Category: Latest Articles from KyIP

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…

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…

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…

Read KyIPs 2024 Annual Report. KyIP Annual Report for 2024Download

With spring in full swing, many of us are planning trips to beautiful destinations. Whether you’re heading to the mountains, the beach, or simply enjoying a staycation, you likely conduct a mental risk assessment before you go. What’s the weather forecast—should you pack a sweatshirt? Do you plan to fly—do you need extra clothes in your carry-on? Are you taking your car- does your car need maintenance before a long drive? These small but important considerations help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. The same principle applies when conducting an annual risk assessment for your infection prevention program. What pathogens pose a threat in your facility? Are effective processes in place to prevent their spread? What infections are you monitoring? Do you have prevention bundles to help reduce rates? IF…

As 2024 comes to a close, we at Kentucky Infection Prevention Training Center wanted to reflect on the progress we’ve made together and express our gratitude for your dedication and commitment to continuous learning. This year has been one of transformation, growth, and resilience in healthcare and we are honored to have been part of your educational journey. Over the past year, our team came together to strengthen infection prevention and control. Check out some of the highlights from 2024!   10 Newsletters (News and Articles - Kentucky Infection Prevention Training Center) RSV Holiday Travel and Health Pertussis Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month Back-To-School Health Tips Summer Skin Infections HPV IP Steps for a Safe Summer Measles Spring Illnesses   3 IP Educational Series (Preventative Measures Series - Kentucky Infection…

As we kick off 2025, the Kentucky Infection Prevention Training Center remains dedicated to providing impactful and practical training tailored to your needs. To achieve this, we need your input! We invite you to participate in our 2025 Learning Needs Assessment. This quick survey is your chance to tell us what topics and skills you want to see covered in our future trainings. Your feedback directly shapes the programs we create and ensures we’re meeting your needs. In 2024, the responses we received guided us in developing some of our most impactful trainings, including focused sessions on foodborne illnesses. wound care, and many more through CE development and educational webinars. We also continued programs, like our Infection Prevention Boot Camp, which covered critical topics like compliance, diagnostic stewardship, and enhanced…