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Antibiotic stewardship is now at the forefront of CDI prevention efforts because of the growing national focus on proper antibiotic use. This paper takes a close look at asymptomatic C. difficile carriers and provides recommendations for effective infection control.

Key Source International is the third ever environmental services industry leader to be presented with AHE’s prestigious Innovation Award.

SCA Away From Home Professional Hygiene made a live tree donation to the city of Pittsburgh, in honor of the 30th anniversary of 91��������EXCHANGE.

As the debate around bed bug continues to evolve and further research brings to light new information about these pests, the prevention and management practices will also evolve. In the meantime, rest easy with a proactive approach and the advice of a trained pest management professional. 

Five panelists discuss the similarities between nursing and environmental technicians, setting a culture of intraprofessional collaboration, the environmental management as an integral team member, and suggestions on improving collaboration.

Major challenges to hand hygiene compliance reported by survey participants included staff not thinking about it (43 percent), being too busy (31 percent), having other patient needs take priority (25 percent) and not having role models (24 percent). This article includes tables that examine these issues in greater detail.

Brian Lee, CSP, presents on the five attitudes of engagement, the four imperatives of a K.E.E.P. strategy, a vision for excellence and the brilliance of the basics.

Three panelists discuss challenges and strategies for Ebola infection control.

The Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) announces the recipients of the 2015 Recognition Awards for excellence in caring for the environment, volunteer service, mentorship and environmental sustainability.

91��������announces the 2015 Recognition Awards for excellence in caring for the environment, volunteer service, mentorship and environmental sustainability.

When health care organizations recognize that it takes a combination of approaches to keep their restrooms clean, they can then build upon an effective strategy to maintain restrooms at a service level that not only meets the expectations of users but also helps to protect their health.

Environmental services in hospitals and health care facilities fight to control the spread of pathogens and improve patient outcomes.

An overview of five significant changes in health care.

In April 2016, new guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Society for Health Epidemiology of America were released. Recommendations for effective antibiotic stewardship programs include preauthorization and prospective review of antibiotics, physician and pharmacist leadership and program design that focuses on the specific problems and resources of the healthcare facility.

In 2013, the FDA issued a Safety Communication warning that damaged mattress covers pose a risk of cross-contamination and patient infection, and recommended regular inspections of patient mattresses for any visible signs of damage such as tears, cuts, punctures, abrasions or staining. Despite this warning, there may be reasons why damaged mattresses continue to circulate in healthcare facilities.

We asked Terri Nelson, RN, MA, value analysis manager with Mayo Clinic, a few questions about selecting the best health care textile products.

Gail Fraine, RN, MMHC, BSN, CIC shares tips on minimizing risk and increasing safety when it comes to preventing disease transmission.

During a session titled “Environmental Services, Infection Prevention, and Health Care Laundry: Partners in Textile Hygiene,” speakers detailed how St. Mary’s (a 391-licensed bed, not-for-profit hospital) partnered with its laundry provider to enhance management practices.

“Can a robot clean a hospital room just as well as a human?” Let’s look at a few facts by dissecting the question and answering some questions of our own.

Given the amount of time that environmental services technicians spend with the patients they serve on a daily basis, the utilization of a facility-wide TeamSTEPPS® program can actively engage staff members across all disciplines with the overarching goal of improving quality and safety, the patient experience, and also reducing associated health care costs.