#71 APIC25 Spotlight: Improving HLD Reprocessing Reliability and Reimagining Hand Hygiene
5 Second Rule
What do therapy dogs and data-driven strategies have in common? They're both helping to move the needle on patient safety. In this APIC 2025 Annual Conference recap, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard spotlight two infection prevention pros. Maria Vacca shares how her hospital centralized high-level disinfection to boost safety and efficiency. Later in the episode, Rachel Hyatt unveils a heartwarming initiative that taps into the charm of therapy dogs to revolutionize hand hygiene compliance. Hosted by: Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB About our...
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#70 Elevating Infection Prevention: Unveiling the Power of the AL-CIP Certification
5 Second Rule
Want to elevate your infection prevention career? Dive into this inspiring episode with Gail Fraine and Dr. Mayar Al Mohajer as they explore the value, purpose, and impact of the Advanced Leadership Certification in Infection Prevention (AL-CIP). Learn how this credential empowers professionals to lead change, drive outcomes, and shape healthcare policy. Get tips for submission success and hear firsthand experiences from these certified leaders! Hosted by: Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB About our Guests: Gail Fraine, CIC, LTC-CIP, AL-CIP Gail Fraine is...
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#69 The Measles Comeback Tour: Are You Ready?
5 Second Rule
Are you ready for measles to walk through your doors? In this episode of the 5 Second Rule, hosts Kelly and Lerenza talk with experts Tiffany Dogan and Pam Falk about the measles resurgence in the U.S., response strategies, and how infection preventionists can act fast. Discover powerful tools like the APIC measles playbook and the updated APIC Text Chapter, plus real-life stories, insights, and frontline tips to keep your team informed and ready. Hosted by: Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB About our Guests: Pamela Falk, MPH, CIC, FSHEA, FAPIC Pam Falk...
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#68 Expert Review: A Deep Dive Into APIC’s CAUTI Implementation Guide
5 Second Rule
In this episode, our hosts chat with Dr. Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos and Frankie Catalfumo about APIC’s updated CAUTI Implementation Guide and the collaborative efforts behind it. They share the guide’s origins and what inspired the guide, highlight key prevention strategies, and debunk some common misconceptions about CAUTI in healthcare. Tune in to hear the discussion about real-world implementation challenges, the distinction between essential and additional practices, and how the new tools were designed to enhance process improvement. Get inspired to “partner harder” and strengthen...
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#67 Global Infection Control: Strategies, Challenges and the Future of Healthcare
5 Second Rule
How do infection prevention strategies vary across the globe? In this episode, Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard talk with infection control experts Dr. Filippo Medioli from Italy and Dr. Tatiana Izakovic from Slovakia. They explore how cultural attitudes, institutional policies, and limited resources shape infection control efforts worldwide. The conversation also compares how hospitals in different countries train and staff their infection prevention teams. Key topics include antimicrobial stewardship, the lasting impact of COVID-19 on protocols, and how innovations like AI and diagnostic...
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#66 Silent Spread: Unmasking the Kansas Tuberculosis Outbreak
5 Second Rule
Tuberculosis remains a pressing public health challenge, with recent outbreaks highlighting its persistent threat. In this episode infectious disease expert Dr. Matt Shoemaker dives into the TB outbreak in Kansas. He unpacks the complexities of its transmission, the symptoms to watch for, and the obstacles faced in controlling its spread. Explore how public health officials are tackling this crisis, the crucial role of identifying latent TB cases, and the broader influence of policy on prevention. Join us for an eye-opening discussion on combating this enduring health concern. Hosted by: Kelly...
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#65 Crafting Your IP Future: Strategies for Career Advancement in Infection Prevention
5 Second Rule
What’s the next step in your career as an IP? Join hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard as they explore APIC’s Career Development and Advancement Guide with experts Chris Zirges and Angel Mueller. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you evaluate your skills, build a standout professional portfolio, and navigate every career stage—from paraprofessional to executive. Whether you’re looking to grow your influence or take the leap into a new role, this empowering discussion will give you the tools to shape your future as an IP. Tune in and take your career to the...
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#64 Infection Prevention Across Borders: A Conversation With Dr. Carol McLay, APIC’s 2025 President
5 Second Rule
Tune into this episode of the 5 Second Rule Podcast where hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes interview Dr. Carol McLay, a leading infection prevention expert and 2025 APIC President. Hear about Dr. McLay's inspiring career journey including her experiences during the AIDS epidemic and the Ebola outbreak. Listen to her vision to strengthen infection prevention and control programs during her term as the 2025 APIC President. Join us for a captivating conversation on lifelong learning, global health, and sustainable preparedness. Hosted by: Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA,...
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#63 IP Strategic Partnership: The Critical Role of Infection Preventionists As Advocates in Sterile Processing – Featuring Rebecca Taylor Alvino
5 Second Rule
In this special holiday edition, hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes welcome Rebecca Taylor Alvino, a board-certified infection preventionist and perioperative nurse at UCSF Health. Rebecca shares her inspiring journey from a public health background to a focused career in surgical infection prevention. Rebecca dives into the challenges of infection control, innovative technologies, and key performance indicators that enhance productivity and minimize immediate-use steam sterilization. Rebecca offers practical advice for infection preventionists when rounding in the sterile processing...
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#62 Confronting the Storm: Infection Control in the Eye of a Hurricane
5 Second Rule
In the 5 Second Rule podcast by APIC, hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes discuss infection prevention and control in the context of hurricanes with professionals, Lori Crow and Cindy Prins. From sharing personal experiences to breaking down the role of infection preventionists in such situations, the podcast covers a wide range of topics - from maintaining food safety during power outages to averting mold growth post-flooding. Listen to the IPC experts shed insights on the crucial role played by IPs and infection prevention measures during a hurricane. Hosted by: Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC,...
info_outlineHear about the intricacies of healthcare equity in this episode of the 5 Second Rule podcast, hosted by Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard. We welcome Caldwell Lewin and Jessica Tarabay from the APIC Health Equity Committee, diving deep into topics such as health equity, disparities, and crucial infection prevention strategies. Listen now to gain valuable insights into pressing concerns in the healthcare landscape.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guests:
Jessica Tarabay, MPH, MHR, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC
Jessica Tarabay holds a background in public health and epidemiology. Jessica joined Emory Healthcare in May of 2019. She is a purposely driven quality, patient safety, and infection prevention leader with 10 years of healthcare experience identifying areas of improvement through interdisciplinary collaboration, data analysis, and implementing strategies critical for successful outcomes. Jessica is a fellow of APIC, has published and presented on a variety of topics in infection prevention and control, and serves as the Chair of the National APIC Health Equity Committee and 2023 President of the Greater Atlanta Georgia APIC Chapter. Jessica was the recipient of the 2021 March of Dimes “Friend of Nurse” award in Georgia and is a current doctoral candidate in the DrPH program at the University of Georgia.
Caldwell Lewin, MSN, RN, CIC, CPHQ
Caldwell Lewin is a dedicated healthcare professional with extensive experience in nursing and infection prevention and control. Currently working as an Operating Room Registered Nurse, Caldwell has a diverse background, having previously served as the Infection Prevention and Control system manager for Sentara Healthcare, a system encompassing 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina.
Caldwell’s expertise in Infection Prevention and Control spans various settings, including acute care, critical access hospitals, rural health clinics, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers. She has served as a board member for the APIC chapter in New Orleans and participated on the National APIC Health Inequity and Disparities task force. Currently, she co-chairs the APIC Health Equity Committee, demonstrating her commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare practices.