🆕 New in ICHE: An EHR-based intervention reduced unnecessary testing & treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria in older adults This approach shows promise in minimizing overtreatment and supporting antimicrobial stewardship #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New from Branch-Elliman et al: 2-part series in ICHE on de-/implementation science to IP&C and ASP 📄 Part I: Life cycle of interventions on adoption to de-implementation 📄 Part II: A practical roadmap w/ real-world examples #IDSky Part I: doi.org/10.1017/ice.... Part II: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

Our new paper in @ichejournal.bsky.social: a cluster of healthcare-associated Burkholderia sola infections via WGS ➡️ B sola is a newly described BCC species ➡️ We detected 2 infxs via donor derived lung Tx + forward transmission #IDSky www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

🆕 New in ICHE: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact HAIs and AMR in Canadian hospitals? 📈 This interrupted time series study (2018–2022) found significant increase in HAIs and AMR organisms following the onset of the pandemic #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: Can far-UVC handheld devices improve disinfection of high-touch surfaces? Filtered 222 nm handheld UV device ⬇️ surface bacteria by up to 83% and genomic analysis identified MDROs persisting in the environment, underscoring both promise & limits #IDSky 📃: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: Can mobile health tools engage patients in infection prevention? This study piloted an mHealth app in clinical settings to support hand hygiene, device care, and other practices with insights on feasibility, workflow, & barriers to adoption #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: Can Enhanced Barrier Precautions reduce S. aureus and CRO transmission in nursing home ventilator units? A pre-post study of over 12,000 residents shows promise but persistent colonization and transmission remain challenges #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: A mixed-methods study explores bias and discrimination experienced by antimicrobial stewards Findings highlight structural inequities and the need for improved support, recognition, and inclusion in stewardship roles. #IDsky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: Case report of the 15th U.S. case of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), identified in Michigan in 2021. Includes epidemiologic investigation and genomic analysis plus implications for IPC and antimicrobial stewardship. #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

TLDR; We propose an optimized ASE 2.0 definition: - allow POA infection diagnosis codes to anchor infection - include pts discharged alive on QAD 3 - include hypotension w/out pressors (>/= 2 readings in 6h) - include NIV or HFNC (>/= 2 days) - minor changes in Plt, Cr, and Tbili thresholds

🆕 New in ICHE: How should the CDC’s Adult Sepsis Event (ASE) definition evolve? This study modeled potential modifications and found tradeoffs between incidence, mortality, and clinical validity offering insight into how changes could shape surveillance #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: Should hospital-onset bacteremia & fungemia (HOB) be a pay-for-performance measure? This pro/con debate explores whether HOB is preventable enough (and measurable enough) to drive accountability without unintended consequences #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New Podcast Episode! @davidcalfeemd.bsky.social talks to Drs. Kaur, Uslan, & Yang on the clinical utility, benefits, and pitfalls of Plasma Cell-Free DNA and Metagenomic Sequencing! #IDSky 🟪: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 🟧: soundcloud.com/user-6607204... 🟩: open.spotify.com/episode/7sV3...

🆕 New in ICHE: How does the new NHSN test method definition affect C. difficile reporting? Authors found that the 2024 update—focusing on a facility’s testing strategy (NAAT + toxin EIA)—improved model performance and reduced overestimation of hospital-onset CDI #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: How much does HCW masking reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission? Modeling study found that even moderate masking adherence by healthcare workers significantly reduces nosocomial COVID-19 especially at high community prevalence #IDSky 📄 doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: How do masking and visitation policies affect pediatric HA-RVI? Children’s Hospital Colorado found that universal masking + 2-visitor limits ⏬ healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections - more than seasonal sibling restrictions alone #IDSky 📄 doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: Authors provide a pilot study tested a VR training module for cleaning & low-level disinfection After user-driven revisions, the experience improved highlighting the promise and pitfalls) of immersive IPC training #IDSky 📄 doi.org/10.1017/ice....

Now more than ever, we need to train the next generation of IP physicians! Check out the new SHEA IP curriculum for ID fellow training in infection prevention! Great way to start or strengthen IP fellow training at your ID program @ichejournal.bsky.social www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Thanks to ICHE for highlighting our work demonstrating the utility of WGS surveillance in uncovering hospital-based transmission of VRE!

🆕 New in ICHE: WGS surveillance of VRE uncovered undetected hospital outbreaks—spotlighting the PACU as a key transmission locus 📍 Without genomic surveillance, these clusters would’ve been missed #IDSky 📄 doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🎙️ New ICHE Podcast Episode! Drs. Herwaldt & Seidelman discuss latest research & real-world challenges in preventing SSIs—plus actionable tips for improving surgical safety #IDSky 🟪: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 🟧: soundcloud.com/user-6607204... 🟩: open.spotify.com/episode/3fU7...

🆕 New in ICHE: Which swab works better for detecting microbes in healthcare settings? This study compared sponge-sticks vs flocked swabs for environmental MDRO detection ▶️ Sponge-sticks outperformed for culture ▶️ Flocked swabs better for metagenomic DNA recovery #IDSKy 📄 doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: Most healthcare personnel support a risk-tailored approach to MRSA contact precautions. This discrete choice experiment found strong support—especially among physicians and APPs—for using gloves and gowns based on setting, role, and activity. #IDSky 📄 doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New from @trtalbot.bsky.social, others: ⚠️Authors show RSV is an under-recognized healthcare-associated infection. ▶️Improved surveillance strategies to detect healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections are needed. #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

NEW in ICHE: ▶️ Critically ill opioid use disorder (OUD) patients face high MDRO infection rates (22.5%), with MRSA most common ▶️ Key risk factors include housing insecurity, lack of OUD meds, HCV status, and recent IV antibiotic use. #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE: Is it hospital-acquired - or was it already incubating? A new letter from UNC compares NHSN HAI definitions to incubation periods for common respiratory viruses. Findings highlight risks of misclassification & call for refined surveillance criteria #IDSky 📄 doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕 New in ICHE Scoping review on sampling methods for flexible endoscopes without a working channel. ▶️ Immersion, swabbing, wiping—all used, but which works best? This review identifies gaps and calls for more research. #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New this week in ICHE: Multisociety guidelines on sterilization & high-level disinfection Developed by SHEA, APIC, @idsainfo.bsky.social, & others, this guidance updates best practices across devices, settings, and standards aligned with latest CDC updates #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

In the #SHEASpring2025 Top Papers session is this ICHE paper by Singh et al on diagnostic stewardship to improve outcomes and HAIs! #IDSky www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

#SHEASpring2025 @ashejournal.bsky.social EIC Gonzalo Bearman talking about the recent joint statement from IDSA, SHEA, PIDS www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

@ichejournal.bsky.social x ASHE collab coming soon—and also…an impact factor for us! Excited to celebrate the editorial board and most importantly—our authors and reviewers here at #SHEASpring2025.

#SHEASpring2025: ICHE & ASHE Journal Reception

New from Same et al: ▶️ At 4 children’s hospitals with established antimicrobial stewardship programs, 80% of discharge antibiotic courses for pneumonia, UTI, and skin infections were suboptimal either by choice or duration #IDSky @sheaepi.bsky.social 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New from @loukasmd.bsky.social et al: Authors provide systematic review of pathogens & sources of contamination linked to outbreaks in HSCT units ▶️ 39 studies, various sources including water, construction, contamination #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕NEW Podcast Episode! 🎧 @davidcalfeemd.bsky.social talks to Drs. Passaretti & Klompas on return-to-work policies for healthcare workers infected w/ respiratory viruses! #IDSky Links: 🟪: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 🟧: soundcloud.com/user-6607204... 🟩: open.spotify.com/episode/03NC...

Spread from infected personnel is a major source of healthcare-associated respiratory virus infections. New data help determine when infected HCP can safely return to work. Learn about it on the ichejournal.bsky.social podcast. sheaepi.bsky.social #IDSKY #episky on.soundcloud.com/XtiUcTHJxXb7...

New commentary in ICHE: Infection prevention and control for measles in healthcare settings Authors provide methods to ⏫ identification of measles cases, facilitate appropriate isolation, ⏬ exposures, & provide timely post-exposure prophylaxis #IDSky 📄: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

🆕 New today Social vulnerability influences racial & ethnic disparities in C. difficile infection outcomes ▶️ Authors show improving screening practices during remote consultations w/ targeted diagnostic questions could enhance early CDI detection #IDSky 📄: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

New from Buford et al: Authors present an investigation and a performance improvement project that resulted in reduced incidence of Hysterectomy surgical site infections at an academic, safety-net, level 1 trauma center #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

🆕New in ICHE: ▶️ Study links higher social vulnerability index to increased surgical site infection (SSI) risk regardless of race/ethnicity. ▶️ Targeted interventions needed to improve surgical outcomes and equity #IDSky 🦠 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New in ICHE #IDSky: VRE is found in the hospital environment and in patients. But is it always the same? This study found distinct reservoirs - patients had vanA VRE while environment was dominated by vanB VRE. 📄: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

New in ICHE: Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates in surgical critical care units via an informal catheter exchange protocol ▶️Intervention associated w/ 88% & 84% ⏬ in CAUTI in two ICUs #IDSKy @sheaepi.bsky.social 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New from Moskowitz et al: Predicting CLABSI at the time of insertion ▶️ A machine learning based method for identifying central lines at highest risk for directed prevention efforts. #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

Struggling with blood culture contamination? Check-out the ichejournal.bsky.social podcast, where authors of new studies discuss causes, outcomes & strategies for prevention, including initial specimen diversion devices. @sheaepi.bsky.social #IDSKY #episky on.soundcloud.com/MRRytTKzfa9K...

🎙️ New ICHE Podcast Ep! We dive into blood culture contamination & the role of initial specimen diversion devices in ⏬ false positives Ft. Drs. Navas, Rupp, Tompkins, & Touzard Romo #IDSky 🟪: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 🟧: soundcloud.com/user-6607204... 🟩: open.spotify.com/episode/1eZ9...

Dr. Mark Rupp is featured on the latest episode of the @ichejournal.bsky.social podcast: "Initial Specimen Diversion Devices for Preventing Blood Culture Contamination" #IDSky #DiagnosticStewardship podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

🆕 from Ilges et al: Real-word utility of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia: A matched cohort study ▶️ Authors find PCT testing not associated w/ reduced antimicrobial utilization, LOS, or 30-day all-cause mortality #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New in ICHE from CDC: Association of facility vaccination policy with influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel in acute care hospitals ▶️ Mandatory vaccination & masking for unvaccinated personnel associated w/ ⏫ odds of vaccination #IDSky #EpiSky #PublicHealth 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New in ICHE: Ditching the defaults: Assessing the impact of default duration removal on antibiotic prescriptions originating in the emergency department #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....

New today in ICHE: Elimination of Legionella colonization in a hospital water system: evidence from 23 years of chlorine dioxide use #IDSky 📄: doi.org/10.1017/ice....