Infection Control Matters
In this podcast series, we discuss new research and issues on the topic of infection prevention and control. We talk to doctors, nurses, clinicians, academics and administrators. Professor Brett Mitchell (from Avondale University, Australia), Visiting Professor Martin Kiernan (University of West London and Avondale University) and Professor Philip Russo (Monash University) have considerable experience in infection prevention and control. In this series, we discuss topical issues, speak to authors of papers that catch our eye and occasionally produce special editions from conferences that we attend.
Episodes
Candidozyma auris: Disinfection and the Biofilm Problem
Candidozyma auris has become one of the greatest environmental challenges facing infection prevention teams. Its ability to survive on surfaces, form resilient biofilms and spread within healthcare settings has raised important questions about whether our current cleaning and disinfection practices are enough.
In this episode, Martin and Brett are joined by Aristotelis Papadimitriou from Athens to
Brush, Rinse, Prevent Pneumonia: The HAPPEN Trial Story
The tables are turned in this episode. Prof Trisha Peel and Dr Sally Havers guest host this podcast and interview Brett Mitchell, Nicole White and Martin Kiernan about their recent publication in Lancet Infectious Disease.
The publication showcases results from a recent multi-centre RCT demonstrating the benefit of improving oral care in reducing the risk of non-ventilator associated pneumonia (N
ESCMID Global 2026 Posters (Part 2): Patient Partnership, Communication and Collaboration
In the second ESCMID Global 2026 poster tour episode, Brett and Martin found three different and thought-provoking posters that highlight the importance of people, partnerships and communication in advancing infection prevention and control.
We begin by talking to Dr Aline Wolfensberger from Zurich about a Swiss project that used human-centred design and co-production to develop practical tools th
ESCMID Global 2026 – Selected Gems from the Poster Hall (Part 1)
In the first of two special episodes recorded live from the poster hall at ESCMID Global 2026 in Munich, Brett and Martin swap the lecture theatre for the exhibition floor as they explore some of the most interesting infection prevention and antimicrobial resistance research on display.
In this episode we discuss the following posters. Links to copies of the posters are provided.
The hidden cost
Highlights from ESCMID 2026: Key Papers in Infection Control
In this episode, Brett and Martin talked to Dr Nico Tom Mutters about the papers he selected in the always popular 'Year in Infection Control' session at ESCMID Global 2026. Nico is Director of the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health at Bonn University Hospital and also Chair of EUCIC (European Committee on Infection Control). It is always fascinating to see which papers are selected in these
ESCMID Global 2026: What Matters for Practice
In this episode, Brett and Martin reflect on the IPC components a major conference. Recorded after our visit to ESCMID Global 2026 held in Munich, Germany in April, this episode brings together key insights and conversations from across the first three days of the meeting. We reflect on emerging evidence, practical challenges, and the real-world implications for infection prevention and control, w
Why Healthcare Cleaning Is Different: Reflections from Interclean 2026
In this episode, recorded live from Interclean in Amsterdam, Brett and Martin highlight the contibution of Clean Hospitals to healthcare hygiene and reflect on the contrast between healthcare cleaning and the wider cleaning industry. While the scale, innovation, and investment in cleaning technology are impressive, much of it is not designed with healthcare realities in mind. We discuss why cleani
Automated bloodstream infection surveillance - Measuring what matters?
How well do we really measure bloodstream infections and could it be routinely automated?
In this episode, Brett and Martin look at two papers on automated hospital-onset bacteraemia (HOB) surveillance, one a retrospective review in a single hospital in Berlin (Rüther et al) and a national UK study (Cregan, Oxford and UKHSA) exploring whether surveillance could move from local, manual processes to
Surfaces - High touch or high risk?
In this episode, Martin and Brett talk about what is a high risk and what is a high touch surface. Are they the same? The discussion is based on the following paper:
Zheng et al (2025). “High-touch” surfaces are not always “high-risk” surfaces in ICU environment. Journal of hospital infection.
https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(26)00079-4/fulltext
Do we feel that we are experts? Take two
Back in July 2022 when the world was opening up again Brett, Phil and Martin were all in Melbourne and met up for a chat. The topic was 'Are we experts', however due to incompetence (Martin) the recording was terrible and his rather poor editing skills (learnt entirely by watching YouTube videos from Mike Russell) didn't help much. Now however by using Adobe AI voice enhancement it has been possib
Resourcing of hospital infection prevention and control programs
In this podcast, Phil and Brett speak with Dr Lyn-Li Lim from VICNISS (Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System)in Australia. Dr Lim and colleagues recently explored the infection prevention and control resourcing levels in 113 facilities, including FTE per 100 beds. This podcast explores the differences in resourcing for different categories of hospitals.
A link to the publ
Hospital or Crime Scene? What Forensic Science Reveals About “Clean”
In this episode, Martin Kiernan talks to Dr Sarah Fieldhouse, Associate Professor of Forensic Science and Dr Emmanuel Babafemi, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences both of the University of Staffordshire, UK. We discuss a recent paper looking at hospital cleanliness. Using forensic light, the study uncovered invisible contamination on surfaces that looked clean to the naked eye. We discuss what
AMR at a National level - The 2025 ESPAUR Report
In this episode, Martin talks to Dr Diane Ashiru-Oredope and colleagues at the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) about the 2025 ESPAUR report, focusing on what the latest data mean for clinicians, infection prevention teams, and health system leaders. We explore what the latest data reveal about antimicrobial resistance and prescribing trends in England, including changes in resistance patterns am
2025 Christmas Special
This is our traditional end of year Christmas special. In this episode we consider highlights from year and have a bit of fun - including a stakeout in London.
We talk about our views on the most significant systematic review, our favourite presentation/poster, RCTs would like to see and predictions for 2026.
Unseen Reservoirs, Unseen Risks: Integrating Wastewater Surveillance with Patient-Level Insights into C. auris Spread
In this episode, Martin talks to Dr Jon Otter, Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, UK. We examine two complementary pieces of work that provide further insight into Candidozyma auris transmission in acute hospitals. The first demonstrates, for the first time in the UK, that ward-level wastewater reliably mirrors patient colonisation and can reve
Can ward rounds transform IPC education?
In this episode, Martin speaks with Helen Dunn, Consultant Nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital, a Children's Hospital in London, UK. Helen is the lead author of a recent study published in the Journal of Infection Prevention, exploring whether structured ward rounds can be used as an innovative method for delivering Infection Prevention and Control education directly in the clinical environment.
Reducing harm at the Front Line: Oral Care driving down C. difficile and Line Care - the Power of Better Data
In this episode, Martin spoke to the authors of two compelling posters showcased at the 2025 Infection Prevention Society Conference in Brighton, each discussing practical, data-driven approaches to reducing avoidable harm. Download the posters and have a listen to two authors with a passion for their projects.
First, Catherine Lemsalu, a Dental Nurse from the IPC Team at University Hospital Plymo
Posters from the 2025 Innovation Academy at ICPIC and from the UK IPS Conference
In this episode, Brett and Martin discuss a few posters that interested them from recent major infection prevention conferences.
Brett was at the ICPIC Conference in Geneva and found plenty of interest in the Innovation academy.
Tracing hand pathogen transmission with and without hand hygiene with a newly developed DNA-encapsulating Lipid Nanoparticle system
Innovative FFP2 procedural mask for
Infection Control Matters Live from the 2026 IPS Brighton Conference
In this episode, Martin Kiernan hosts a panel discussion at the 2026 Infection Prevention Society Conference in Brighton, United Kingdom.
The Panel comprised:
Dr Stephane Bouchoucha, Associate Professor in Nursing and Associate Head of School (International) in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Deakin University in Melbourne, New South Wales Australia. Stephane is the current President of th
Cutting CDC and IPC funding in the US - Implications and what can we do?
In this podcast, Brett and Phil have a chat with Professor David Weber on the sidelines of the ICPIC conference in Geneva. We chat about the funding cuts for the WHO and the US CDC, including the disbandment of HICPAC - and what this means for IPC. We discuss what is being done and what needs to happen to fill the void and to ensure contemporary IPC evidence and guidelines are available.
Prof We
Safeguarding During Transit: RAF Expertise in High Consequence Infectious Disease Retrieval
In this episode Martin talks to Squadron Leader Tez Cooling and Flight Lieutenant Emma Foley about their work in the Royal Air Force (RAF) retrieval service for patients with known and suspected High Consequence Infectious Disease who are transferred to specialist units in the UK.
The team discuss how the Air Transportable Isolator (ATI) is used in order to safely carry out repatriations in a time
The no diaper (AKA nappy) zone - reducing CAUTI?
In this 2-segment episode, Brett, Phil and Martin firstly mull over a nurse-led, bottom up (pun intended) quality improvement project that aimed to reduce CAUTI in a neonatal ICU in Georgia, USA. Having discussed how great it is to see this type of work written up, Martin then spoke to Katie Cabral the lead author for more insights and to find out if the innovation has been sustained.
Cabral K,
Can modelling tell us what factors influence CAUTI in long and short-term catheters?
In this episode, Brett, Phil and Martin discuss a recent paper from Freya Bull and colleagues, who undertook a modelling exercise to determine what factors determine the colonisation process for long and short-term urinary catheters. It turns out that different factors are in play here and that strategies for CAUTI prevention miht be different for each.
You can read the paper here:
Bull F, Tavaddo
Leading Public Health, ID and IPC during challenging times
In this episode, Martin Kiernan talks to Drs Priya Nori and Gonzalo Bearman. Priya is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Orthopedic Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA. Gonzalo is Chair of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Professor of Internal Medicine and Associate Chief Quality and Safety Officer for Research at the Virginia Commonwealth Unive
What's new in Surgical Site Infection Prevention? Update from EUCIC
In this episode, Martin Kiernan talks to Dr Gabriel Birgand, Clinical Co-ordinator of EUCIC (European Committee on Infection Control) which is part of ESCMID Global (European Society for Clinical Microbilogy and Infectious Dieseases). Gabriel is the lead of the Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control (Pays de la Loire region), Nantes University Hospital and also Head of the National C
Posters from the Hong Kong Infection Control Nurses Association conference
In this episode, Brett reviews a few posters from the Hong Kong Infection Control Nurses Association conference. Topics include fit testing, bloodstream infection surveillance and environmental cleaning.
The poster discussed in the podcast can be viewed and downloaded here.
The Plume Room - adventures in toilet hygiene
In this episode recorded in an Irish Bar in Nelson (NZ), Brett and Martin dive headfirst into the swirling world of toilet aerosols, airborne pathogens, and potential mitigations.
We begin with a older study by Scott, Bloomfield, and Barlow examining the effectiveness of disinfection in real-world settings and how this depends heavily on practical application and behavioural compliance. Then we m
Automated national HCAI surveillance - potential or pipedream?
In this episode, Brett, Phil and Martin discuss a recent paper from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that examined the timeliness of data points that could be used for a centrally implemented, automated HCAI surveillance system in England, as a potential alternative to the
24 current locally-implemented system. The aim was to examine the potential for a national, automated surveillance system
A re-introduction to Infection Control Matters 1500 days on
In this episode, we discuss the purpose of infection control matters and why we started the podcast. Recorded 1500 days after we started the podcast, Brett, Phil and Martin reflect on the podcast to date.
For new listeners, is also a chance to learn more about our approach to the podcast and how to make the most of our website.
National vs local IPC Guidelines - Lost in Translation?
In this episode, we explore the crucial disconnect between national infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines and the local policies implemented in residential aged care (RAC) facilities. Brett and Martin talk to Dr Sanne Peters and Dr Kirsty Buising about their recent paper that reports on their recent analysis using the AACTT (Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time) behavioural framework,
Candidozyma auris from the lab to the front line: A discussion with UKHSA experts
In this episode Martin talks to Dr Andy Borman, (Acting Head and Consultant Clinical Scientist, UKHSA National UK Mycology Reference Lab. also Hon Professor of Medical Mycology, MRC CMM, University of Exeter), Dr Colin Brown (Deputy Director of Emerging and Epidemic Infections at UK Health Security Agency; Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology at Royal Free London N
Use of AI to create a podcast discussion - are we out of a job?
In this episode of Infection Control Matters, we explore the potential of AI tools to support education and professional dialogue in infection prevention and control.
We used NotebookLM, an experimental tool from Google designed to help users interact with their documents in new ways—summarising, clarifying, and even generating structured discussions based on uploaded content. Using research and g
The Sinkbug Survey: Antibiotics, AMR, Chemicals and Plumbing
In this episode of Infection Control Matters, Martin Kiernan speaks with Dr. Nicole Stoesser about a large-scale, multi-centre study exploring the role of hospital sink infrastructure in antimicrobial resistance and pathogen dissemination. Representing the collaborative NITCAR-led "Sinkbug Consortium" we discuss surprising findings from 29 UK hospitals—including widespread antibiotic residues in s
Surveillance for HCAI - What is important, feasible and useful - and what isn't..
In this episode, Brett and Martin chat with Dr. Jessica Schults and Dr. Sally Havers about a recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study used a modified Delphi process to identify key healthcare infection surveillance priorities in Queensland.
Through a two-round methodology, infection prevention experts identified 13 key infection measures for a standardized min
nv-HAP surveillance too time-consuming? Semi-automated may be easier than you think
In this episode, Phil and Martin talk to Dr Aline Wolfensberger, Senior Attending Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology at University Hospital Zurich and a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care at the Univetsity of Zurich. We discuss a recent paper that has analysed a range of algorithms for detecting non-ventilator associated
Methods of assessing effectiveness of hospital cleaning - a review and peek into the future?
In this episode Martin Talks to Silvana Gastaldi who is a infection prevention and control health referent at UK-MED (a frontline humanitarian medical NGO). We discuss her revent paper in the Journal of Hospital Infection that reviews the literature on methods of assessing how effective environmental cleaning services and procedures are, including ATP, fluorescent UV marking, visual and microbiolo
Reducing CAUTI in intermittent self-catheterisation. The trial that didn't make it..
In this episode, Phil Russo talks to Brett Mitchell and Kate Browne about a study that did not make it over the line. Following a systematic review in 2021 that examined the issue of UTIs in those who self catheterise, a study to examine whether previous work demonstrating a reduction in CAUTI in indwelling catheters through the use of Chlorhexidine for meatal cleansing would be effective was desi
A poster walk at ACIPC 2024
In this episode Brett and Phil chat about a few of the posters presented at the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control 2024 Conference held in Melbourne in November 2024. Poster topics include hand hygiene, surveillance, and a pilot RCT on chlorhexidine impregnated dressings.
You can access poster abstracts below and a pdf of the posters here
Improving Hand Hygiene Practices i
Engaging Junior Doctors in IPC
In this episode recorded at the 2024 Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) Conference in Melbourne, Brett and Phil talk to Dr Sarah Browning (ID Physician at Hunter New England) and two Junior Medical Officers (JMOs) Sam and Lochlan who worked on IPC-related projects whilst on placement.
The 2024 End of Year Special
In this episode, Brett, Phil and Martin reflect on the year. We chat about favourite podcasts, papers and conferences in our usual informal manner (well probably even more informal than normal). Papers we mention are listed below.
Cimen C, Bathoorn E, Loeve AJ, Fliss M, Berends MS, Nagengast WB, et al. Uncovering the spread of drug-resistant bacteria through next-generation sequencing based survei
In-room air purification to prevent respiratory infection in aged care - Does it help?
In this episode of ICMs we talk to the authors of a world first multi-centre double blind cross-over randomised control trial, which explored the effect of in-room air purification on acute respiratory tract infections. The rationale and pragmatics of undertaking such a trial are explored, as well as interpretation of the findings.
The lead researcher, Bismi Thottiyil Sultanmuhammed Abdul, a Ph
Do you have enough staff in your IP Team? Calculating the staffing requirement for your program
In this episode, Martin talks to Dr Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos (formerly Bartles) who is Executive Director, Center for Research, Practoce and Innovation at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). We talk about about her work on staffing levels for IPC Teams, beginning with her early work looking at workload and then the recent review and paper on data obta
Could you have an ERCP-related outbreak? Sequencing to the rescue but you'll have to trash the scope!
In this episode, Martin talks to Cansu Cimen, a researcher at University Hospitals Groningen in the Netherlands, about a recent paper that documents an outbreak and in particular the critical role of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in tracking and controlling the transmission of MDROs via contaminated duodenoscopes.
Focusing on an outbreak linked to ESBL-producing Citrobacter freundii and Klebsie
Reducing glove use in the ambulance service
In this episode recorded live at the IPS Conference in Birmingham UK in September 2024, Martin talks to Claire Fitzsimons, Senior Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner at the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust. We discuss a poster that she presented at the conference that looked as ways of reducing glove use in the ambulance service through a range of improveme
Can sensors and AI improve cleaning and patient safety?
In this episode, recorded at the 2024 Infection Prevention Society Conference in Birmingham (UK) Brett and Martin talk to Conor McGinn, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and CEO of Akara AI, a robotics company spin-off from Trinity. We talk about a presentation that Conor gave, demonstrating how infrared sensors analysed by
Prevalence, fundamental care, UTI recorded live at the Infection Prevention Society Conference 2024
In our second live session at a major conference, this episode of Infection Control Matters was recorded live at a plenary session to close day 1 of the Infection Prevention Society conference (Birmingham, UK). Our guest panelists include Dr Berit Muller-Pebody an Epidemiologist from the UK Health Security Agency, Prof Jennie Wilson from the University of West London and Dr Jacqui Prieto from The
Is IPC the friend of sustainability?
Dr Gemma L Saravanos (she/her) is an infectious diseases epidemiologist and a Registered Nurse leading public health research, and education of pre-registration nursing students. She is based at the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney and works across the Camperdown (Patyegarang) and Westmead (Baludarri) campuses in Sydney.
In this episode, Phil chats to Gemma about
The CLEEN study: Background and discussion with the authors
Our guest host, Dr Sally Havers this week talks to some of authors from ClEaning and Enhancd DisinfectioN (CLEEN) study (including some regular voices..). The study was recently published in the Lancet Infectious Disease (link below).
The CLEEN study is a world first RCT that explores the impact of cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment on HAIs. The study reports significant reduc
Removing contact precautions - what trial do we need?
In this episode, Brett and Martin discuss a recent paper from Sarah Browning and colleagues that describes how an RCT on the ending of aspects of contact precautions (gloves and aprons) for MRSA and VRE could be conducted. The paper can be found here:
https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(24)00243-X/abstract
Our other podcasts on contact precautions, gloves and apro
Using AI in Infection Prevention: Opportunities and Dangers
In this episode, Martin Kiernan catches up with Dr Gonzalo Bearman, Professor of Internal Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA. We talk about the opportunities and dangers of using large language models like ChatGPT in the infecton prevention space. A link to a recent open access paper on this topic is here
Langford BJ, Branch-Elliman W, Nori P, Marra AR, Bearman G. Confront
An award-winning MDT collaborative approach to reducing risks from water in a large organisation
In this episode, Martin Kiernan talks to representatives of the Multi-disciplinary Team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the UK, Dr Jessica Martin IPC Matron Adele Dyche and Haematology Matron Katie Sweeting . Building on from previously published work, they describe how efforts from the front line can impact on water safety, including initiatives such as sink removal, education programmes
Healthcare Cleaning - a visit to Interclean that's an eye-opener
In this episode, Brett and Martin report on a visit to the massive Interclean Expo held biannually in Amsterdam and the Healthcare Hygiene meeting. We report on the staggering range of equipment available and the fact that IPC often has little say in this especially if there are potential risks, referring to a previous podcast https://infectioncontrolmatters.podbean.com/e/investigating-a-unique-cp
A novel approach to employing environmental service workers and an outbreak (or pseudo-outbreak) of SSI
In this episode, Martin has been on the road again and talks to two poster presenters at the IPAC-Canada 2024 conference. In the first part, Martin talks to Margaret Cameron from Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Ontario about the use of the Multiple Mini Interviewing approach to the selection of suitable candidates to become part of the hospital Environmental Service Attendant team. This innov
More posters from ESCMID Global 2024, inc C. diff, UV-C, wastewater surveillance, LA-MRSA
This week we have a second batch of posters that we liked at ESCMID Global and will be talking about:
VRE Surveillance using hospital waste water during an outbreak
Assessing the Hawthorne effect: Implications and solutions
The impact of an early Infectious Disease consultation for CLABSI: a single centre retrospective study
Semi-continuous disinfection of sinks with UVC on a haematologydepartment
Posters from ESCMID Global 2024 - Part 1
In this episode Brett, Phil and Martin tour the posters at ESCMID Global 2024 and we discuss some of them with the authors. A link to images of the posters can be found below.
Here are the posters we discuss
AMR Surveillance in waste water and clinical isolates from a tertiary hospital: Preliminary results
Deciphering the temporal short-term dynamics of Acinetobacter baumanii: Impact of colonisati
Reflections on Day 3 at ESCMID Global 2024
It was day 3 at ESCMID Global 2024 and Phil, Brett and Martin mull over the day. Amongst the items we discuss are:
What does endogenous really mean?
AI in the IPC space - friend or foe?
Fungal outbreaks - epidemiological challenges and tracing the source
Automated bloodstream infection surveillance
The Euro PPS survey results - data in action (or inaction)
Subsequent to the podcast recording the
Reflections on day 2 of ESCMID Global 2024
In this episode, Phil, Brett and Martin dicuss more sessions from ESCMID Global (Barcelona, 2024). We talk about sessions on cleaning the occupied bed space, SSI prevention and the difficulty of designing and executing good studies in IPC. We were particularly interested in papers from Italy on the use of probiotics in IPC and some papers from Prof Cassini's group are highlighted below.
Calabro GE
Discussing the new WHO infectious respiratory particles paper at ECCMID (With Prof Cath Noakes)
In this episode, Brett, Martin and Phil mull over the newly published WHO discussion document on respiratory particles and Martin catches up with Prof Cath Noakes from the School of Engineering in Leeds, UK to get her take on it.
You can download the document we are discussing here
https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/global-technical-consultation-report-on-proposed-terminology-for-pathogens-
ECCMID 2024 - The year in infection control
In this podcast, Brett and Martin reflect on the "Infection Control Papers of the Year" presented at ECCMID (AKA ESCMID Global) 2024.
Here are a selection of some of the papers mentioned:
Decolonization in Nursing Homes to Prevent Infection and Hospitalization https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37815935/
Reducing Hospitalizations and Multidrug-Resistant Organisms vi a Regional Decolonization in Ho
Reflections on the first morning at ECCMID 2024
In our first episode from ECCMID Global 2024, Martin and Brett reflect on the session on design of the healthcare environment sessions from Profs Hilary Humphries and Cath Noakes and a flash poster session featuring VRE Reservoirs in the environment and a tremendous piece of Burkolderia sleuthing from the UKHSA
Visualising infection transmission using genomics
In this podcast, we chat with Dr Brian Forde about HAIviz. HAIviz an interactive dashboard for visualising and integrating healthcare-associated genomic epidemiological data. HAIviz displays and links the outbreak timeline, building map, phylogenetic tree, patient bed movements, and transmission network on a single interactive dashboard.
You can view and use the tool for free at Permana, B., Harr
Investigating a unique CPE strain outbreak - a possible new place to look?
In this episode, Martin Kiernan talks to Mitch Clarke, Clinical Lead and Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Nottingham University Hospitals in the UK. We discuss an outbreak with a unique NDM CPE infection and look at where the investigations went, including a new reservoir that is a potential source - the floor scrubber.
Papers underpinning this work are here:
1. Benbow A, Cla
C. difficile in England is on the rise, but why? A sign of a system on the edge and could a new variant push it over?
In this episode, Martin Talks to Dr Mark Wilcox OBE, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Leeds, Head of Microbiology Research & Development at Leeds University Hospitals NHS Trust and National Clinical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at NHS England. We mull over the possible reasons for the increase in hospital-onset, hospital attributed cases in England, including rib
What do C. difficile and HAP have in common - toilet plume??
In this episode, after an interesting discovery when searching Youtube, Brett and Martin mull over whether toilet plume is a risk factor for hospital-acquired pneumonia and C. difficile infections. The papers we discuss are listed below.
Goforth MP, Boone SA, Clark J, Valenzuela PB, McKinney J, Ijaz MK, et al. Impacts of lid closure during toilet flushing and of toilet bowl cleaning on viral conta
A national CPE survey of healthcare workers knowledge and some interesting sink practices
We chat with Dr Deirdre Fitzgerald-Hughes and Aoife Kearney about a national survey undertaken in Ireland. In the survey, they explored CPE knowledge and practices of healthcare workers, including infection prevention and control staff.
There were some interesting findings that may be useful in informing IPC education and training, including convincing people that they need to know more.
The paper
90% Reduction in MRSA bacteraemia. Possible but patience is a virtue!
In this episode, Martin Kiernan and Phil Russo talk to Professor Michael Borg of the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery in the Medical School at the University of Malta and Head of Department (Infection Control) at Mater Dei Hospital in Malta. We discuss a recent paper desctibing the stages that brought about a 90% reduction in MRSA bloodstream infections over a ten-year period.
The main paper we d
C. difficile: Disinfectants, attachment and strain variations
In this week's episode, Martin talks to Dr Tina Joshi, Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology in Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, UK. We discuss her longstanding interest in Clostridioides difficile and her many publications, one of which on the effectiveness of hypochlorite (or lack of it) on spores has been widely covered in the media. We chat about spore attachment
The 2023 End of Year/Christmas Special
In our usual Christmas episode, Brett, Phil and Martin choose our papers and podcasts of 2023. Also this time, Martin set the three of us a challenge: to find an interesting IPC-related paper from the years of our birth (more challenging for some than others..). Martin also reveals the No 1 single in our respective countries on the day of our birth. For Martin, a near miss. For Phil, a very apt so
If you could have anything in IPC, what would you want?
In this week's episode Phil and Brett mull over their wishlists for what they would want in a perfect IPC world. They turn out to be a pretty undemanding pair.. not. However they both see a future in which their wishes could become true. Unsurprisingly AI and automated surveillance loom large in their thoughts.
Would you be admitted to a room where a previous person was infected?
In this episode, Brett and Martin discuss a paper they were recently involved with - a systematic review and meta-analysis on prior room occupancy and the risk to the next person. This paper has been recently published in Infection, Disease and Health.
Findings provide some evidence to help inform a risk management approach when determining patient room allocation. The risk of pathogen acquisition
MDRO Plasmid-related outbreaks - is there anything we can do? With Jon Otter
In this week's episode, Martin talks to Dr Jon Otter, epidemiologist, scientst, blogger and Joint Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. We discuss a session at the recent ICPIC conference on the problems posed by plasmids in terms of outbreak detection, increasing antimicrobial resistance and environmental reservoirs. You can read more
Ice machines - a chilling thought?
In this episode, Brett talks to Martin about a recent paper on the potential pitfalls of ice machines and following manufactures' instructions.
The paper we discuss is called "How clean is your ice machine?"
This paper was published in the journal of hospital infection: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195670123002700
Detection of pathogens in the neonatal ICU environment with Dr Ginny Moore
In this episode, Martin talks to Dr Jinny Moore from the National Health Security Agency in England about detecting pathogens in the ICU environment. They discuss a recent paper where whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on presumptive S. capitis NRCS-A isolates was collected from infants admitted to nationwide NICU and from environmental sampling in two distinct NICUs. The discussion includes details on
Preventing device-associated infections during a COVID-19 pandemic
This week, Martin talks to Dr Jennifer Meddings, Associate Professor at University of Michigan Health and Internist at Ann Arbor about a recently published survey looking at what interventions are commonly used to prevent device-associated infections. We discuss the findings and focus in on prevention of urinary catheter-associated infections and new devices that may have an impact.
The paper can
Identifying healthcare cleaning research priorities in resource-limited settings
In this episode, Martin Kiernan talks to Dr Giorgia Gon, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine about a briefing paper that identifies research priorities for healthcare cleaning in resource-limited settings. We discuss the process of determining the priorities, the groups involved and the final areas that should be targeted with research funding, incl
Sinks in ICU Patient Rooms. Lower numbers of sinks equals lower infection rates?
In this episode, Martin talks to Giovanni-Battista Fucini about a recent paper from Germany that examined infection rates in critical care in which it was reported that hospitals without sinks in patient rooms have lower infection rates. Newer hospitals in Germany tend not to have sinks in the patient rooms in ICU.
The paper we discuss is here:
Giovanni-Battista, F., C. Geffers, F. Schwab, M. Behn
Future directions for surveillance
Martin chats to Phil in Melbourne following a recent presentation. Yes, two old farts reminiscing about the days of wearing out the boot leather collecting surveillance data talk with envy about the potential of HAI surveillance in the era of the electronic medical record, automation and artificial intelligence.
Phil refers to data in these two publications:
Designing Surveillance of Healthcare-As
C. difficile and One Health with Prof Tom Riley
We discuss One Health in this episode with Professor Tom Riley, using C.difficile as the example of explaining why the concept of One Health is so important.
Tom is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, the Australian Society for Microbiology, the American Academy of Microbiology, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Faculty of Science of the Royal College of Patho
Saving time and increasing IPC efficiency using Robotic Process Automation
This week, Martin talks to Jincy Jerry, Assistant Director of Nursing in Infection Prevention and Control at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Jincy is a pioneer in the use of Robotic Process Automation in clinical settings within Irish Healthcare. Robotic process automation (RPA) is a software technology that makes it easy to build, deploy, and manage software robots t
A CLEEN study chat and a rude interruption!
In this podcast, we talk about the CLEEN and I-CLEEN studies. These are a RCT and quasi-experimental genomics study aiming to determine the effect of additional cleaning of shared medical equipment of the frequency of healthcare associated infections. We also make phone call mid podcast...
A shout out to all the team involved in this project, including being wonderfully coordinated by Dr Kate Bro
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