee and colleagues, in the American Journal of Infection Control titled "Unintended consequences of infection prevention and control measures during COVID-19 pandemic"
Full reference: Wee, L. E. I., Conceicao, E. P., Tan, J. Y., Magesparan, K. D., Amin, I. B. M., Ismail, B. B. S., ... & Ling, M. L. (2021). Unintended consequences of infection prevention and control measures during COVID-19 pandemic. American Journal of Infection Control, 49(4), 469-477. Link to paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7610096/
2021-05-0522 minInfection Control MattersPractical elements of healthcare environmental cleaning - With Brett Mitchell and Martin KiernanIn this podcast, Brett and Martin discuss a paper from March 2021 published by Assadian and colleagues, in the Journal of Hospital Infection. "Practical recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in healthcare institutions: a narrative review" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33744383/.
We particularly liked the way that the paper is structured and that, although published in a focused scientific journal, the paper is accessible to all with an interest in hospital hygiene.
Assadian O, Harbarth S, Vos M, Knobloch JK, Asensio A, Widmer AF Practical recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in healthcare...
2021-04-1426 min
Passive Income Through Multifamily Real EstateEpisode #115: Deferred Sales Trusts with Brett SwartsAfter the 2008 crash, a lot of people either lost most or all of their money and one of the biggest reasons was they were held hostage to a 1031 exchange. Even today, the conventional 1031 strategy presents many downsides, a major one being that once you sell, you have a limited timeframe before which you have to rebuy. Enter Brett Swarts, today’s guest and founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, a firm that offers a solution to the 1031 called the deferred sales trust. The DST offers an exit strategy that helps business owners escape feeling hostage to capital gains tax as...
2020-07-2030 min
Mitchell Levy Presents AHA MomentsFinding Your Tribe with Thomas Gay & Brett LabitDid you know that having a tribe actually helps in growing your business? And according to Mitchell and Brett's special guest Tom Gay, counting the cost of staying where you are and understanding why you need to change is how to bring about “teachability” and how to continually be willing to change. Thomas "Tom" Gay is the co-founder at The Biz Dev Pro, a company focused on helping individuals in the marketplace understand the importance of and best ways to build a "thriving tribe" of other professionals who collectively create value, opportunities and results for each other. Chec...
2019-08-2942 min
Mitchell Levy Presents AHA MomentsWhy Customer Experience Matters with John Jantsch & Brett LabitSpecial guest, John Jantsch shares his thoughts with Mitchell Levy and co-host Brett Labit on how to bring value to clients. John believes that part of the teachable moment for business people is to be aware of how, where, and what customers are pulling and how they can be there to ask the right questions and really create happy moments. John Jantsch, the president at Duct Tape Marketing Consultant Network, is also an author, speaker, and marketing consultant who specializes in assisting small businesses. He is the author of Duct Tape Marketing, The Referral Engine, and The...
2019-08-2239 min
Mitchell Levy Presents AHA MomentsWhy It Pays to Be Open-minded in Business with Don Boyer & Brett LabitMitchell Levy, together with co-host Brett Labit had an amazing conversation with special guest Don Boyer, one of the founders at The Carnegie Principle Group, on the importance of being teachable and open-minded in order to become successful as an entrepreneur and a salesperson.Don Boyer is one of the founders of The Carnegie Principle Group. It is a mastermind group for entrepreneurs, business owners, speakers and authors. They have built a network of high caliber people who support each other and do business with one another. They focus on creating a higher level of vibration using...
2019-08-1543 min
Mitchell Levy Presents AHA MomentsDriving foot traffic to your physical stores with Brett Beveridge and Jeff ShavitzMitchell Levy and Jeff Shavitz talk about creative ways of driving foot traffic to physical stores with Brett Beveridge. They identify the threats and opportunities presented in the digital age and how to best leverage this as part of a unified strategy. Brett talks about the importance of building relationships with brand new customers and helping them to understand their purchase and derive maximum value from the outset as a way to promote future foot traffic. He also discusses intentional hiring practices, referral programs, delivering an excellent customer experience, running successful promotions, creating partnerships with staff members, and much...
2019-02-0840 min