Shows
ICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastSharps Safety Starts with Us: Why Infection Preventionists Must Lead the ChargeInfection prevention personnel are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change in sharps safety, but only if we recognize and act on our critical role. Sharps injuries are not only a personal threat to health care workers; they also represent a preventable infection risk, a systems failure, and a missed opportunity for proactive intervention.
In the interview, available in its entirety here, with Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, perioperative educational consultant for Periop Anew and supervisor of education for surgical services at WakeMed in Cary, North Carolina, she discusses the issues and the need for education about sharps safety. 2025-07-2826 min
ICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastAll About APIC’s New Guide Tackles All Catheter-Associated Bloodstream InfectionsAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology’s (APIC’s) latest guide marks an important evolution in infection prevention by expanding beyond the traditional focus on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSIs) to address all catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSIs). In this conversation with DJ Shannon, MPH, CIC, VA-BC, FAPIC, infection prevention manager and patient safety advocate for Community Health Network, a key contributor to the guide, Infection Control Today® (ICT®) explores why this broader approach matters, how it redefines patient safety priorities, and what infection preventionists (IPs) should take away as they work to reduce bacteremia risks across all vascular access...2025-07-1510 min
ICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastKeeping Classrooms Cleaner: Infection Preventionists Step into SchoolsAs seasonal viruses surge and recent outbreaks like measles highlight vulnerabilities, infection prevention experts are extending their reach into schools, recognizing that healthy classrooms are essential to healthy communities.2025-07-1013 min
ICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastClean Bite: Think Twice Before Closing Your Lips Around That Little Suction ThingDo you know not to wrap your lips around the suction tube the dentist puts in your mouth? You will when you finish this podcast.2025-05-1903 min
ICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastThe Rising Threat of Fungal Infections and the Urgent Need for New TreatmentsInfectious diseases have long been a major concern for global health. While much attention is given to bacterial and viral infections, fungal diseases remain an underappreciated and growing threat. With limited treatment options and rising resistance to existing antifungal drugs, the world is facing a silent crisis that could have devastating consequences. David Angulo, MD, an infectious disease specialist and the president and CEO of SCYNEXIS, sheds light on the urgent need for new antifungal treatments and the challenges in combating fungal resistance in this interview with Infection Control Today® (ICT®).
Understanding the Scope of Fungal Infections
2025-03-1146 min
ICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastFrom Shortages to Security: How Reusable Health Care Textiles Can Transform Infection PreventionThe Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) plays a vital role in supporting the health care industry and critical infrastructure by providing hygienically clean health care contact textiles (HCTs) and personal protective equipment (PPE). Representing a $50 billion industry with over 200,000 employees across 2,500 facilities, TRSA ensures that essential supplies, including isolation gowns, scrubs, bed linens, flame-resistant clothing, and safety items, are available to hospitals, first responders, laboratories, and food processing facilities. However, the US health care system relies heavily on disposable HCTs, leading to dangerous supply shortages during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, over 90% of HCTs used...2025-03-0705 minICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastThe Future of Reusable PPE in Healthcare: A Sustainable and Cost-Effective SolutionThe conversation around reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) is gaining traction, especially in the wake of the pandemic-induced shortages. Infection Control Today’s interview with Joe Ricci, CEO of Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA), and Diane Troxel, MSN, RN, the director of clinical education at Handcraft Linen Services, shed light on the benefits and challenges of shifting toward reusable health care textiles. The experts cover key findings from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine workshop on reusable personal protective equipment (PPE), addressing misconceptions about reusable linens, and current state policy issues.
The Case for Reusable PPE2025-03-0534 min
ICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastBeyond Hand Hygiene: The Five Critical Moments for Environmental Disinfection in Health CareInfection prevention has long focused on hand hygiene, but what about the surfaces patients and healthcare workers touch throughout the day? Jim Gauthier, MLT, CIC, alongside coauthors Carol Calabrese, RN, BS, CIC, and Peter Teska, MBA, introduced the concept of Targeted Moments of Environmental Disinfection (TMED)—a structured approach identifying 5 critical moments for cleaning high-touch surfaces in patient care areas, published in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.
In this interview, Gauthier discusses the importance of real-time disinfection, the hidden dangers of overlooked surfaces, and practical strategies to integrate TMED into daily health care practices, ultimately aim...2025-02-0638 min
ICTalk: Infection Control Today PodcastDeborah Birx, MD, Unveils Urgent Insights on Avian Flu: What Infection Preventionists Must KnowIn an exclusive interview with Infection Control Today, Dr. Deborah Birx, MD, shared crucial updates on the ongoing threat of avian influenza (H5N1) and its implications for public health. With the H5N1 strain spreading globally and showing concerning cross-species transmission, Dr. Birx stressed the importance of strong infection prevention strategies, including improved surveillance, strict biosecurity measures, and cross-sector collaboration. She also highlighted the risks of viral mutations, the potential for human-to-human transmission, and the urgency of preparing healthcare systems for emerging threats. Her insights provide infection preventionists with actionable recommendations to tackle the evolving challenges posed by avian...2025-01-1036 min