Phenelle Segal Contributes Column on Ambulatory Anti-Microbial Stewardship

ICCS President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, has contributed a column to The Joint Commission's Ambulatory Buzz blog.

The piece is titled "Getting in Gear: Anti-Microbial Stewardship – Not Just for Hospitals Anymore."

In the column, Ms. Segal discusses the history of anti-microbial stewardship (AMS), including recent federal legislation; why the issue should be of interest to ambulatory surgery centers, clinical practices and dialysis centers; and a Joint Commission standard relating to AMS released in 2016.

As Ms. Segal writes, "While the standard itself doesn't provide a direct call to action for ambulatory care centers, they still need to jump in the AMS game. Ambulatory care centers should seriously focus on developing their AMS programs without delay as both government and accreditors ramp up their efforts to implement changes in anti-microbial use. The Joint Commission may be developing ambulatory versions of the AMS standards beginning in 2017, so start preparing now."

To access the Ambulatory Buzz column, click here.

Phenelle Segal Writes Column on Infection Prevention Personal Protective Equipment

ICCS President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, has contributed a column to Infection Control Today (ICT).

The piece is titled "The Role of Personal Protective Equipment in Infection Prevention History."

In the column, Ms. Segal discusses a wide range of topics and issues pertaining to personal protective equipment (PPE), including:

  • early uses of PPE;
  • guidelines concerning their use;
  • PPE in the 21st century;
  • evolution of PPE across the continuum of care;
  • special circumstances for PPE use, specifically Ebola; and
  • and recent controversies in the surgery setting concerning proper surgical attire.

As Ms. Segal writes, "PPE has evolved over the centuries as healthcare needs have increased and become more challenging. It is important for facilities, regardless of the setting, to utilize PPE effectively..."

To access the ICT column, click here.

ICCS Publishes Dental Infection Control Special Report on Pulpotomy Procedures and Mycobacteria in Children

ICCS has published a new special report on dental infection control and prevention practices.

It focuses primarily on incidents over the past two years concerning Mycobacterium abscessus odontogenic infection outbreaks in children following pulpotomy procedures ("child root canal").

In the report, President Phenelle Segal advises the following to dental practices: "Every effort to mitigate the risk of infection should be entertained and implemented."  

Access the ICCS special report on dental infection control.