In this episode of the ICHE Podcast, guests discuss the prevention and management of infections in obstetrical populations, with a focus on Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections. Hosted by ICHE Editor-in-Chief, Dr. David Calfee, the episode features Dr. John Conly, Dr. Shandra R. Day, and Dr. Kiran M. Perkins. The discussion begins with an overview of GAS infections in healthcare settings, particularly in the peripartum period, highlighting the unique challenges associated with these infections. The guests explore strategies for healthcare-associated GAS infection prevention, including practical approaches and solutions to overcome implementation barriers. Each expert shares insights from their recent research, addressing questions their studies aimed to answer, the methods they used, key findings, important limitations, and the broader implications of their work for infection prevention. Together, they emphasize the importance of understanding risks specific to labor and delivery units and the critical need for evidence-based practices to mitigate these risks. The episode concludes with actionable advice from each guest, providing concrete steps facilities can take to assess and reduce the risk of GAS infections in obstetrical settings. Following the episode, be sure to visit cambridge.org/iche to access the research featured in this episode.

In this episode of the ICHE podcast, we explore the theme of respiratory culturing appropriateness in pediatric patients, emphasizing diagnostic stewardship's role in optimizing patient outcomes. Host David Calfee, MD, MS and guest experts, Kathleen Chiotos, MD, MSCE and Edward Lyon, DO, MA, share insights on how stewardship practices can refine respiratory testing in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), where evidence suggests these tests are often overused without clinical benefit. They examine challenges in implementing stewardship, including barriers like resistance to change and logistical issues, and discuss practical strategies to overcome these obstacles.

The conversation highlights two recent studies published in ICHE: Dr. Lyon's work on repeat tracheal aspirate cultures in PICUs, which analyzes their frequency, resistance patterns, and impact on antimicrobial use, and Dr. Chiotos's study on a tracheal aspirate culture stewardship intervention, examining its effect in a tertiary PICU. Both authors discuss their studies' methodologies, findings, limitations, and implications for future practice.

To wrap up, each expert offers actionable recommendations for healthcare professionals interested in improving respiratory culturing practices at their institutions, providing practical steps to enhance safety and care efficiency. Full versions of the articles discussed in this episode are available in the September issue of ICHE.

In this episode of The ICHE Podcast, we explore the use of mathematical modeling to understand the impact of different infection prevention strategies in healthcare settings. Our expert panel, featuring Daniel K. Sewell, Rachel B. Slayton, and Samuel Cincotta, delves into how modeling studies can inform healthcare decision-making by evaluating the effectiveness of various prevention approaches.

The discussion covers the basic principles of modeling, commonly used methods, and the key limitations healthcare professionals need to consider when interpreting these studies. Additionally, we examine the CDC’s Modeling Infectious Diseases in Healthcare Network (MInD-Healthcare) to understand the role of this initiative in improving infection prevention strategies.

Key topics include understanding what mathematical modeling is, how to read and interpret modeling studies, the basic methods and terminology used, and the limitations of modeling. Our panelists also walk through individual research studies, addressing research questions, methods, findings, and limitations.

Tune in for practical insights into how mathematical modeling is shaping the future of infection prevention in healthcare settings.

In this episode of the ICHE Podcast, we delve into the topic of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), focusing on healthcare-associated infections and transmission. Our expert panel of authors from recently published ICHE papers includes Anthony Harris, MD, MPH, Elise Martin, MD, MS, and Philip M. Polgreen, MD, MPH. Listen as they discuss the prevalence of these infections, the risks they pose, and the strategies that can be employed to reduce transmission in both healthcare settings and households. At the conclusion of today’s episode, each participant offers a practical, actionable recommendation for listeners.

On this episode of The ICHE Podcast, Editor-in-Chief, David Calfee, MD, MS is joined by Sebastian Arenas, MPH, CIC, Ian Hennessee, PhD, MPH, and Leigh Smith, MD, MAS. Today's episode discusses three papers from the June issue of ICHE on the topic of Candida auris. We begin the podcast with a general discussion on Candida auris including why this particular Candida species of such great concern, what we know about transmission and risk factors for colonization and/or infection, and what interventions can be used to reduce risk of transmission and/or infection. Each of our guests describe their research study and offer insights on the findings, limitations, and implications of their research. After listening, be sure to visit cambridge.org/iche to read the full articles featured in today’s episode.

On this episode of The ICHE Podcast, Editor-in-Chief, David Calfee, MD, MS is joined by Alison L. Nelson, DO, Sharon B. Wright, MD, MPH, Tania N. Bubb, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC, and Thomas R. Talbot, MD, MPH. Today's episode addresses the timely topic of sustaining and growing the IPC workforce. Listen as our esteemed panelists discuss what we know about current and/or predicted IPC workforce shortages, challenges to maintaining and growing the IPC workforce, and strategies for achieving a more sustainable workforce. Additionally, Drs. Nelson and Wright discuss two articles from the May issue of ICHE that address this topic, “Revitalizing the infection prevention workforce with a fellowship program for underrepresented groups,” and “National survey of infectious disease fellowship program directors: A call for subspecialized training in infection prevention and control and healthcare epidemiology.” After listening, be sure to visit cambridge.org/iche to read the full articles featured in today’s episode.

On this episode of The ICHE Podcast, Editor-in-Chief, David Calfee, MD, MS is joined by Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, Jasmine R. Marcelin, MD, FACP, FIDSA, and Caitlin McGrath, MD, MS. Today's episode explores DEI in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship as our guests discuss their recent articles in ICHE and highlight ICHE’s dedicated section on DEI. Listen as our guests discuss various health equity concepts and associated terminology, how they apply to HAI risk and AMR risk, important areas of focus for future research, and what we can do today to help mitigate current disparities and inequities. After listening, be sure to visit cambridge.org/iche to read the full articles featured in today’s episode.

On this episode of The ICHE Podcast, Editor-in-Chief, David Calfee, MD, MS is joined by guests Danielle Rankin, PhD, Bobby Warren, MPS, and Becky Smith, MD. Today's episode in on several papers in the March issue of ICHE that discuss role of sink and drain contamination in pathogen transmission. Listen as our guests discuss how common this type of contamination is, how it occurs, and the effects it can have on patient colonization and infection. Our guests discuss what to think about when evaluating our sinks and drains as well as interventions proven to reduce the risk of transmission related to contaminated sinks/drains. After listening, be sure to visit cambridge.org/iche to read the full articles featured in today’s episode.

On this episode of The ICHE Podcast, Editor-in-Chief, David Calfee, MD, MS is joined by an esteemed panel to talk about whole genome sequencing in infection prevention and control programs. Guests on today’s episode are Andie Lee, MBBS, Sebastiaan Van Hal, PhD, Graham Snyder, MD, MS, Alexander J. Sundermann, DrPH, CIC, and Waleed Javaid, MD. Listen as they discuss whole genome sequencing and molecular typing, resources needs for whole genome sequencing, other molecular/genetic typing methods, how whole genome sequencing can be used in infection prevention and surveillance, current knowledge gaps, and key considerations to keep in mind when thinking about how and when to bring whole genome sequencing into an IP&C program. After listening, be sure to visit cambridge.org/iche to read the full articles featured in today’s episode.

On this episode of The ICHE Podcast, Editor-in-Chief, David Calfee, MD, MS is joined by guests Westyn Branch-Elliman, MD, Kalvin Yu, MD, Raymund Dantes, MD, MPH, Adrian Schmid, MD, and David Classen, MD, MS. Today's topic is the future of HAI surveillance. Listen as our guests discuss why surveillance is important, current surveillance strategies, and what’s next in HAI surveillance methodology. Drs. Yu and Dantes discuss their recently published study addressing CDI as an example of potential feasibility and benefits of dQMs. Dr. Schmid also discusses his recently published paper addressing a potential use of AI for HAI surveillance. After listening, be sure to visit cambridge.org/iche to read the full articles featured in today’s episode.