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)

Can a simple nasal antiseptic protect ICU patients from deadly MRSA infections? This episode dives into how a Michigan hospital team reduced bloodstream infections with a twice-daily antiseptic, why it worked, and what it takes to implement this approach. With expert insights and real-world challenges, this is prevention in action, right under your nose.

With special guests:

• Sarah Prascius, MPH, CIC, Infection Prevention Specialist, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital - Michigan
• Alex Wells, MPH, CIC, CPHQ, Manager of Safety and Reliability, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital - Michigan
• Tricia Stein, MD, FIDSA, FACP, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship and Chief of the Infectious Disease Section, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital - Michigan