Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology: Volume 45 -

Validation of the STERIS Amsco 630LS steam sterilizer autoclave for inactivation of category a medical waste from patients with high-consequence infectious diseases
Jessica A. Tarabay, Jill S. Morgan, Colleen S. Kraft, Mary Elizabeth Sexton
Published online by Cambridge University Press:

07 September 2023, pp. 260-262
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Hospitals caring for patients with high-consequence pathogens may need to safely manage large volumes of category A waste. Using biological indicators to assess for successful sterilization, autoclave cycle parameters that would inactivate 4 categories of waste were identified and validated utilizing a STERIS Amsco 630LS Steam Sterilizer.

In-depth assessment of critical access hospital stewardship program adherence to the CDC Core Elements in Iowa and Nebraska
Jonathan H. Ryder, Jenna Preusker, Andrew B. Watkins, Jeremy Tigh, Danny Schroeder, Muhammad Salman Ashraf, Trevor C. Van Schooneveld
Published online by Cambridge University Press:

03 August 2023, pp. 123-126
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In 21 antimicrobial stewardship programs in critical-access hospitals in Nebraska and Iowa that self-reported nonadherence to a CDC Core Element or Elements, in-depth program assessment and feedback revealed that accountability and education most needed improvement. Recommendations included providing physician and pharmacist training, tracking interventions, and providing education. Program barriers included lack of time and/or personnel and antimicrobial stewardship and/or infectious diseases expertise.

Efficacy of 23 commonly used liquid disinfectants against Candida auris isolates from the 4 major clades
Muhammed F. Haq, Basya S. Pearlmutter, Jennifer L. Cadnum, Curtis J. Donskey
Published online by Cambridge University Press:

02 August 2023, pp. 127-131
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We tested the effectiveness of 23 disinfectants used in healthcare facilities against isolates from the 4 major clades of Candida auris. Sporicidal disinfectants were consistently effective, whereas quaternary-ammonium disinfectants had limited activity. Quaternary-ammonium–alcohol and hydrogen-peroxide–based disinfectants varied in effectiveness against C. auris.

Efficacy of a far-ultraviolet-C light technology for continuous decontamination of air and surfaces
Samir Memic, Andrew O. Osborne, Jennifer L. Cadnum, Curtis J. Donskey
Published online by Cambridge University Press:

02 August 2023, pp. 132-134
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A wall-mounted, far-ultraviolet-C light technology reduced aerosolized bacteriophage MS2 by >3 log10 plaque-forming units within 30 minutes. Vegetative bacterial pathogens on steel disk carriers in the center of the room were reduced by >3 log10 after 45 minutes of exposure, but Candida auris and Clostridioides difficile spores were not.

Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology