American Journal of Infection Control: Science Into Practice

Can artificial intelligence transform the way healthcare systems detect surgical site infections? Join us for a special episode of AJIC: Science Into Practice featuring our first international guest, Dr. Salma Abbas from the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore, Pakistan, as we explore innovative research comparing five large language models with traditional SSI surveillance methods. Learn how AI-driven tools demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and showed promise in supporting infection prevention efforts by reducing the burden of manual chart review while improving the efficiency and scalability of surveillance. From the future of AI in infection prevention to the importance of global innovation in healthcare epidemiology, tune in for a conversation on how this work from Pakistan could help shape the next generation of SSI surveillance worldwide.
With special guest:
Salma Abbas, MD, MPH, Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine Physician, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre

What if our perceptions of hand hygiene are far from reality? In this engaging episode, hosts Nicki and Jess explore the surprising gap between self-reported and observed hand hygiene practices among healthcare professionals. Joined by infectious diseases experts Dr. Prathit Kulkarni and Dr. Barbara Trautner, they delve into psychological biases, workflow challenges, and how these factors contribute to adherence discrepancies. Tune in to uncover how improving awareness and behavior can enhance infection prevention in healthcare settings!

With special guests:
Prathit Kulkarni, MD, FACP, Assistant Chief of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Barbara W. Trautner, MD, PhD, Co-Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University

Join Nicki and Jess as they dive into the journey of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections as patients move between hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). They're joined by special guests Kelly, Glenn, and Cory, who help unpack insights from a massive U.S. study of over 86,000 hospitalizations.
Together, they explore why so many patients are discharged to SNFs after a C. diff infection, why those coming from SNFs face higher mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher costs, and what this all means for care coordination.
Additionally, they break down the stats, discuss the real-world implications, and explain how hospitals and SNFs can work together to improve outcomes for older adults. Tune in for a lively, informative conversation about the challenges and opportunities of navigating care transitions after C. diff.

With special guests:
Kelly R Reveles, PharmD, PhD, Associate Professor, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, Glenn S Tillotson, PhD, Partner, GST Micro, and Cory Evans, OTR/L, CEO, Clinware Solutions, Inc.

Measles is back, and when a community outbreak hit in early 2025, one children's hospital had to move fast. In this episode, hosts Nicki and Jess are joined by Chris, Christie, and Lacey to break down how their multidisciplinary team rapidly designed and implemented infection prevention strategies to protect pediatric patients, families, and staff. From emergency department screening sheds and temporary negative pressure rooms to staff education, fit testing, and coordination with public health, our guests walk through what worked, what was challenging, and the real-world lessons learned from managing a highly contagious virus in a healthcare setting. This conversation offers practical insights for infection preventionists and healthcare leaders preparing for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.

With special guests:
Lacey Kovar, MPH, CIC, Senior Infection Preventionist, Covenant Children's Hospital
Chris Gould, MBA, Senior Director of Environment of Care, Facilities Engineering for the Texas-New Mexico Region, Covenant Health
Christie Vandygriff, MSIPE, BSN, RN, Senior Manager of Infection Prevention, Covenant Health

Have you ever tackled a complex job without a manual? In this episode, we dive into the reality of infection prevention training and explore how variability in orientation impacts CIC preparedness among infection preventionists in Texas. The conversation highlights a heavy reliance on on-the-job training, limited use of standardized onboarding tools, and significant disparities in certification, particularly among rural and non-acute care professionals. Join hosts Nicki and Jess as they unpack why structured resources like the APIC Novice Roadmap and APIC Text matter. We also hear key insights from Dr. Kayla Ruch, who shares firsthand experiences and actionable solutions to strengthen training pathways, improve CIC readiness, and support a more resilient infection prevention workforce.
With special guest:
Kayla Ruch, PhD, MPH, CPH, HACP, CIC, Senior Instructional Developer for Infection Prevention and Control, Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI)