#62 Confronting the Storm: Infection Control in the Eye of a Hurricane
Release Date: 11/12/2024
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...
info_outline #62 Confronting the Storm: Infection Control in the Eye of a Hurricane5 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_outline #61 Moving the Needle on Health Equity and Healthcare5 Second Rule
Hear 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...
info_outline #60 Community Health Heroes: Unpacking the Missouri Kids IPC Toolkit5 Second Rule
In the latest episode of the 5 Second Rule podcast, guest Chris Smith delves into the collaboration between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and APIC, resulting in the development of a school-based IPC Toolkit for Missouri Schools. This initiative equips the school community with valuable resources to enhance infection prevention practices in K-12 schools. Learn more about the toolkit's components, the TEAMS (Training, Education, Assistance, Mentorship, and Support) model approach, impact assessment through pre/post evaluations, and its potential to enhance population...
info_outline #59 Decoding the 2024 Infection Control Updates: A Deep Dive With The Joint Commission Expert Natalya Rosenberg5 Second Rule
Are you up to date with the latest Infection Control Updates for 2024? Tune into the Five Second Rule Podcast, where hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard discuss these crucial updates with Natalya Rosenberg from The Joint Commission. Gain insights into competency-based training, protocols for high-consequence pathogens, ensuring vendor compliance, tips for conflicting MIFUs, and the role of leadership in ensuring quality in contracted services. Don't miss the invaluable perspectives and advice that could greatly benefit your health organization! Hosted by: Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and...
info_outline #58 Live in San Antonio5 Second Rule
Listen in as our hosts, Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes, interview the authors of three impactful oral and poster presentations live at the 2024 APIC Annual Conference in San Antonio. Learn about a multi-prong approach to enhance outcomes in a dental unit, insights from a pediatric measles outbreak, and the adoption of a veterinary occupational and infection control assessment for enhanced safety. Discover more details on each presentation in our Further Resources section. Hosted by: Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC About our Guests: Andrea Lombard, RN, BSN, MPH,...
info_outline #57 IP Strategic Partnership: Diving Into Occupational Health With Allison Zelikoff5 Second Rule
In this insightful podcast, nurse manager Allison Zelikoff explores the history and importance of occupational health, its partnership with infection prevention, and how she found her calling in this field. Find out more about the critical role of occupational health in promoting workplace safety and the challenges this discipline faces including administrative and financial barriers. Listen in to understand the future of occupational health and the crucial connection it maintains with infection prevention. Hosted by: Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC About our...
info_outline #56 Pulling Back the Curtain on the APIC Abstract Review Process With Trent MacAllister5 Second Rule
In this episode of the Five Second Rule podcast, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard speak with Trent MacAllister, Infection Preventionist at the Washington State Department of Health and APIC Annual Conference Committee member. He shares insights into the abstract review process for the APIC Annual Conference. Trent provides information on how to submit speaker proposals and abstract submissions, discusses common mistakes in submissions, and explains how the committee determines oral presentations versus poster presentations. This episode offers invaluable tips for those looking to...
info_outline #55 Nipping Infections in the Bud: Spotlight on IPs in Long-Term Care5 Second Rule
Explore the world of infection prevention and control in the long-term care sector on APIC's 5 Second Rule podcast. This episode features A.C. Burke, a veteran of the public health and healthcare sectors, who shares her passion for infection control in long-term care facilities. From issues of staffing and burnout to the ongoing need for roles dedicated to IP, Burke provides unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing IPs in long-term care. Tune in to understand more about the importance of infection prevention in these critical healthcare settings, where the need to balance...
info_outline #54 From MRSA to Influence: A Patient’s Path to Advocacy5 Second Rule
In this engaging episode of the Five Second Rule podcast, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard converse with patient advocate Rosie Bartel, sharing her incredible battle with a persistent MRSA infection, which began as a complication of knee replacement surgery. As a survivor and activist, Rosie's brave story takes us through her grueling journey of surmounting multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, and amputations, underscoring the importance of patient perspective in healthcare and infection control. Listen in to learn more about her crucial role in infection prevention advocacy and the...
info_outlineIn 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, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC
About our Guests:
Cindy Prins, PhD, MPH, CIC, CPH, FSHEA
Dr. Cindy Prins is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine at the University of Central Florida, and is part of the UCF Infectious Disease and Travel Health Initiative. She is an infectious disease epidemiologist whose research focuses on infection prevention and control in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings, and on compliance with vaccine recommendations. Dr. Prins is Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) and Public Health (CPH) and is a Fellow of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (FSHEA).
Lori Zeringue Crow, MPH, MS, CPH
Lori holds a background in both microbiology and public health. After a career as a college microbiology instructor, Lori pivoted her path into public health by going back to school to obtain her MPH. Lori now works in public health emergency preparedness and response at a state health department. In that capacity, Lori is trained to prepare for and respond to all types of hazards that can impact public health. Two of the most common types of hazards her department encounters are hurricanes and flooding. Lori’s experience with the devastation that hurricanes can bring is not only professional, but also personal as she has lived most of her life on the Gulf Coast. Lori believes infection prevention plays a role in minimizing the impact hurricanes can have on people. She combines her microbiology and public health background to advocate for the inclusion of infection control in hurricane preparedness and response
Further Resources:
- How to build an emergency kit by Ready.gov
- General public health messaging before, during, and after hurricanes and floods. Covers food safety, mold, proper care of wounds, safe water, waterborne diseases: CDC Preparedness and Safety Messaging for Hurricanes, Flooding, and Similar Disasters
- CDC’s Safe and Healthy Diapering for Emergency Settings and Shelters fact sheet
- CDC’s Preventing Diarrheal Illness After a Disaster fact sheet
- APIC’s Infection Prevention and Control for Shelters during Disasters
- Creating a food safety plan for hurricane season: Foodsafety.gov
- 2023 APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force: Infection Prevention and Control for Shelters During Disasters
- Emergency Water Supply Planning Guide for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities, 2019