Mask Respirator

July 06, 2026

More than 100 health care workers have been infected during the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. While the risk to US health care facilities remains low, the outbreak provides powerful lessons about PPE readiness, surveillance, staffing, and community trust. This commentary explores why infection preventionists should pay close attention, not because Ebola is coming here, but because the challenges are universal.

March 19, 2026

Ill-fitting PPE exposes women health care workers to infection risks, regulatory liability, and reduced performance. Wyatt Bradbury, MEng, CSP, CHST, CIT, TSSP, urges infection prevention leaders to assess fit, engage staff, and improve procurement practices to ensure safety, compliance, and equitable protection across clinical environments.

August 19, 2025

Public health is under attack. The CDC shooting underscores how misinformation fuels mistrust and danger. In this climate, evidence-based protections like masking aren’t optional—they’re essential. Layered strategies remain our best defense against deadly pathogens.

August 15, 2025

Clear communication is not just important in a pandemic—it’s everything. In a preview of his upcoming Health Watch USA presentation, William Schaffner, MD, shares lessons from COVID-19 on building trust, keeping messages simple, and acknowledging uncertainty.

August 01, 2025

Once a symbol of crisis, face masks have evolved into everyday essentials—driven not only by pandemic preparedness but by rising air pollution, cultural shifts, and workplace safety regulations. As innovation and demand grow worldwide, the protective face mask market is poised for long-term expansion well beyond COVID-19.

July 07, 2025

Patients rarely question sterilization protocols at the dentist, yet it is essential for safety. The Clean Bite explores why asking matters, what to look for, and how to start the conversation confidently.

May 28, 2025

When an unclear airborne isolation order disrupted patient care, one infection preventionist had to unravel entrenched practices and prioritize safety, communication, and staff trust.

February 26, 2025

A silent invader lurks in health care settings, exploiting human oversights to spread. Discover how vigilance, hand hygiene, and disinfection can stop infections before they begin.

January 27, 2025

Norovirus and avian influenza outbreaks require infection preventionists to enhance hygiene, train staff, implement PPE use, and ensure effective disinfection to protect health care workers, patients, and facilities.

January 17, 2025

Read about the CDC’s Health Advisory. The advisory emphasizes the significance of early detection, infection control measures, and interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce risks, guarantee timely treatment, and prevent further spread.