Episode 19: Strengthening Infection Prevention: National Strategies, Local Impact

Join hosts Dr. Gonzalo Bearman and Dr. Priya Nori as they explore the vital role of infection prevention and control in healthcare with Dr. Erica Kaufman West and Catriona Hong, authors of the article "National Partnerships Address Critical Needs in Infection Prevention and Control." In this episode, the guests discuss the goals of Project Firstline, a CDC-AMA initiative designed to strengthen IPC practices across the nation. Dr. Kaufman West and Hong delve into how five critical IPC areas were identified, the importance of social determinants of health data, and the impact of burnout among IPC professionals. They also explore strategies for improving IPC training in medical schools, the future of masking policies, and balancing infection control with environmental sustainability. The conversation concludes with a look at the challenges of implementing national IPC strategies and the innovations and policy changes that will shape the future of infection prevention in the next decade.