Infection Prevention Spotlight

Happy International Infection Prevention Week 2022!We are celebrating all the amazing contributors to the podcast over the last 5 years.Goodbyes are being said - This is  the last podcast hosted by Kara Mullane, RN, MSN, CIC.It would be great if an individual or company would like to take over Infection Prevention Spotlight Podcast. If you are interested, please contact Kara Mullane at kara@infectionprevention Spotlight.com.Heartfelt appreciation goes out to Dr. Mohamed Yassin who co-created the segment The Research Behind Infection Prevention. Dr. Yassin's extensive infectious disease and research expertise elevated the podcast and opened up the collaboration with top researchers in the field.Thank you to all the contributors to the podcast:Sue BarnesNeil MorrisDr. Tamás HaideggerThomas HeymannChristian John LillisDr. Susan HuangDr. Brett MitchellDr. Samir SabaDr. Leah BrownDr. Elizabeth BeamDr. Pat StoneDr. Elise MartinDr. Emily HuntBenton AllenMichelle NerandzicNancy RobinsonDr. Elaine LarsonRosie BartelChris BoydDr. Natalia BlancoDr. Jordan PecciaSebastian Schulz-StübnerDr. Sarah WheelerEmily RosenbergJacob HutchersonGrant MorganThank you Supporters:Jeanne BrandtNiall WallaceKevin NicolThank you to all the listeners. Your kind communications were always so appreciated. Wishing all of you the best. Please take care, and please remember to wash your hands!- Kara Mullane, RN, MSN, CIC

Does it seem like every few days there is a report of a new or old organism or disease poking its head up and staying “I'm here! Look at me!” I'm sure as an infection Preventionist or ID physician, it may seem that way to you. If you are in the cities and towns that are having these outbreaks it doesn't matter what your profession is, you are affected. The issue of MDROs, emerging diseases, and known diseases we hoped to have snuffed out with mass vaccinations are now front and center in all of our lives. They are no longer just for the hospitals they are on mass. Polio is back in North America. New York State has declared a state disaster emergency. What do we need to know?For polio and for most diseases we need to be vaccinated to be safe. There is no question of what the vaccine did for the eradication of polio. Vaccines work and save lives.Be safe and please remember, wash your hands.Podcasts referenced:Podcast episode 45 - “Infection Prevention Needs a New Normal” When I interview Grant Morgan, CEO of R-Zero as he discusses utilizing hospital technologies in schools, restaurants and work places. Podcast episode 43 “Cleaning for Health and Smart disinfection with epidemiologist Emily Rosenberg”  References:CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/polio/what-is-polio/faq/index.htmNew Your State  - https://www.governor.ny.gov/executive-order/no-21-declaring-disaster-state-new-yorkInteresting Polio Vaccine history:Mayo Clinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/history-disease-outbreaks-vaccine-timeline/polio  

While most of us were busy hoarding toilet paper or binge-watching Netflix, Grant Morgan was working on a plan to change the world. As co-founder and CEO of R-Zero, he's democratizing access to hospital-grade biosafety technologies, restoring trust in our common spaces and the organizations that operate them, and helping establish a new standard for public health in the COVID-19 era and beyond.We hear how R-Zero is utilizing hospital technology in our schools, restaurants, and work places. Grant's mission is for all of us to use this time in history to demand a new normal for infection prevention and personal safety in our daily lives.Connect with Grant Morgan.Find out more about R-Zero.Listen to all the Infection Prevention Spotlight Podcasts here!

Today I have the great pleasure to be speaking Clutch Recruitment Founder and CEO, Jacob Hutcherson.In this podcast, Jacob lays out today's HOT Infection Prevention Job Market. Want to know specifics about salaries across the United States of America, Jacob fills you in. Happy where you are right now, but wondering if you are underpaid?  Jacob walks you though what is happening right now and what you may want to think about in your current role and planning for your next step in the IP Career ladder.​Jacob can be reached at: jhutcherson@clutchrecruitment.comListen to all the podcast episodes at: Infection Prevention SpotlightSponsor: Infection Prevention Spotlight e-Learning Do you have a C.diff problem at your facility or are you an individual in need of CEs to satisfy your Infection Prevention Units? Our training is Fun, Interactive, and Comprehensive.  Find out more or take the training now!

Today's special guest is epidemiologist, Emily Rosenberg from Clorox Pro. She will be discussing Cleaning for Health!This show is for everyone! Topics covered are both in and out of healthcare settings. Connect with Emily Rosenberg: Emily.Rosenberg@clorox.com.Listen to all the podcasts: Infection Prevention Spotlight

Welcome to the Research Behind Infection Prevention where Dr. Mohamed Yassin asks researchers tough questions. Today we are talking to Dr. Sarah Wheeler who has developed and validated antibody assays for SARS-CoV-2! If you ever had any questions about antibody testing, she explains it all. Stay tuned!Listen to all the podcasts - Infection Prevention Spotlight

Today we have the pleasure to hear from Prof. Dr. Sebastian Schulz-Stübner as he discusses his study on the role of faucet's aerator on drinking water contamination.  We will also have a summary by Dr. Mohamed Yassin of the research from PharmD Alicia DeRosa-  "Antimicrobial susceptibility trends for urinary isolates in the veteran population. " Today’s podcast is all about reviewing what the organisms tell us!  Stay tuned!The full articles can be found in the May 2021 edition of AJIC.This episode is brought to you by the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) and Infection Prevention Spotlight. 

Today we have the pleasure to hear from Dr. Jordan Peccia as he discusses his study on the "Occurrence of Respiratory Viruses on School desks."  We will also have a summary by Dr. Mohamed Yassin of the research from Dr. Danielle Durant-  "Can Patient-Reported Room Cleanliness Measures Predict Hospital-Acquired C. difficile Infection?" Today’s podcast is all about environmental cleanliness or that lack thereof and how it can affect our health. Stay tuned!The full articles can be found in the April 2021 edition of AJIC.This episode is brought to you by the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) and Infection Prevention Spotlight. 

Dr. Natalia Blanco discusses the study from the University of Maryland conducted by her and her team and published in the March 2021 issue of AJIC: "Impact of a C. difficile infection (CDI) reduction bundle and its components on CDI diagnosis and prevention."This episode is brought to you by the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) and Infection Prevention Spotlight.

Today I have the great pleasure to be speaking with Mr. Chris Boyd. Chris is the General Manager for Building Water Health, NSF Health Sciences. We are going to be discussing Legionnaires’ disease and why we all should be concerned and interested about water safety and emergency planning during this current health crisis.If you run a healthcare facility or work in one, you won't want to miss this!Legionella Conference Event Page March 9-10, 2021Contact Chris Boyd: cboyd@nsf.org

Today we have a real treat for you. We have the great fortune to be speaking with Rosie Bartel, survivor of a massive MRSA SSI infection. Rosie shares her story and shows us how one person can help change the behaviors of healthcare professionals to keep other patients safe. You won’t want to miss this.Contact Rosie Bartel to buy her book - bartel1949@gmail.com To listen to all the podcasts: https://www.infectionpreventionspotlight.com/podcast

Join Dr. Mohamed Yassin and Kara Mullane as they interview Infection Prevention pioneer Dr. Elaine Larson. Listen in as she shares her personal journey over 50 years as a nurse and Infection Preventionist, the changes she's seen and what she sees ahead.This podcast is a collaboration between Infection Prevention Spotlight and the American Journal of Infection Control.American Journal of Infection ControlListen to all the podcasts - Infection Prevention Spotlight

Michelle Nerandzic and Nancy Robinson from the STERIS corporation discuss their research findings on moisture left behind in endoscopes after cleaning and sterilization. We discuss the resulting infection risk and other patient safety issues. Join us!Find out more - September 2020 Issue American Journal of Infection ControlListen to all the podcasts - Infection Prevention Spotlight

Interview with Sue Barnes, RN, CIC, FAPICToday we are discussing Mitigating the risk of Staphylococcus aureus healthcare associated infections. Patients with Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization - both sensitive and resistant strains (MSSA) and (MRSA) - are at dramatically higher risk of peripheral and central line bloodstream infections along with Surgical site infections. This is especially true in high-risk populations such as ICU patients. Sue talks strategies. Join Us!Podcasts Referenced:Interview with Sue Barnes Spotlighting: IP's Role in Antibiotic StewardshipDr. Susan Huang & The Research Behind Decolonization to Reduce Post-Discharge Infection Rates Among MRSA CarriersListen to all Infection Prevention Spotlight Podcasts!

Free Giveaway!​The first five respondents can receive a free sample pack of Copper Clean surface patches: Share this podcast on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or other) and connect with Benton and Dr. Hunt to let them know you shared it. Connect on their Facebook page or LinkedIn. In this episode we learn how one company is harnessing one of the oldest known antimicrobials -- copper -- to prevent infection transmitted from high-touch surfaces. Dr. Emily Hunt and Benton Allen are members of the team who developed the Copper Clean™ Patches, durable, antimicrobial copper stickers shown to be effective at killing dangerous microbes on high-touch surfaces. Join us as we learn about this exciting new tool for preventing exposure from high-touch surfaces. Visit the site & review the research: https://www.copperclean.com/haiLearn more on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/coppercleanofficialReach out to Benton Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benton-allen/Show Notes: Links to the research and other podcasts can be found at: Infection Prevention Spotlight

Welcome to the Research Behind Infection Prevention, where Dr. Mohamed Yassin provides tough questions to top researchers and leaders in their field. This podcast is a collaboration between Infection Prevention Spotlight and the American Journal of Infection Control. If you are interested to find out more on these topics, please go to the December 2020 edition of AJIC.Today we have the pleasure to hear from Dr. Elise Martin as she discusses the study published by a multicenter team from different academic medical centers. The main aim of the study is to assess the risk or the benefit with discontinuation of contact precautions for vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and methicillin resistant Staph aureus (MRSA). We will also be sharing the summary of a major article on nurse-driven antibiotic engagement tool in three hospitals by Dr. Elizabeth Monsees, et al. So please stay tuned!Find out more - December 2020 Issue American Journal of Infection ControlSee all the podcasts - Infection Prevention Spotlight

What if nursing school student hand hygiene failed 70 percent of the time?* What if 1/3 of handrub dispensers failed to deliver the needed amount?**Come on the hand hygiene journey with Tamás Haidegger, co-founder of HandInScan. We discuss the new International Organization for Standardization ISO 23447 that is being developed to address hand hygiene training, compliance benchmarking, performance/feedback, and facility requirements for healthcare settings, including gel dispenser functionality.Tamás is a wealth of information. He brings his AI experience to healthcare with The Semmelweis Scanner™.Show Notes:Links to the research and ISO can be found on at: Infection Prevention Spotlight Join Tamás with his hand hygiene efforts. Email: haidegger@handinscan.com

Today is all about surgical site infection prevention bundles! First we'll bring you the summaries of two important articles in the November 2020 American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) examining the effectiveness of surgical site care bundles in preventing SSIs. Then, Dr. Mohamed Yassin and I share our thoughts and experiences with bundle implementation and effectiveness. Find out more - November 2020 Issue American Journal of Infection ControlListen to all the podcasts - Infection Prevention SpotlightMentioned in this episode: Interview with Dr. Susan Huang

In this episode we have a bit of a twist, we are not interviewing a top researcher, we are interviewing Dr. Mohamed Yassin, our guest contributor who graciously summarizes the research and highlights what we can use as infection Preventionist in our everyday practice. We will also be sharing the summary two important publications in the October 2020 American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) the first from Japan discussing the costs of infections vs. costs of prevention. The second from Germany looks at Aerosol-Disinfection of Bacterial Spores.Find out more - October 2020 Issue American Journal of Infection ControlListen to all the podcasts - Infection Prevention Spotlight

Join us for a quick chat with Dr. Pat Stone, the new Chief Editor of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), find out her plans for AJIC's future, and hear her tips on getting your research published! Then we bring you Dr. Mohamed Yassin's summaries of two important new C. diff. prevention articles in this month's AJIC.Find out more - September 2020 Issue American Journal of Infection ControlListen to all the podcasts - Infection Prevention Spotlight

Dr. Elizabeth Beam from the University of Nebraska Medical Center discusses her research on respiratory protection education in the context of health care worker safety. Also in this episode, two new summaries: (1) a major article on environmental contamination of SARs-COV2 during the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea and (2) a state of the science review article on MRSA VRE co-colonization in patients. Find out more - August 2020 Issue American Journal of Infection ControlListen to all the podcasts - Infection Prevention SpotlightBest way to reach Dr. Beam: email: ebeam@unmc.edu / Twitter: @NoOffPosition

Welcome to the Research Behind Infection Prevention, where Dr. Mohamed Yassin provides tough questions to top researchers and leaders in their field. This podcast is a collaboration between Infection Prevention Spotlight and the American Journal of Infection Control. If you are interested to find out more on these topics, please go to the July 2020 edition of AJIC.Today we have the pleasure to hear from Dr. Leah Brown from Vanderbilt University Medical Center as she discusses her research on hospital privacy curtains in the ICU. We will also be sharing the summary of two letters to the editor submitted by Dr. Curtis Donskey and colleagues from the Cleveland VA and Case Western Reserve University, so please stay tuned! Find out more - July 2020 Issue American Journal of Infection ControlSee all the podcasts - Infection Prevention Spotlight

As we are learning more about the new coronavirus, the basics of Infection Prevention and Control are still effective in helping us keep our patients safe.  Join Host, Kara Mullane, RN, MSN, CIC as she delves into the IP basics and discusses the known, effective, tried and true measures of preventing infections like and including the novel coronavirus. 

Dr. Saba is Professor of Medicine and the Chairman of Cardiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and in this podcast he helps explain the use of antibacterial envelopes to prevent Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) infections and helps us evaluate their effectiveness by breaking down one recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine (March 2019) and another in the Journal of Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (July 2019).

Join host, Kara Mullane, RN, CIC, as she reports on accomplishments and opportunities from the latest CDC HAI Dashboard. Infection Prevention is starting to get the recognition and the focus of the top leadership / C. Suite! But there's more work to be done. Listen and share with your colleagues. 

Join us for the second segment of the Research Behind Infection Prevention, where Infection Prevention Spotlight contributor Dr. Mohamed Yassin summarizes the latest research and then dives deeper. In this episode, Dr. Yassin interviews top researcher Professor Brett Mitchell as he shares his work on Chlorhexidine for meatal cleaning and reducing CAUTIs as published in Lancet.

Join us for the inaugural segment of the Research Behind Infection Prevention. Infection Prevention Spotlight contributor, Dr. Mohamed Yassin, summarizes the latest research and then dives deeper into the research as he interviews top researcher Dr. Susan Huang as she shares her work on MRSA decolonization as published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Hospitals are teaming with organisms waiting for a new host. Don't let them make you sick. Listen in this dual message for patients and providers as Host Kara Mullane, RN CIC, shares easy, doable, prevention measures that all patients, families, visitors and all healthcare providers should hear.  

Join host, Kara Mullane, as he interviews the co-founder of the Peggy Lillis Foundation, Christian John Lillis.  He and his brother, Liam, give tribute to his mother's memory and help other families affected by C. diff. 

If you didn't have leadership support for your hand hygiene program, now is the time to get them on board. CMS is serious about keeping patients safe. Get the specifics.

Join host, Kara Mullane, as she spotlights hand selected AJIC Abstracts Topics: A baumannii Outbreak in the NICU and Blue blub microbial profile. Please share this with your NICU peers! It could save a life. Remember listen to the abstract, then go read the full article in AJIC.

Join host, Kara Mullane, as she interviews Thomas Heymann, Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance. Learn about Sepsis you may just save a life by what you hear on this podcast! Join us!  - Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Join host, Kara Mullane, as she spotlights hand selected AJIC Abstracts - Nov & Dec 2017, Vol 45, No 11 & 12. Topics: Improving Central Line Maintenance and Nurse Driven CAUTI Prevention. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Join host, Kara Mullane, as she interviews Dr. Tamás Haidegger of HandInScan and co-creator of the award winning Semmelweis Hand Hygiene System. Fostering technology-induced behavioral change in hand hygiene saves lives on a global scale. Learn how!

Join Kara Mullane as she spotlights hand selected AJIC Abstracts -  Dec 2017, Vol 45, No 12. Topics: A national collaborative approach to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections & Decreasing Indwelling catheter utilization.  

Join Kara Mullane as she spotlights what is going on this flu season, how you can stay safe, and she also spotlights a hand selected AJIC abstract which surveyed healthcare worker during the 2014-2015 Flu season to see if they went to work with flu like symptoms. (Correction for podcast: AJIC abstract survey for year 2014-2015 not the mentioned 2015-2016 flu season) Share this episode with you fellow IPs. Help us decrease the spread of influenza this season.

Join Kara Mullane as she reads two selected AJIC Abstracts from Journal Oct 2017, Vol 45, No 10. Topics: Prospective clinical trial to assess peripheral venous catheter-related phlebitis using needleless connectors in a surgery department; Outbreak of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in different wards at a regional hospital related to untrained bedside caregivers. Subscribe and never miss and episode!

Join Host, Kara Mullane, RN, MSN, CIC, as she tells the story of how she found nursing as a profession, how she found her way to Infection Prevention, and how she decided to launch Infection Prevention Spotlight to serve the Infection Prevention Community.  Join Us!   Be sure to subscribe and never miss an episode!

Join Kara Mullane as she reads two spotlighted AJIC Abstracts Journal Aug 2017, Vol 45, No 8. Topics: Risk Factors of cardiac device infection: Glove contamination during device procedures and Identification of low, high, and super gelers and barriers to hand hygiene among intensive care unit nurses.   Subscribe and never miss and episode!

Join host, Kara Mullane, as she interviews Nurse Inventor, Neil Morris. Neil had an idea of how to keep his patients safe from acquiring infections in the ICU where he was working. He then took the next step and started the process to invent a new product, the Basin Glove. Hear how Neil did it and he shares the steps to help other nurse inventors bring their great idea to market. Join Us!  Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Join Kara Mullane as she reads two selected AJIC Abstracts from Journal Oct 2017, Vol 45, No 10. Topics: Healthcare worker perspectives of their motivation to reduce health care-associate infections and Bacterial biofilm-based catheter-associated urinary tract infections: Causative pathogens and antibiotic resistance. As a follow up to the biofilm topic, if you are a biofilm expert and can speak to specifics on how to stunt biofilm formation on medical devices such as urinary catheters we want to interview you!  Please email: kara@infectionpreventionspotlight.com Subscribe and never miss and episode!

Join Kara Mullane as she spotlights the issue of C.difficile and what we can do to go beyond the basics for prevention of this awful disease.  Don’t forget to download the infographic and talking points on InfectionPreventionSpotlight.com/episode006. Share this episode with you fellow IPs. Help us stop the spread of C.diff.

Join Kara Mullane as she reads two selected AJIC Abstracts from - Journal  Sept 2017, Vol 45, No 8. Topics: Efficacy of the WHO recommended hand washing technique and a modified washing technique to remove C.diff from hands; Hand Hygiene compliance in a universal gloving setting.   Subscribe and never miss and episode!

Where does Germ Theory originate and what does it have to do with Infection Prevention today? Join Kara Mullane as she spotlights the story of the brilliant Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis.  Subscribe and never miss and episode!

Join Kara Mullane as she reads three selected AJIC Abstracts from Journal September 2017, Volume 45, Number 9. Article Abstract topics: Inappropriate CNA glove us in long term care; Transmission of MRSA to HCW gown and gloves during care at a VA nursing home; Can patient Hand Hygiene have an impact on C.diff at an academic medical center.  Find out.  Subscribe and never miss and episode!  

Interview with Infection Prevention icon, Sue Barnes. She explains the need for Antibiotic Stewardship in today's world and the Infection Preventionist's role in the Antibiotic Stewardship Program. Subscribe to never miss an episode. 

Welcome to the first episode of Infection Prevention Spotlight, a podcast by Kara Mullane, RN, MSN, CIC to shine a spotlight on all areas of Infection Prevention and give a voice to the Infection Preventionist. Kara talks about her inspiration for the podcast and Infection prevention, and her plans for creating a place where Infection Preventionists and all individuals responsible for keeping patients and staff safe from transmissible diseases can come together to hear the latest and greatest, voice frustrations, and learn from each other on our journey to zero healthcare associated infections (HAIs). Subscribe to the show for lots more to come!