The ASHE Podcast

In this special episode of The ASHE Podcast, we explore the potential—and limitations—of artificial intelligence in guiding antimicrobial therapy decisions. The episode features a fully AI-narrated summary of the recent ASHE article, “Can We Rely on Artificial Intelligence to Guide Antimicrobial Therapy? A Systematic Literature Review.” Using DeepSeek, an advanced AI tool, ASHE Editorial Board member Rajalakshmi Arjun transformed this article into an accessible, audio-friendly format—offering listeners a new way to engage with research. This episode breaks down the current landscape of AI tools in clinical decision-making for infectious diseases. The review critically examines the accuracy, reliability, and clinical integration of AI models designed to recommend or guide antimicrobial use. The episode opens with a brief introduction from ASHE Editor-in-Chief Dr. Gonzalo Bearman, followed by the AI-generated narration of the article. It's a first for ASHE—and possibly a glimpse into the future of how research is consumed.

In this episode, hosts Gonzalo Bearman an Priya Nori sit down with Dr. Anita Shallal and Dr. Michael Veve to explore performance metrics that guide effective antimicrobial stewardship in outpatient settings. Drawing on their recent review article, the discussion focuses on key measures from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®), which assess the quality of antibiotic prescribing—particularly for common upper respiratory tract infections. Drs. Shallal and Veve walk through the four core HEDIS® measures relevant to stewardship, explain how these metrics are used by organizations like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and share insights on how performance data can drive programmatic goals. The episode also covers the unique challenges hospitals face in implementing stewardship programs beyond the inpatient setting, and the essential components—personnel, tools, and patient engagement—needed for success. Tune in for a practical and timely conversation about how healthcare systems can integrate performance measures into clinical workflows, leverage them to improve antibiotic use, and ultimately combat antimicrobial resistance in the community.

Join hosts Dr. Gonzalo Bearman and Dr. Priya Nori as they explore the vital role of infection prevention and control in healthcare with Dr. Erica Kaufman West and Catriona Hong, authors of the article "National Partnerships Address Critical Needs in Infection Prevention and Control." In this episode, the guests discuss the goals of Project Firstline, a CDC-AMA initiative designed to strengthen IPC practices across the nation. Dr. Kaufman West and Hong delve into how five critical IPC areas were identified, the importance of social determinants of health data, and the impact of burnout among IPC professionals. They also explore strategies for improving IPC training in medical schools, the future of masking policies, and balancing infection control with environmental sustainability. The conversation concludes with a look at the challenges of implementing national IPC strategies and the innovations and policy changes that will shape the future of infection prevention in the next decade.

Join hosts Gonzalo Bearman and Priya Nori as they dive into the critical intersection of infectious diseases and climate change with experts Dr. Shreya M. Doshi and Dr. Preeti Jaggi. This episode explores actionable steps that infectious diseases professionals can take to address the climate crisis, based on the article, "Ten Sustainable Steps Infectious Diseases Professionals Can Take to Mitigate the Climate Crisis." Our expert guests discuss how global warming exacerbates disease spread and the specific contributions of healthcare activities, from diagnostics and pharmaceutical waste, to greenhouse gas emissions. The conversation highlights strategies for reducing healthcare waste, transitioning from disposable to reusable medical supplies, and balancing infection control needs with environmental sustainability in PPE. Additional topics include optimizing pharmaceutical use to reduce waste, advocating for climate action in healthcare systems, and optimizing telehealth. The importance of tracking and reporting environmental benefits is emphasized, along with an invitation to join a new sustainability interest group. Listeners should note that this submission is part of an ongoing Call for Papers in ASHE on Environmental Sustainability.

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, we explore how innovative approaches in infection prevention are reshaping healthcare practices. Guests Graham Snyder, Elise Martin, and Ashley Ayers join the discussion to discuss their study titled "Impact of Discontinuation of Contact Precautions on Surveillance- and Whole Genome Sequencing-Defined Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Healthcare-Associated Infections" and what it means for the future of infection control. The conversation explores the evolving role of contact precautions (CP) in managing MRSA transmission. The discontinuation of CP has sparked debates in infection prevention, with this study providing a fresh perspective through whole genome sequencing (WGS). Unlike traditional surveillance methods, WGS offers deeper insights into MRSA transmission dynamics, unveiling patterns that can redefine how we approach infection control in acute care settings. The study's findings revealed a surprising drop in MRSA healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) post-discontinuation of CP, raising questions about how to balance infection prevention with resource management and patient safety. By reducing reliance on CP, hospitals may gain advantages such as cost savings and fewer adverse effects for patients, without compromising care quality. Finally, the episode delves into challenges faced during the study and the need for further research to refine infection prevention strategies. Future efforts could focus on tailoring CP to specific risks and developing more precise methods for tracking and preventing MRSA transmission. Be sure to read the full article available at Cambridge.org/ASHE. And for the official SHEA recommendations for MRSA treatment and prevention visit: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/sheaidsaapic-practice-recommendation-strategies-to-prevent-methicillinresistant-staphylococcus-aureus-transmission-and-infection-in-acutecare-hospitals-2022-update/5DB835D2E13F7E813A8A2FD7CB8386BD

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, Dr. Gonzalo Bearman and Dr. Priya Nori interview Dr. Joseph Ladines-Lim, who discusses his recent study on antibiotic prescribing trends in US emergency departments (EDs) from 2016 to 202, revealing important insights into the appropriateness of antibiotic use in emergency care. Key discussion topics covered include: a summary of antibiotic prescribing trends identified in the study and a more in-depth discussion of the study design, including an overview of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the study's primary data source. Dr. Ladines-Lim also discusses the strengths and limitations of using this survey for research, demographic variations in prescribing, the role of clinical guidelines, and a discussion of broader AMR implications and future areas of research.

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, we dive into the significant advancements in clinical microbiology over the past decade as discussed in the paper "A Decade of Clinical Microbiology: Top 10 Advances in 10 Years: What Every Infection Preventionist and Antimicrobial Steward Should Know." Our expert panel, featuring Tulip A. Jhaveri, Zoe Freeman Weiss, Marisa L. Winkler, and Nicole D. Pecora, explores the categorization of tests within the typical clinician's workflow, the evolution and impact of molecular diagnostics, and the future of home-based diagnostic testing. They also discuss the ongoing role of culture in microbiologic diagnosis, advancements in rapid susceptibility testing, and the challenges faced by clinical microbiology labs, including staffing shortages and FDA regulations. Tune in to understand how these advancements shape patient care and the future of clinical microbiology.

In today's episode of The ASHE Podcast ASHE Editors Brad Langford and Alex Marra interview Lemuel Benedict Non to discuss his article, “All aboard the ChatGPT steamroller: Top 10 ways to make artificial intelligence work for healthcare professionals.” They discuss potential integration of AI tools like ChatGPT in healthcare settings, focusing on their role in enhancing patient care and antimicrobial stewardship practices. Ethical dilemmas surrounding AI in healthcare are examined, with discussions on ensuring safe and ethical usage in clinical decision-making, alongside considerations for patient data privacy and algorithm biases. Additionally, they explore how ChatGPT could revolutionize patient communication, its impact on medical education, its role in research and data analysis, and strategies to prepare the healthcare workforce for AI integration.

Today on the ASHE Podcast we recognize National Donor Day! Hosts Gonzalo Bearman and Priya Nori are joined by guests Rachel Bartash, Miranda So, Helen Tsai and Neeraja Swaminathan to talk about their two ASHE articles on antimicrobial stewardship challenges in transplant infectious diseases and practical strategies to address them. Listen as our guests discuss unique considerations for stewardship in this population, strategies for teaching transplant services to be good stewards, gaps and challenges in transplant ID, and more. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read their full manuscript and learn more.

On today's episode of The ASHE Podcast Gonzalo Bearman and Priya Nori are joined by guests Arjun Srinivasan, Nathan Shively, and Yi Guo to talk about their articles that present the pro, con, and path forward for the CDC NHSN antibiotic use and resistance module. Today's episode is especially timely as we start the new year, which marks the start of mandatory reporting of antibiotic use and resistance data into NHSN. Listen as Drs. Shively, Guo, and Srinivasan discuss their articles as well as what kind of data the NHSN AUR module unlocks for hospitals, stewardship programs, and the healthcare consumer. Our panelists share their experience with hospital readiness to meet the reporting deadline and their perspectives on next frontier of antibiotic use and resistance data reporting. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read their full manuscript and learn more.

On today's episode of The ASHE Podcast Gonzalo Bearman and Priya Nori are joined by guests Alison G. Freifeld and Ali S. Khan to talk about their article, "The climate crisis and healthcare: What do infection prevention and stewardship professionals need to know?" Our guests discuss what the infectious diseases workforce should know about how the climate crisis might impact their everyday work. They discuss healthcare's big carbon footprint and what can be done about it and also discuss how the One Health approach can be applied to addressing the climate crisis. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read their full manuscript and learn more.

On today's episode of The ASHE Podcast Gonzalo Bearman and Priya Nori are joined by guest host Elizabeth Monsees. Elizabeth, Priya, and Gonzalo interview Meagan Zolla, Carol Schramm, Eileen Carter, and David Banach about their highly downloaded ASHE article, “Perceived usefulness of a mnemonic to improve nurses' evaluation of reported penicillin allergies.” Our guests share more about their mnemonic, STORY, and its perceived usefulness to improve penicillin allergy evaluation. Listen and learn more about the background for this study, the unique role of nurse colleagues in penicillin allergy evaluation, suggestions for implementation, and more. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read their full manuscript and learn more.

Join hosts Gonzalo Bearman and Priya Nori as the interview today's esteemed guest, Lilian Abbo. They will be discussing Dr. Abbo's recent Careers article in ASHE. Listen to learn more about Dr. Abbo's professional path and the personal drivers of her success as well as the mentorship relationships throughout her career. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read their full manuscripts and learn more.

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, Dr. Gonzalo Bearman and Dr. Priya Nori are joined by guests, Erica Shenoy and Westyn Branch-Elliman to discuss their bundle of ASHE articles on automated surveillance and infection prevention. Gonzalo, Priya, Erica, and Westyn recap the main takeaways of their articles including barriers to automated systems and on the future of automated infection detection, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and other innovations. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read the full manuscript and learn more.

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, Dr. Gonzalo Bearman and Dr. Priya Nori are joined by special guest, Martin Kiernan to discuss his recent ASHE article titled, “The power of podcasts: Exploring the endless possibilities of audio education and information in medicine, healthcare epidemiology, and antimicrobial stewardship,” which was coauthored by Philip Russo and Brett Mitchell. Gonzalo, Priya and Martin discuss the benefits (and potential pitfalls!) of podcasting as a medium for disseminating research as well as share some behind-the-scenes tips, tricks, and outtakes from the world of podcasting. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read the full manuscript and learn more.

Join us for a special episode of The ASHE Podcast as we highlight the careers of some of SHEA's most esteemed female colleagues. Host Priya Nori interviews Judith Guzman-Cottrill, Trish Perl, Jane Siegel, Louise Dembry, and Rekha Murthy. Listen as our guests discuss their professional paths, the role of mentorship in their career development, and the unique challenges they have overcome along the way. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read their full manuscripts and learn more.

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, Dr. Gonzalo Bearman and Dr. Pranavi Sreeramoju are joined by guests Christina Maria Niesing and Petra Bester to discuss their recent ASHE article titled, “Facilitators and barriers to implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in public South African hospitals.” Our guests discuss the facilitators that strengthen and barriers that hinder the implementation of the national AMS program in public hospitals in North West Province. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read their full manuscripts and learn more.

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, Dr. Gonzalo Bearman and Dr. Priya Nori are joined by guests Richard Wenzel and Daniel Sexton to discuss their recent Careers manuscripts titled “Notes to a young epidemiologist,” and “My Winding Journey to a Career in Hospital Epidemiology: Serendipity, Detours and Opportunities.” Our guests share wisdom and insights they've gained over the course of their careers as well as their perspectives on current issues in healthcare epidemiology. After listening, be sure to go to Cambridge.org/ashe to read their full manuscripts and learn more.

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, Priya Nori and Gonzalo Bearman are joined by guests, Sonali Advani and Mohamad Fakih to discuss their highly cited and highly downloaded ASHE paper, “Deconstructing the urinalysis: A novel approach to diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship.” They discuss concerns about how the urinalysis is currently used or misused, how the urinalyses can be optimized and what implementation constructs stewards and epidemiologists should keep in mind when considering a change to their laboratory process for urinalysis. The article referenced in today's episode is available: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antimicrobial-stewardship-and-healthcare-epidemiology/article/deconstructing-the-urinalysis-a-novel-approach-to-diagnostic-and-antimicrobial-stewardship/1ACC59DFB520536FB7782569DBFB1B03

In this episode of The ASHE Podcast, Priya Nori is joined by guests, Bradley J. Langford, Kelly L. Matson, Khalid Eljaaly discuss World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and their recently published ASHE paper, “Ten ways to make the most of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.” Learn more about our panelists efforts to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and find out what you can to do help improve AMR awareness in your community. Articles referenced in today's podcast are: https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/59e68e3a8ecd1200126656e8 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antimicrobial-stewardship-and-healthcare-epidemiology/article/ten-ways-to-make-the-most-of-world-antimicrobial-awareness-week/2659CF3EC1C58AA3CE0A1B9C7F416545 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antimicrobial-stewardship-and-healthcare-epidemiology/article/antibiotic-prescribing-knowledge-a-brief-survey-of-providers-and-staff-at-an-ambulatory-cancer-center-during-antibiotic-awareness-week-2019/643A207747AA95A4E101B04AC05B09D1 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antimicrobial-stewardship-and-healthcare-epidemiology/article/assessing-baccalaureate-nursing-students-antibiotic-stewardship-knowledge-using-virtual-standardized-patient-simulations/938A0373CB12BF3F6E5C5C0207DCD8DB

Welcome to the first episode of the ASHE Podcast! In today's episode, Priya Nori and Pam Bailey interview Dr. Suzanne Bradley. Dr. Bradley recently published the first article in ASHE's new series on Women in Epi.