Redefining a Perfect Survey: Great Outcomes from Bad Surveys
Release Date: 09/22/2025
The Skills You Won’t Find in Textbooks
Transmission Control
What does it really take to succeed in infection prevention when the playbook isn't clear? In this episode of the Transmission Control Podcast, we sit down with Whitney Daum to explore the human skills of IP leadership that matter just as much as the data. Whitney shares how her background in nursing, public health, and education shapes the way she builds trust, navigates uncertainty, and leads with influence rather than authority. From reading the room and asking better questions to knowing when to pivot in construction meetings, outbreak responses, or high-stakes conversations with clinical...
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Scope of Innovation: Single-Use Solutions for Surgical Success
Transmission Control
Perfect imaging every time. No repairs. No reprocessing. Could single-use arthroscopes be the answer? On this special Beyond Clean, First Case, Power Supply, and Transmission Control Vendor Spotlight™ co-release episode, we're joined by Rich McKillop, CEO of Pristine Surgical, to explore how their Summit™ 4K Single-Use Arthroscope is redefining what efficiency looks like in the OR. Learn how this single-use solution delivers consistent 4K image clarity while eliminating the time, labor, and costs associated with scope reprocessing and repairs. Through smart, cloud-connected technology...
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Building the Next Generation of Infection Preventionists
Transmission Control
Breaking into infection prevention can feel impossible without prior experience. But how do you get that experience if no one will hire you first? In this episode of the Transmission Control Podcast, Garrett and Jill are joined by Infection Preventionist, Paul Gentile, to tackle one of the biggest gaps in the IP workforce: meaningful, hands-on internships. Paul shares his own unconventional path into infection prevention and explains how early shadowing shaped his career. He walks us through a practical internship model built around the APIC competency framework, designed to move beyond...
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Strengthening the Future of Infection Prevention Through APIC Leadership
Transmission Control
This week on the Transmission Control podcast, Garrett and Jill sit down with Aaron Woodall, newly elected APIC Board Member and longtime federal IP leader, for an honest conversation about where the IP field is headed—and what it will take to move it forward. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience across the Army, DoD, and VA, Aaron shares why he chose to step into national leadership and what gaps still exist in how infection prevention is supported, resourced, and understood. Along the way, Aaron offers a clear look at the collective responsibility of the IP community—and what...
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One Percent Wins: Building a Strong IP Program in a Critical Access Hospital
Transmission Control
In this episode of the Transmission Control podcast, Garrett and Jill sit down with Emily Barnard, Infection Prevention Manager at Mountains Community Hospital, for a candid look at what it really takes to rebuild an infection prevention (IP) program in a rural, resource-limited setting. Emily shares what it was like stepping into a hospital with no dedicated IP for more than two years—and how she didn’t waste a minute getting to work. From Gemba walks and real-time observation to relationship-building on the front lines, she breaks down the practical moves that helped uncover gaps and...
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Research, Reality, and the DHSc: Dr. Lerenza Howard on Leveling Up in IP
Transmission Control
What does it look like to become an IP with a terminal degree? In this episode of Transmission Control’s Victory Lap series, Garrett Hollembeak and Jill Holdsworth sit down with Dr. Lerenza Howard, Manager of Infection Prevention, Employee Health, and Quality Improvement at La Rabida Children’s Hospital. Dr. Lerenza guides us through her journey to earning her doctorate in Health Science while working full-time in IP, raising a family, and staying active in professional organizations. She shares how doctoral training sharpened her research skills, transformed how she approaches...
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Point Proven: Winning the Race Against Candida auris
Transmission Control
If Candida auris can spread silently through your facility, how do you stop it before it spreads too far? In this episode of Transmission Control, Blake Thomas, MPH, joins hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Jill Holdsworth to break down how point prevalence surveys (PPS) are a critical tool in identifying hidden transmission and containing risk. From setting clear screening criteria—like LTC/SNF exposure or missed isolation—to coordinating with lab, nursing, ID, and EVS teams, Blake shares how his team built a repeatable process for outbreak prevention. You'll hear how they overcame PPE fatigue,...
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From Citations to Celebration: How EVS Tech Transformed Compliance
Transmission Control
What does it actually take for EVS to finish on the podium—clean rooms, clean data, and a clean survey? On this Season 3 premiere of Transmission Control, we welcome Allen Cooper and Kyle Piccirello to break down how a frontline culture and the right technology turned chronic pain points into measurable wins at a major medical center. From daily huddles and color-coded bins to real-time documentation and transparent dashboards, they share how standardizing processes improved isolation signage compliance, terminal clean checks, and UVC use—while fueling antimicrobial stewardship meetings...
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The Infection Preventionist’s Playbook for Survey Readiness
Transmission Control
We’re closing out Season 2 of the Transmission Control podcast with Joi A. McMillon, whose bold, visual posts on survey readiness have taken IP social media by storm. In this episode, Joi breaks down her “everyday readiness” playbook—showing how IPs can move from reactive prep to proactive excellence long before surveyors arrive. She shares how just-in-time training, focused micro-audits, and night/weekend coverage can become lasting habits that drive safer outcomes year-round. You’ll hear real tactics for engaging reluctant staff (including turning low performers into “secret...
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Requirements vs. Recommendations: How Do You Know the Difference?
Transmission Control
What’s the real difference between a requirement and a recommendation—and why does it matter so much during a survey? In this episode of Transmission Control, hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Jill Holdsworth sit down with Sylvia Garcia-Houchins, former Director of Infection Prevention and Control at The Joint Commission, to decode one of the most misunderstood parts of accreditation. Sylvia breaks down how to tell a law from a guideline, what happens when IFUs cite AAMI standards, and the risk of writing “should” or “shall” into your policies without realizing what it means. She shares...
info_outlineWhat if the real measure of a “perfect survey” wasn’t zero citations, but lasting improvements to patient safety? On this episode of Transmission Control, we welcome Ericka Kalp—an infection preventionist and epidemiologist with more than 20 years of experience—to explore how even the most challenging survey moments can drive meaningful change. From hallway shortcuts that raise red flags to the culture shifts that transform compliance into continuous improvement, Ericka shares practical strategies for reframing survey outcomes. Whether your team is recent survey wins or recovering from a tough citation, this conversation will help you see surveys not as a minefield, but as an opportunity to strengthen your infection prevention program.
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