American Journal of Infection Control

Infection Preventionists (IPs) are responsible for selecting effective disinfectants to decrease the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) devices are commonly used for this purpose but there is a lack of an

In recent years, newer and resurfaced pathogens are presenting challenges for healthcare facilities worldwide. Traditional cleaning and disinfecting methods are not enough, but enhanced technologies can provide additional support to promote patient

Drying of the internal channels of endoscopes is an essential step of high-level disinfection that helps prevent the growth of water-borne pathogens or prepares the device for adequate sterilization with vaporized hydrogen peroxide or ethylene oxide

Evidence supports that environmental cleanliness plays a significant role in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Within surgical services, daily terminal cleaning is a frequent focus for the prevention of surgical site infections

Group A streptococci (GAS) infections frequently manifest as a mild illness in immunocompetent individuals; however, they can be life-threatening in elderly populations and/or residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). In July 2022, a rural LTCF

Urine cultures (UCX) are frequently sent for diagnostic work-up of fevers, even when little else suggests there is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Yet, UCXs are very easily contaminated, often misleading caregivers. In normal hosts, it is very

Studies have shown that hospital curtains serve as a reservoir for some of the most concerning pathogens in clinical settings, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Current disinfection approaches require daily, laborious

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a bacterium that colonizes the gut and is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea among healthcare settings. C. diff infection (CDI) is a clinical diagnosis with laboratory support; there is no laboratory

From March 2022 – October 2022, Infection Prevention (IP) investigated eight Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Citrobacter freundii cases identified at five facilities in a healthcare system to determine relatedness.

Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen associated with healthcare-associated outbreaks. It is often multidrug resistant and has high mortality and morbidity. Early detection and isolation of colonized patients is essential to prevent its spread