The ICHE Podcast

The ICHE Podcast
  • 4.9 (13)
  • SCIENCE

Welcome to the ICHE Podcast! Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (ICHE) is the flagship journal for the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). In each episode of The ICHE Podcast, we speak with the authors of articles that have recently been published in ICHE. Join us as we discuss the latest research and hottest topics in infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and healthcare epidemiology.

  1. JAN 30

    Episode 65: Understanding the Association Between Routine Oral Care and In-Hospital Mobility with Non-Ventilator Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

    In this episode of The ICHE Podcast, host Dr. David Calfee explores non–ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP)—what it is, how common it is, and why it matters for patient outcomes.   He is joined by Dr. Barbara Jones (University of Utah) and Dr. Sheryl Kluberg (Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School) to discuss key risk factors for NV-HAP and how preventable it may be. The conversation highlights practical prevention strategies, including the role of routine oral care and patient mobility.   Dr. Jones shares insights from her ICHE study evaluating the impact of an oral care initiative using electronic clinical data and diagnostic coding, while Dr. Kluberg discusses her research on the associations between oral care, in-hospital mobility, and NV-HAP. Together, they break down the study questions, methods, key findings, and real-world implications for infection prevention efforts.   This episode offers a concise, evidence-based look at how everyday care practices can help reduce the burden of NV-HAP in hospitalized patients.   Links: Jones, Barbara E., Alec B. Chapman, Jian Ying, McKenna R. Nevers, Shannon Munro, Michael Klompas, Amy L. Valderrama, and Daniel O. Scharfstein. “Evaluating the Impact of an Oral Care Initiative on the Risk of Non-Ventilator-Associated Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Using Electronic Clinical Data and Diagnostic Coding Surveillance Criteria.” Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 46, no. 12 (2025): 1190–98. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2025.54.    Kluberg, Sheryl A., Tom Chen, Rui Wang, Robert Jin, Laura DelloStritto, Dian Baker, Karen Giuliano, et al. “Associations between Routine Oral Care and In-Hospital Mobility with Non-Ventilator Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia.” Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 46, no. 12 (2025): 1181–89. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2025.10245.

    28 min

  2. 12/29/2025

    Episode 64: Multisociety Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Homes

    In this episode of The ICHE Podcast, host Dr. David Calfee speaks with the authors of the newly released Multisociety Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Homes. He is joined by Dr. Lona Mody, Dr. Deborah Burdsall, Dr. Susan Huang, Dr. Robin Jump, and Dr. Rekha Murthy to discuss the development, key updates, and practical implications of this comprehensive guidance.   Developed by SHEA in collaboration with APIC, IDSA, PALTmed, and the American Geriatrics Society, the guidance document updates the earlier SHEA/APIC guideline: Infection prevention and control in the long-term care facility published in July 2008. The authors walk through how the updated guidance reflects current evidence and lessons learned, offering a flexible framework to help nursing homes prevent and control infections while preserving the social, rehabilitative, and quality-of-life goals that are central to residential care.   Links for this episode: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/multisociety-guidance-for-infection-prevention-and-control-in-nursing-homes/88B28E99CD7FDB3668DDAE9C3D2184A0

    31 min

  3. 11/13/2025

    Episode 63: The Dynamic Interplay of Implementation and De-Implementation Science

    Host Dr. David Calfee speaks with Dr. Westyn Branch-Elliman, Dr. Rani Elwy, and Dr. Stephanie Stroever about their recent Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (ICHE) papers, “The life cycle of infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship projects and interventions: The dynamic interplay of implementation and de-implementation science (Part I & II).” They discuss the role of deimplementation—removing or reducing low-value practices—in improving patient safety and care quality, how it complements implementation science, and real-world examples from diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship.   Links for this episode: Branch-Elliman, Westyn, David A. Chambers, Owen Albin, Lynne Batshon, Sandra Castejon-Ramirez, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Nkechi Emetuche, et al. “The Life Cycle of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship Projects and Interventions: The Dynamic Interplay of Implementation and de-Implementation Science (Part I of II).” Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 46, no. 10 (2025): 961–72. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2025.75. Branch-Elliman, Westyn, Samira Reyes Dassum, Stephanie Stroever, Owen Albin, Lynne Batshon, Sandra Castejon-Ramirez, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, et al. “Leveraging De-Implementation Science to Promote Infection Prevention and Stewardship: A Roadmap and Practical Examples (Part II of II).” Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 46, no. 10 (2025): 973–83. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2025.76.

    43 min

  4. 10/08/2025

    Episode 62: Infection Prevention Strategies in Long Term Care Facilities

    Long-term care facilities face unique challenges in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and managing multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). In this episode of The ICHE Podcast, Dr. Loren G. Miller (UCLA), Dr. Lyndsay M. O’Hara (University of Maryland School of Medicine), and Dr. Mary-Claire Roghmann (University of Maryland School of Medicine) share insights from their recent studies on decolonization and enhanced barrier precautions—two promising approaches for reducing infection risk among residents. They explore what the latest research tells us, where evidence gaps remain, and how facilities can apply practical, evidence-based interventions today to improve safety and quality of care. UCI SHIELD Nursing Home Decolonization Toolkit: https://www.ucihealth.org/healthcare-professionals/shield/nursing-home-decolonization-toolkit Enhanced barrier precautions to prevent transmission of *Staphylococcus aureus* and Carbapenem-resistant organisms in nursing home chronic ventilator units: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/abs/enhanced-barrier-precautions-to-prevent-transmission-of-staphylococcus-aureus-and-carbapenemresistant-organisms-in-nursing-home-chronic-ventilator-units/43FBB459BB569B052DEDF87EA57193FB Impact of routine chlorhexidine bathing and nasal iodophor on MDRO colonization and environmental contamination in nursing homes: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/abs/impact-of-routine-chlorhexidine-bathing-and-nasal-iodophor-on-mdro-colonization-and-environmental-contamination-in-nursing-homes/EE2288CCE486EB4822A545BFE6210BA5

    42 min

  5. 09/08/2025

    Episode 61: Virtual Reality Applications in Infection Prevention and Control

    This episode of The ICHE Podcast explores the use of virtual reality (VR) in healthcare training, with a focus on infection prevention and control. Experts examine the current state of VR adoption, its effectiveness as an educational tool, and common challenges in implementation. Dr. Aline Wolfensberger (University Hospital Zurich), Dr. Erica Shenoy (Mass General Brigham/Harvard Medical School), and Dr. Thomas Murray (Yale University School of Medicine) present findings from their recent studies, outlining the research questions they addressed, study designs, key results, limitations, and implications for practice. The discussion concludes with actionable recommendations for institutions and practitioners considering the integration of VR into infection prevention training programs.

    38 min

  6. 07/24/2025

    Episode 60: Plasma Cell-Free DNA and Metagenomic Sequencing in Infectious Disease Diagnosis

    In this episode of The ICHE Podcast, we take a deep dive into the evolving role of plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Hosted by experts from UCLA Health, this discussion breaks down what cfDNA mNGS is, how it differs from more traditional pathogen detection tools like PCR, and where it fits in the diagnostic landscape. Dr. Ishminder Kaur, Dr. Daniel Uslan, and Dr. Shangxin Yang join the episode to explore the clinical utility, benefits, and pitfalls of this rapidly emerging diagnostic modality. The group reviews several individual studies, highlighting how they approached their research questions, key findings, and the implications for patient care and antimicrobial stewardship. The conversation also addresses challenges such as interpreting complex results, cost considerations, and potential overuse. Whether you’re a clinician, laboratorian, or infection preventionist, this episode provides critical insights into when and how cfDNA mNGS may enhance your diagnostic toolkit—and when it might not. Each guest closes with a practical takeaway: concrete advice for healthcare professionals who are considering incorporating cfDNA testing into their own clinical or infection control practice.

    42 min

  7. 07/15/2025

    Episode 59: New Guidance on High-Level Disinfection and Sterilization

    In this episode of The ICHE Podcast, David Calfee joined by three experts who contributed to the development of the updated SHEA guidance on high-level disinfection (HLD) and sterilization: Dr. Emily Sickbert-Bennett, Dr. Audrey Calderwood, and Dr. Erica Shenoy. Together, they bring expertise in infection prevention and hospital epidemiology to a discussion of what’s new, what’s changed, and how this guidance can be applied in real-world settings. The episode begins by exploring why an update to the 2008 CDC guideline was necessary and how this new document builds upon and clarifies existing practices. The speakers walk through the multi-year process that began in 2018, outlining the rigorous evidence review and unanimous consensus required for each recommendation. They also clarify what was considered out of scope, including topics such as low-level disinfection, environmental cleaning, and access or cost concerns. Listeners will learn how to interpret the guidance within their own institutions, including when no formal recommendation is provided due to insufficient evidence. The episode highlights emerging technologies like disposable scopes, 3D printed devices, and borescopes—discussing which are ready for clinical use and which require further evaluation. To close, each guest offers a practical action item to help listeners improve safety and quality related to HLD and sterilization in their own facilities. This is a must-listen for anyone involved in infection prevention, reprocessing, or clinical safety.

    23 min

  8. 05/27/2025

    Episode 58: Reducing Surgical Site Infections: Insights from Recent Research

    In this episode of the ICHE Podcast, we bring together Dr. Loreen Herwaldt (University of Iowa) and Dr. Jessica Seidelman (Duke University) to explore the latest research and strategies aimed at reducing the burden of surgical site infections (SSIs). SSIs remain a significant cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality, contributing to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and serious complications for patients. The conversation begins with a broad discussion of the current landscape of SSI prevention and the continuing challenges that hospitals and infection prevention teams face. Both guests then share findings from their recent studies, explaining the key questions they set out to answer, the methods they used, and the implications of their results. They also reflect on important limitations and lessons learned along the way. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the real-world complexity of SSI prevention, from institutional barriers to the nuances of implementing evidence-based practices. The episode concludes with each guest offering a practical, actionable takeaway for infection preventionists—something you can do now to improve surgical safety in your facility.

    23 min
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About

Welcome to the ICHE Podcast! Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (ICHE) is the flagship journal for the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). In each episode of The ICHE Podcast, we speak with the authors of articles that have recently been published in ICHE. Join us as we discuss the latest research and hottest topics in infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and healthcare epidemiology.

Information

  • Creator
    The ICHE Podcast
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The ICHE Podcast