AORN26: Turning Infection Prevention Guidelines Into Practical Policies With a Scalable Framework | Infection Control Today At AORN 2026, Erica Smith, DrPH, MBA, shares a practical framework for turning infection prevention guidelines into flexible, sustainable policies that help perioperative teams improve compliance with...

Turning guidelines into practice is where infection prevention often breaks down. At AORN26, a simple but powerful idea: make policies scalable and usable. Flexible policies = better adoption + safer care. Join the conversation --> tinyurl.com/6mzj68nz
#InfectionPrevention #AORN2026 #PatientSafety

#57 Beyond Discharge: The Skilled Nursing Facility's Role in C. diff Management Join Nicki and Jess as they dive into the journey of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections as patients move between hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). They're joined by special guests Kelly, Glenn, and Cory, who help unpack insights from a massive U.S. study of over 86,000 hosp

Is your #Cdiff protocol stopping at the door? 🚪aたん2 Ep57 reveals a gap:
🔹 CDI patients sent to SNFs cost ~2x more.
🔹 SNF patients face higher mortality.
Coordination is the new frontline. #PraediAlert spots trends before readmission. 🛑
Watch:

Penicillin allergy label still steering patients toward broader therapy? 💊 New iNAAN data suggest inpatient direct oral challenge can safely delabel low-risk patients and reduce later restricted + WHO Watch/Reserve antibiotic use. 🔎 doi.org/10.1093/cid/...

New guidance for IPs tackling surgical irrigation questions—especially when evidence is unclear. APIC’s CRPI resource breaks down guidance from CDC, WHO, SHEA/IDSA & more into practical, real-world use.
https://bit.ly/3Ok2OtW #InfectionPrevention #PatientSafety #SSI

AI in blood culture stewardship is promising—but what about harm? This new paper outlines a plan to systematically evaluate patient-level harms from AI tools, a critical gap in current evidence. 🔍 doi.org/10.1017/ash....

In community hospitals, IP is leadership. But manual data queues stall progress. Surveillance software relieves spreadsheet fatigue by automating data integrity. Make the move from COMPLIANCE to RESILIENCE. #InfectionPrevention #ASP #CommunityHealth

Can doxy-PEP move the needle on syphilis at a population level? 📉 New King County data suggest a 52.3% relative drop overall after rollout—but pregnancy-associated syphilis and congenital syphilis did not improve. Big stewardship + public health signal. doi.org/10.1093/cid/...

New AJIC: Science into Practice episode highlights the critical role skilled nursing facilities play in preventing recurrence & transmission. Stronger communication + consistent IPC across settings = better outcomes. tinyurl.com/5dcdujca

#InfectionPrevention #CDiff

📊 Penicillin allergy labels ≠ true allergy—and PEN-FAST may help. New data show nearly 80% of patients fall into low-risk categories, highlighting a major opportunity for antibiotic challenge and better antibiotic use, which may improve patient outcomes. 💊

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Stop the guesswork. PraediAlert’s Respiratory Illness Module lets you track Positive Patients, Admissions, Vaccinations and more for Flu, COVID, and RSV—all in one unified view. 🩺
#RSV #InfectionControl #ASP #PublicHealth #PraediAlert www.cidrap.umn.edu/r...

💊 CDI risk isn't just about antibiotics. In this pharmacopoeia-wide study, clindamycin, amox/clav, ciprofloxacin, and cephalexin stood out—but pantoprazole and ferrous fumarate also showed risk signals. Stewardship lens = whole med list. doi.org/10.1093/infd...

How Infection Prevention and Control Uses Artificial Intelligence | Infection Control Today AI is transforming hand hygiene monitoring by replacing limited manual observation with continuous, data-driven surveillance. New tools use computer vision and machine learning to detect sanitizer use and identify gaps in adherence.

AI is strengthening IPs. From real-time surveillance to early detection of HAIs and sepsis risks, AI helps teams act faster and smarter. The future? Human expertise + AI insights = safer care.
tinyurl.com/bdd7tvuv #InfectionPrevention #AIinHealthcare #PatientSafety

🚨 Sepsis guidelines updated (SSC 2026)

Key takeaways:
⚡ Early antibiotics (ASAP—ideally ≤1 hr)
🔽 De-escalate when cultures return
🚫 Avoid routine empiric antifungals
💧 30 mL/kg fluids (with nuance!)

Big implications for stewardship + CDS tools.
🔗 doi.org/10.1001/jama...

Stethoscope Hygiene Gaps Persist: Infection Prevention Leaders Call for Workflow-Based Solutions to Reduce HAIs | Infection Control Today Stethoscopes remain an overlooked vector for health care–associated infections. Infection prevention experts say inconsistent cleaning, workflow pressures, and cultural gaps contribute to contamination risks, especially for vulnerable patients such as those in oncology and emergency settings.

@IC_Today experts warn we can’t “wash our way out” of this hygiene gap. For IPs & Pharmacists, it’s a hidden vector for transmission. www.infectioncontrol...
At PraediAlert, we’re all about closing the gaps in infection data. 🖥️💡 #IP #Surveillance

Septic arthritis and prosthetic joint infections: microbial spectrum and evolving resistance patterns Abstract. Background: Septic arthritis (SA) and prosthetic joint infection (PJI) are severe musculoskeletal emergencies associated with rapid joint destruction, functional disability, and high mortality. Accurate microbiological diagnosis remains challenging, particularly in PJIs where biofilm formation reduces culture sensitivity. Local epidemiological data are essential to optimize empirical therapy and stewardship strategies. This study aimed to determine the distribution of microorganisms isolated from synovial fluid cultures and to evaluate antimicrobial resistance trends, with a direct comparison between native SA and PJI over a 5-year period. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 3171 synovial fluid specimens collected between January 2020 and December 2024 at a tertiary referral hospital. Microorganisms were identified by MALDI-TOF MS, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested with VITEK-2 according to EUCAST criteria. Resistance trends were assessed for major pathogens. Results: Overall, 651 samples (20.5 %) yielded growth, with significantly higher positivity in blood culture bottles than sterile containers (29.6 % vs. 16.1 %, p<0.001). PJIs accounted for 47.8 % of positive cultures. The most frequent pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (33.6 %), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (24.9 %), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.6 %). CoNS (p=0.017) and E. faecalis (p=0.009) were significantly more common in PJIs. Methicillin resistance increased among S. aureus (20.0 % → 30.8 %) and remained high among CoNS (51 %–85 %). Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) prevalence rose in K. pneumoniae (14.3 % → 42.1 %) and remained high in E. coli (57 %–80 %). All staphylococcal isolates remained susceptible to glycopeptides, linezolid, and daptomycin. Conclusions: Staphylococci remain the dominant pathogens in joint infections, with CoNS and E. faecalis strongly associated with PJIs. Rising methicillin resistance and ESBL-producing Enterobacterales highlight the need for careful empirical coverage, while preserved activity of last-line agents is reassuring. Routine inoculation into blood culture bottles significantly improves diagnostic yield.

Joint infections = diagnostics + stewardship🔬💊. 5-year review (2020–2024; 3,171 synovial fluids): culture+ 20.5%, higher when inoculated into blood culture bottles (29.6% vs 16.1). Staph dominates; MR + ESBLs rising.

Human Factors Research Reveals How OR, SPD, and Logistics Shape Surgical Safety | Infection Control Today A new human factors study reveals the hidden complexity behind sterile processing. Research from the Medical University of South Carolina shows how sterile processing, operating rooms, and courier networks function as one interconnected system. Understanding “work as done” rather than “work as imagined” may be key to improving surgical safety and supporting frontline staff.

Surgical safety isn’t just the OR, it’s the whole system. Human factors research shows how SPD + logistics shape outcomes behind the scenes. Safer care starts with seeing the full picture. www.infectioncontrol...

#PatientSafety #InfectionPrevention #SPD

Comprehensive Review of Candidozyma (Candida) auris Management: Insights From the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists Candidozyma (Candida) auris has emerged over the past two decades as a formidable global health threat due to its multidrug resistance, persistence in healthcare environments, and rapid nosocomial sp...

Candida auris remains a global threat:
🦠 ~50% mortality + rapid nosocomial spread
💊 Echinocandins = 1st line, but resistance emerging
⚠️ Limited azole/AmB utility
🚀 New agents promising, data limited
Bottom line: treatment + infection control both critical.
doi.org/10.1002/phar...

IP Voices From the Trenches: What Leadership Fails to Grasp About Your Job | Infection Control Today A national survey of infection preventionists reveals deep concerns about staffing shortages, lack of leadership support, limited authority, and outdated surveillance systems. IP professionals warn that without structural investment, modernization, and executive recognition of their operational value, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and hospital financial stability remain at risk.

From staffing shortages to limited influence, infection preventionists face real barriers. If we want safer healthcare, we must invest in and empower IPs.

www.infectioncontrol...

#PatientSafety

Antibiotic Prophylaxis Choice and Surgical Site Infections in Colorectal Surgery This systematic review and network meta-analysis uses data from randomized clinical trials to compare the association of different antibiotic classes and class combinations with clinical and safety ou...

Colorectal SSI prevention: new network meta-analysis (105 RCTs; 18,273 pts) found broad-spectrum penicillins + cephalosporin-based regimens had the strongest SSI reduction; broad-spectrum penicillins also linked to lower mortality. doi.org/10.1001/jama...

New MDR P. aeruginosa analysis: Ceftolozane-tazobactam showed higher cure and lower mortality vs aminoglycosides/polymyxins, with similar outcomes vs ceftazidime-avibactam. Despite newer agents, 30-day mortality remained ~22%. #AMR #ASP #ID doi.org/10.1128/aac....

Final day on the #ACMG2026 exhibit floor. Catch Bitscopic at Booth 216 for quick PraediGene walkthroughs all day.

Exhibit hall is open today at ACMG 2026. Come by Booth #216 for PraediGene walkthroughs with the Bitscopic team - Bill, Sabrina, and Joel are there to meet with you.

Tuberculosis cases have been rising as public health agencies struggle to keep up • Stateline Tuberculosis is a costly disease, and cases have been rising back to pre-pandemic rates. Public health agencies are struggling to keep up.

🚨 TB cases are rising, but public health funding isn't keeping pace. PraediAlert notifies IPs the moment a TB test is ordered not just when results are in. From pre-collection alerts to room-based contact tracing, we give you the head start you need.
🔗

We’re in Baltimore for ACMG 2026. Stop by Booth #216 to see PraediGene and how it supports reproducible interpretation and inspection-ready workflows.

ESCMID Clinical Guidelines on the Evaluation and Management of a Reported Antibiotic Allergy Antibiotic allergies remain one of the most frequently documented drug allergies in clinical records. It is well established that only a small proport…

“Antibiotic allergy” ≠ true allergy. ESCMID guideline: only ~5–10% of documented antibiotic allergies are immune-mediated. Use structured history; if low risk, de-label or do a supervised challenge. Big stewardship + patient-safety win.

Measles is back. A new episode of the AJIC Science Into Practice explores how a children’s hospital responded to a measles outbreak with rapid screening, isolation strategies, and teamwork across departments.
🎧: ajicscienceintopractice.org/episode/56-m...
#InfectionPrevention #PublicHealth

ACMG 2026 week is here. We’ll be in Baltimore at Booth #216 starting Wednesday. Stop by to see PraediGene and how it supports genomic lab workflows from interpretation to reporting.

Large multicenter retrospective study: Triazoles vs liposomal amphotericin B for invasive aspergillosis (n=401, OFID 2026): After adjusting, 90-day mortality was similar (aHR 1.43, NS). L-AmB was used more in high-risk & breakthrough cases. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf777

A recent VA presentation shows that CDC’s #ProjectFirstline education led to a 69% drop in CLABSI and 47% in CAUTI. By pairing Firstline’s training with PraediAlert’s real-time surveillance, we can turn IP into a proactive shield for our Veterans.

Did you know antibiotics drive >1/3 of pediatric ED visits for medication ADEs? 🚑💊 US data (2019–2023) estimate ~47,600 ED visits/year—and 73,095 in 2023 alone. Big antimicrobial stewardship + counseling opportunity for pharmacists. doi.org/10.1093/jpid...