5 Second Rule

The growing complexity of medical conditions managed in a patient's residence is making home health care a key area of interest for infection prevention and control. Though home health is a desired option for care, there are challenges which require an IPs input to minimize risk of infection. Please join us and our guest, Victoria Adams, MPHIL, MS, RN, Associate Director and infection preventionist at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), as we discuss the IPs role in this setting.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo, CAE

About our Guest:

Victoria Adams, MPHIL, MS, RN, Associate Director and Infection Preventionist at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York

Victoria Adams is the Associate Director and infection preventionist at VNSNY, one of the largest home care organizations in the US. She also chairs the Infection Prevention and Control Committee which is focused on standardization of infection prevention practices in home environment. Her clinical experience as a family nurse practitioner and public health nurse has served as the foundation for her research interests in preventing infections in home-based care settings. She completed graduate training in research methods at Columbia University, working with experts in infection prevention. Additionally, she precepted advanced care nursing students and facilitated simulation training at New York University.

It is estimated that 750,000 Americans are affected by kidney failure each year. Through the process of dialysis, healthcare professionals are able to replicate some of the major functions performed by kidneys which in turn help prolong patients' lives. Join us and our guest, Tara Millson DNP, CIC, Director of Infection Prevention at the George Washington University Hospital, as we discuss infection prevention in dialysis and how this disease is more prevalent in diverse or low-income communities, who are more likely to suffer from a healthcare associated infection.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo, CAE

About our Guest:

Tara Millson, DNP, CIC, Director of Infection Prevention at the George Washington University Hospital

Tara Millson is the Director of Infection Prevention at the George Washington University Hospital. Tara has more than 10 years clinical nursing experience and more than 8 years' experience in infection prevention and control. Tara is active with local and national APIC and currently serves as the vice chair for the Practice Guidance Committee. She has presented at several professional and research conferences on various topics related to infection prevention, and she is a published author in the field. Tara is certified in infection control (CIC), and has a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) in infection prevention from Loyola University Chicago.

In this episode, we touch on the dialogue surrounding diversity and inclusion efforts in healthcare and infection prevention and control. Unfortunately unconscious bias operates constantly in the workplace. As infection preventionists, we see it in the ways patients of different races and ethnicities are acknowledged and treated. It is present as well in opportunities for promotion and career advancement. Our great panel of guests include Rosa Lozano, Dr. Tania Bubb, and Dr. Devin Jopp, APIC's CEO. Join us as we listen to our guests' experiences and their suggestions towards making infection prevention and control more inclusive.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo

About our Guests:

Rosa Lozano, MPH, CIC. Assistant Vice President, Infection Prevention

Rosa Lozano joined the Methodist Healthcare System located in San Antonio, Texas in 2019. As the Assistant Vice President of Infection Prevention Rosa mentors a team of facility Infection Preventionists, champions comprehensive infection prevention programs, and collaborates with teams to drive patient and healthcare worker safety. Before moving to San Antonio, Rosa has served as an infection preventionist in acute care, long-term acute care, and rehabilitation facilities in Texas, Colorado and Virginia. She specializes in outbreak/crises management and the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Rosa is also passionate about mentorship and leadership growth for Infection Preventionists. Rosa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from The University of Texas, and her Master of Public Health degree in Healthcare Systems, Management, and Policy from the Colorado School of Public Health. She has been certified in infection prevention since 2009. Rosa is an active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), serving in several chapter leader roles, and nationally on the Public Policy Committee, and currently on the Communications Committee.

Devin Jopp, MS, EdD. CEO, APIC

Dr. Jopp joined APIC as CEO on December 7, 2020. He brings to APIC more than two decades of association leadership with a wide array of experience and accomplishments from across the healthcare and nonprofit sectors. He has been recognized as one of the top 100 most influential healthcare leaders by Healthcare Management International Magazine and one of the top 50 healthcare IT experts by Health Data Management Magazine. Prior to APIC, he served as CEO for the American College Health Association, the principal leadership organization for advancing the health and well-being of the nation's 20 million college students and their campus communities through advocacy, education, and research. He has also previously served as president and CEO for the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), a national nonprofit advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services focused on enhancing the exchange of healthcare information. Before joining WEDI, he served as chief operating officer for the Service Corp of Retired Executives, a national nonprofit organization that provides business mentoring and training to American entrepreneurs. Earlier in his career, Dr. Jopp held leadership positions at URAC, an independent, nonprofit healthcare accreditation organization, and at the Health Insurance Association of America. Dr. Jopp received a Bachelor of Arts in computer information systems from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, a Master of Science in computer and information sciences from Hood College, and a Doctor of Education in human and organizational learning (EdD) from the George Washington University.

Tania Bubb, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC. Director, Infection Control

Dr. Bubb is currently the director of infection control at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Most recently she also served as Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Dr. Bubb has been an infection preventionist (IP) for more than 10 years at major academic medical centers of varying inpatient and outpatient specialties, providing her with the skills, critical thinking and leadership abilities necessary to perform optimally within the field of infection prevention and control, as well as promote and maintain patient safety initiatives. Dr. Bubb has served on the board of directors of her local APIC chapter as the membership chair as well as having chaired APIC's Professional Development Committee. She serves on the editorial review board of the American Journal of Infection Control and is a member of APIC's editorial panel. Dr. Bubb has spoken and presented at local chapter and national APIC events as well as other local and regional conferences. She has authored publications related to the field of infection prevention and control. Dr. Bubb received her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in nursing from City University New York Herbert H. Lehman College. She was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Nursing from New York University. Dr. Bubb is certified in infection prevention and control (CIC) and has earned the Fellow of APIC designation.

What comes to mind when you hear the word, "microbes"? If your first thought is bacteria, you may also correlate that with sickness. Surprisingly, that is not always the case. Join us and our guests, Dr. Salah Qutaishat and Dr. Timothy Wiemken, for a discussion on the importance of a well-balanced microbiome through the lens of two of their great loves: yogurt and beer. This episode exposes the microbial parallel between a brewery and a hospital, and the necessity of microbes in our day-to-day health.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo, CAE

About our Guests:

Salah S. Qutaishat, PhD, CIC, FSHEA, FAPIC

Salah Qutaishat, PhD, is currently a consultant in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology. Most recently, he held the position of system director of Infection Prevention at Munson Healthcare. He is dedicated to helping healthcare organizations prevent healthcare-associated infection and antimicrobial resistance through automation and process simplification. Dr. Qutaishat received his PhD in microbiology from the SUNY at Buffalo, an MS in medical biology from Long Island University, and a BS in Biology from the University of Jordan. For the past two decades he held several positions in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology. He is an expert in infection prevention, prevention of microbial resistance and healthcare informatics. Dr. Qutaishat is also certified in infection control (CIC) and is a fellow of the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (FSHEA). He was on the clinical faculty at SUNY at Buffalo and University of Wisconsin at La Crosse. He is a member of several professional societies including the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Dr. Qutaishat has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals, he is also a reviewer for both APIC and SHEA journals. He also presented clinical findings at national and local meetings.

Timothy L. Wiemken, PhD, MPH, FAPIC, FSHEA, CIC

Dr. Timothy Wiemken is an Associate Professor in the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Allergy, and Immunology. He is the Director of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology for SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, the Director of Data Science and Epidemiology in the Institute for Vaccine Science and Policy, and the Director of the Systems Infection Prevention Center at Saint Louis University. Dr. Wiemken has a doctorate in Public Health from the University of Louisville, a master's degree in Epidemiology from Saint Louis University, and has a bachelor's degree in microbiology and molecular biology from Southern Illinois University. He was previously an infection preventionist at the University of Louisville Hospital and the Hospital Epidemiologist for the Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Louisville, KY. He has been certified in infection prevention and control since 2008 and is a fellow of both the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). He is active with APIC and the SHEA, serving on many national committees. He has authored and co-authored numerous guidelines and book chapters on infectious diseases and infection prevention, and nearly 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and national/international guidelines related to infectious disease epidemiology. His research currently focuses on pneumonia, influenza, emerging respiratory pathogens, data science in healthcare, and healthcare-associated infections.

As COVID vaccines become more accessible to the public, it's important to keep in mind the present dangers of other common respiratory illnesses. Transmission of these infections affects everyone, from Baby Boomers to Gen Zers, in various ways that could be fatal for some but a cough to others. Dr. Angela Rasmussen joins us to discuss testing and transmission regarding influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo, CAE

About our Guest:

Angela L. Rasmussen, Ph.D

Angela L. Rasmussen, Ph.D. is a virologist currently affiliated with the Georgetown Center for Global Health Science and Security. In spring 2021, Dr. Rasmussen will also be starting a lab at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), a vaccine research institute at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Rasmussen is a member of the Verena Consortium, a multi-disciplinary, international effort to predict and study emerging viral pathogens. Dr. Rasmussen studies the role of the host response in emerging virus pathogenesis, with a particular interest in viruses that are or have the potential to be major threats to global health, such as influenza, dengue, Ebola, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2.

Ever wonder about the considerations that go into a healthcare facility's much-needed renovation? Or a hospital's expansion project that requires a brand new wing? Join 2021 APIC President-Elect Linda Dickey and Jayson Karas, a union carpenter, for a discussion on the subtle yet vital role that Infection Preventionists (IP) play during a construction/renovation project in a healthcare facility. We also touch on some of the challenges and IP encounters while ensuring infection prevention and control (IPC) best practices during an undertaking of this nature.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo

About our Guests:

Linda Dickey, RN, MPH, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC

Linda Dickey was Sr. Director, Epidemiology & Infection Prevention at UCI Health and will be the 2022 President-elect for APIC. Linda's background includes serving on the Facilities Guidelines Institute (FGI) committee to develop design criteria for health care facilities. She has also taught for over 15 years for the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) in courses related to healthcare design, construction and water management and has served on the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 188 committee to establish the standard for Legionella management. Linda's clinical experience is in adult critical care and over 25 years of experience in epidemiology & infection prevention and quality, patient safety. She earned a nursing degree from the University of South Carolina and her Master in Public Health degree from the University of South Florida. Linda is currently an independent consultant.

Jayson Karas

Jayson Karas is a Business Representative and the ICRA Coordinator for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters. He is a Union Carpenter of 23 years and is a proud member of the UBC: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He has spent 15 of his 23 years as a Carpenter working in healthcare construction. He has a strong passion for learning as well as sharing his experiences that he acquired working in the field with others. He has the privilege of working with members of the APIC Community as a representative of the UBC, an APIC Strategic Partner in 2020 and continuing that partnership in 2021. He serves on several UBC ICRA Committees in helping further the UBC's desire to develop and deliver much needed healthcare construction curriculum and training to contractors, tradespeople, and healthcare professionals in the United States and Canada. Jayson is also a proud veteran after serving 8 years in the United States Navy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment (PPE) has become as essential to everyday life as shoes, though masking guidelines for use haven't been so straightforward and often times confuse the public. The supply of PPE has been a challenge and educating healthcare workers on what they need to wear and under what circumstances is no easy task for Infection Preventionists. Dr. Darlene Carey and Georgine Kruedelbach join us this month to discuss what PPE is, the different types of equipment available, and where PPE falls under the 'Hierarchy of Controls'.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo

About our Guests:

Georgine Kruedelbach MSN, RN, CIC

Georgine is the Director of Infection Prevention and Performance Improvement at Naples Community Hospital Healthcare System in Naples, Florida. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she earned her nursing diploma from St. Alexis Hospital School of Nursing. Her nursing career launched at The Cleveland Clinic hospital and with military veterans at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, as a critical care and behavioral health nurse. Relocating to Florida, she joined the Emergency/Trauma/Decon team at Lee Health System. While earning her advanced degree at Nova Southeastern University, she found a passion in public health and joined an African medical mission trip to pursue that passion. The last fourteen years have been spent as an Infection Preventionist with the goal of improving the health of the Naples community. Her interests include coastal water health in Southwest Florida, reducing risks from medical devices, and building relationships with the healthcare team.

Darlene Carey, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CIC, FAPIC

Dr. Darlene Carey currently serves as the System Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Northside Hospital Gwinnett and Duluth campuses. She also served as the recent national chair of the Practice Guidance Committee for the APIC-Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, liaison to the CDCs HICPAC-Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, and the APIC liaison to SGNA representing the Practice Guidance Committee from 2016-2018. An experienced senior level nurse professional, Dr. Carey has successfully led collaborative teams in achieving a transformational vision. Highly motivated in leading teams, her approach is strategic and collaborative and creates measurable and sustainable results. She has passion for leadership, quality, infection prevention, and process improvement; her collaboration with all disciplines of the healthcare team creates an environment for improved quality, reduced costs, and desired patient outcomes. Her systems-level thinking and approach to process improvement promotes culture change, improves practice, and provides for optimal patient outcomes.

This past year is one for the history books, and it is important to carry the lessons we learned into 2021 before closing out this chapter. Traditionally, a new year brings a fresh start for everyone, and while we resolve to accomplish personal goals, we must also recommit ourselves to the tried-and-true basics of infection prevention and control. We are kicking off 2021 with incoming APIC President Ann Marie Pettis, who joined us for a discussion on ways we can remain vigilant with infection prevention practices post-pandemic. This episode highlights proper PPE handling, a rededication to antimicrobial stewardship, and introduces APIC's new #PreventtheSpreadPledge campaign.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo, CAE

About our Guest(s):

Ann Marie Pettis, RN, BSN, CIC, FAPIC, APIC President

Ann Marie Pettis has more than 30 years of experience as an infection preventionist and she is proud to have had her certification in infection control since 1986. Most of her career has been in university and community acute care settings. Currently, she is Director of Infection Prevention for UR Medicine in Rochester, NY. She is the IP consultant for three ambulatory surgery centers and has experience consulting in both long-term and acute care. Ann Marie was a founding leader of her local APIC chapter in which she has held a variety of positions such as legislative representative and President and she continues as an active member. She received the Chapter Leadership Award in 2006. Ann Marie was also co-chair and chair of the Western New York Infection Control Organization and a member of the New York State Advisory Committee. Her involvement with national APIC, in a variety of elected and volunteer positions, has been particularly rewarding and has included Communications, Research, Annual Conference Planning, and Nominating and Awards committees. She was the APIC representative to the SHEA Compendium sections on CAUTI and CLABSI and served as a mentor for the HRET CAUTI Fellowship program. Ann Marie has lectured extensively at local, state, national, and international venues and has published in several peer review and trade journals. Most recently she is proud of being in the first group of colleagues awarded the Fellow of APIC designation.

There is a reason we like to open windows or get outside for some "fresh air." Air quality and ventilation are a big deal when we try to stop the spread of viruses that can travel in the air. It can be daunting and scary, but fear not, because Dr. Hilary Babcock and Kate Gase, infection preventionist, break down the science of airborne and droplet disease transmission. In this episode, they inform us on the factors that determine how infectious a virus or bacteria may be given various environmental factors. They emphasize the importance of following what science tells us about preventing the spread of diseases.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo

About our Guest(s):

Dr. Hilary Babcock, MD, MPH

Dr. Hilary Babcock is a Professor of Medicine in the Infectious Diseases division at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis and Medical Director of the Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Consortium and Occupational Infection Prevention for BJC HealthCare, a multi-hospital system in St Louis. She is also an associate hospital epidemiologist at Barnes Jewish Hospital.

She is a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). She is the immediate past-President of SHEA. She has been a member of HICPAC (CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee) since 2013 and is currently co-chair of the committee. She is a CDC funded investigator studying healthcare-associated infections and respiratory viral infections in healthcare settings.

Kathleen Gase, MBA, MPH, FAPIC, CIC

Kathleen (Kate) Gase is the Director of Patient Safety, Quality and Care Coordination at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals in the St. Louis, MO area. She has previous work experience with BJC HealthCare, the New York State Department of Health and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Kate earned her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, her Master's in Public Health at Hunter College in New York City, and returned to Wash U to complete her MBA. She is certified in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and is currently serving on the APIC Board of Directors.

Water is the most critical substance for all of us including those microscopic critters. The 5 Second Rule talks to expert, Dr. Janice Stout about what pathogens lurk in our water systems and when left unchecked can cause all kinds of problems for us. We all know to be on the alert when traveling but who knew that sinks, showers and ice machines can be a source of waterborne pathogens. This episode is timely given recent news of natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding that impact local water supplies as well as those created by poor management of municipal water systems.

Hosted by: Silvia Quevedo

About our Guest(s):

Janet E. Stout, PhD

Dr. Janet E. Stout is president and director of Special Pathogens Laboratory, and research associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. An infectious disease microbiologist, Dr. Stout is recognized worldwide for seminal discoveries and pioneering research in Legionella. Her expertise includes prevention and control strategies for Legionnaires' disease in building water systems. Dr. Stout's more than 30 years of research is published in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. She has also authored textbook chapters on Legionella and Legionnaires' disease, including the Legionella chapter in the APIC Text. An advocate for prevention, Dr. Stout assisted in developing the first Legionella prevention guideline (1993) in the United States, which continues to serve as a model for national and global health agencies and organizations. Additionally, she serves on the ASHRAE Legionella standard committee for Legionella Guideline 12 and the SPC 188 committee for ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems, the first U. S. standard passed in June 2015. Dr. Stout also serves on the board of directors for the Cooling Technology Institute.