What does effective leadership look like for infection preventionists (IPs) in today's healthcare landscape? In this episode, we explore the insights from the groundbreaking LEED IP study, focusing on how IPs can transition from task-based roles to systemic leaders. With guests Dr. Kayla Ruch and Dr. Al Mohajer, we discuss the significance of the Advanced Leadership Certification in Infection Prevention and Control, the barriers IPs face, and the transformative impact of formal leadership training on their professional identities. Tune in to discover how to elevate your leadership journey! With special guests: Dr. Kayla E. Ruch, PhD, MPH, CPH, HACP, CIC, Clinical Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control, Becton Dickenson (BD) and Dr. Mayar Al Mohajer, MD, MBA, CIC, AL-CIP, Professor of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine

How often do we compromise patient safety for convenience? In this episode, Nicki and Jess dive into the unsettling reality of central line access, discussing a scoping review that shows each unnecessary access increases the risk of bloodstream infections. Joined by experts Dr. Karen Brust and Mary Beth Hovda Davis, they explore effective strategies to reduce these risks and emphasize the need for a paradigm shift in healthcare practices. Tune in to discover how even small changes can lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes! With special guests: Karen Brust, MD, Hospital Epidemiologist, The University of Iowa Health Care and Mary Beth Hovda Davis, PhD, RN, VA-BC, Pediatric Nurse Scholar, The University of Iowa Health Care

Can artificial intelligence transform the way healthcare systems detect surgical site infections? Join us for a special episode of AJIC: Science Into Practice featuring our first international guest, Dr. Salma Abbas from the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore, Pakistan, as we explore innovative research comparing five large language models with traditional SSI surveillance methods. Learn how AI-driven tools demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and showed promise in supporting infection prevention efforts by reducing the burden of manual chart review while improving the efficiency and scalability of surveillance. From the future of AI in infection prevention to the importance of global innovation in healthcare epidemiology, tune in for a conversation on how this work from Pakistan could help shape the next generation of SSI surveillance worldwide.

With special guest: Salma Abbas, MD, MPH, Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine Physician, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre

What if our perceptions of hand hygiene are far from reality? In this engaging episode, hosts Nicki and Jess explore the surprising gap between self-reported and observed hand hygiene practices among healthcare professionals. Joined by infectious diseases experts Dr. Prathit Kulkarni and Dr. Barbara Trautner, they delve into psychological biases, workflow challenges, and how these factors contribute to adherence discrepancies. Tune in to uncover how improving awareness and behavior can enhance infection prevention in healthcare settings! With special guests: Prathit Kulkarni, MD, FACP, Assistant Chief of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Barbara W. Trautner, MD, PhD, Co-Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University

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 hospitalizations.

Together, they explore why so many patients are discharged to SNFs after a C. diff infection, why those coming from SNFs face higher mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher costs, and what this all means for care coordination. Additionally, they break down the stats, discuss the real-world implications, and explain how hospitals and SNFs can work together to improve outcomes for older adults. Tune in for a lively, informative conversation about the challenges and opportunities of navigating care transitions after C. diff. With special guests: Kelly R Reveles, PharmD, PhD, Associate Professor, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, Glenn S Tillotson, PhD, Partner, GST Micro, and Cory Evans, OTR/L, CEO, Clinware Solutions, Inc.

Measles is back, and when a community outbreak hit in early 2025, one children's hospital had to move fast. In this episode, hosts Nicki and Jess are joined by Chris, Christie, and Lacey to break down how their multidisciplinary team rapidly designed and implemented infection prevention strategies to protect pediatric patients, families, and staff. From emergency department screening sheds and temporary negative pressure rooms to staff education, fit testing, and coordination with public health, our guests walk through what worked, what was challenging, and the real-world lessons learned from managing a highly contagious virus in a healthcare setting. This conversation offers practical insights for infection preventionists and healthcare leaders preparing for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. With special guests:

• Lacey Kovar, MPH, CIC, Senior Infection Preventionist, Covenant Children's Hospital
• Chris Gould, MBA, Senior Director of Environment of Care, Facilities Engineering for the Texas-New Mexico Region, Covenant Health
• Christie Vandygriff, MSIPE, BSN, RN, Senior Manager of Infection Prevention, Covenant Health

Have you ever tackled a complex job without a manual? In this episode, we dive into the reality of infection prevention training and explore how variability in orientation impacts CIC preparedness among infection preventionists in Texas. The conversation highlights a heavy reliance on on-the-job training, limited use of standardized onboarding tools, and significant disparities in certification, particularly among rural and non-acute care professionals. Join hosts Nicki and Jess as they unpack why structured resources like the APIC Novice Roadmap and APIC Text matter. We also hear key insights from Dr. Kayla Ruch, who shares firsthand experiences and actionable solutions to strengthen training pathways, improve CIC readiness, and support a more resilient infection prevention workforce.

With special guest: Kayla Ruch, PhD, MPH, CPH, HACP, CIC, Senior Instructional Developer for Infection Prevention and Control, Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI)

Can a simple nasal antiseptic protect ICU patients from deadly MRSA infections? This episode dives into how a Michigan hospital team reduced bloodstream infections with a twice-daily antiseptic, why it worked, and what it takes to implement this approach. With expert insights and real-world challenges, this is prevention in action, right under your nose.

With special guests:

• Sarah Prascius, MPH, CIC, Infection Prevention Specialist, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital - Michigan
• Alex Wells, MPH, CIC, CPHQ, Manager of Safety and Reliability, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital - Michigan
• Tricia Stein, MD, FIDSA, FACP, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship and Chief of the Infectious Disease Section, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital - Michigan

Can benchmarking data actually improve antibiotic prescribing for kids? In this episode of AJIC: Science into Practice, hosts Nicki and Jess talk with Dr. Rana El Feghaly and Dr. Matthew Kronman about how collaborative reporting, smart guidelines, and EMR nudges help reduce unnecessary prescriptions. Hear how 22 institutions are reshaping outpatient stewardship with one smarter antibiotic choice at a time.

With special guests:

• Rana El Feghaly, MD, MSCI, CPHQ, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Physician, Infectious Diseases Clinical Director, Pediatric Department Director of Quality and Safety, Children's Mercy Kansas City
• Matthew P. Kronman, MD, MSCE, Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Associate Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington

How did a soil-dwelling parasite infiltrate a New York care facility? Hosts Jess and Nicki dig into a real-life outbreak of Strongyloides stercoralis with experts Kelly Barrett and Dr. Geetika Sood. What began as an unexpected lab finding spiraled into 17 confirmed infections across residents and staff. Tune in for sharp insights, big data talk, and infection prevention lessons you won't want to miss.

With special guests:

Kelly Ann Barrett, MPH, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, New York State Department of Health and Geetika Sood, M.D., ScM, Medical Director, New York State Division of Epidemiology