08Sep 2025 by Chelsea Song
The Critical Role of EVS in Preventing the Spread of Infection

The Critical Role of EVS in Preventing the Spread of Infection

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Environmental cleaning is one of the most essential actions taken to prevent the spread of illness. Because pathogens are not visible to the naked eye, cleaning every area is necessary. While any staff member can keep patient areas clean, trained EVS workers perform thorough cleaning and disinfection. In order to remove pathogens, EVS staff work methodically to clean and disinfect within the healthcare environment. This must be done with the appropriate cleaning or disinfecting product. It is also crucial to know which areas are most likely to be contaminated, as those areas need disinfection that is more frequent. CDC High Touch Surfaces Pathogens can live on surfaces for months How long do pathogens live on surfaces. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains lists of approved disinfectants, which can be searched…
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25Aug 2025 by Chelsea Song
KYWSS: Using Cues to Anticipate Viral Trends

KYWSS: Using Cues to Anticipate Viral Trends

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Join Kentucky Infection Prevention Training Center (KyIP) and the KYWSS Environmental & Occupational Countermeasures Program Manager from the KY Department for Public Health for a free webinar. About the WebinarThe Kentucky Wastewater Surveillance System (KYWSS) is a critical tool for tracking and anticipating viral trends across the Commonwealth. By analyzing wastewater samples, KYWSS provides valuable early cues of community-level infection activity—helping healthcare providers, public health professionals, and policymakers prepare for and respond to outbreaks more effectively.This session will highlight how KYWSS works, current applications in Kentucky, and the system’s role in strengthening infectious disease surveillance and preparedness.Date: September 16, 2025Time: 12:00–1:00 PM ESTLocation: Virtual (Zoom link provided after registration)Guest Speaker: Dr. Nancy E. Johnson, DrPH, MSPH, CIHWhile this is a free webinar, registration is required.  Click here to register Dr. Nancy…
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05Aug 2025 by Chelsea Song
Respiratory Season Readiness: Infection Prevention Tips for Healthcare Teams

Respiratory Season Readiness: Infection Prevention Tips for Healthcare Teams

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Respiratory season is upon us once again, bringing an increased risk of illnesses such as influenza, RSV, and other viral infections. As an infection prevention professional, now is the time to ensure that your teams, patients, and communities are ready. Reinforce your facility’s infection prevention plan, review respiratory hygiene protocols, and help others understand the critical role of everyday precautions in limiting the spread of respiratory illnesses. Take time to assess your facility’s readiness by ensuring that respiratory hygiene stations are well-stocked with masks for patient use, signage is visible, and staff are trained to recognize and respond to respiratory symptoms quickly. Foster open communication so everyone feels empowered to report concerns and follow prevention measures consistently. Encourage vaccination among staff and patients, as immunizations remain the most effective way…
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25Jun 2025 by Chelsea Song
Keeping New Employees Safe and Healthy

Keeping New Employees Safe and Healthy

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It’s a busy time of year for employee health! Recent graduates from nursing and medical school are entering the field of healthcare. These folks bring energy, skill, and new potential to your healthcare team. But before they can jump into patient care, there is an essential stop the must make: Employee Health. Employee Health (EH) plays a critical role in onboarding safely and efficiently, ensuring that new staff are protected, cleared to work, and ready to join the healthcare team. Incomplete records or missed steps can delay start dates, create patient safety risks, or lead to gaps in care. In this newsletter, we break down what new hires will likely need to meet EH requirements—and how you can help set them up for success. Here’s what your new staff must…
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