APIC - Infection Prevention and You

05/16/2026

This week's eNews is out
➡️Check it out https://hubs.li/Q04gTSNk0

05/15/2026

Manufacturer instructions for use (MIFUs) are intended to inform the safe use, cleaning, and disinfection of medical devices and equipment. When discrepancies arise , Infection Preventionists (IPs) often play a key role in determining the next steps.

APIC’s new Guidance for Addressing Discrepancies with the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use: A Toolkit for Non-Critical Devices provides a structured process to help IPs assess discrepancies and conduct a risk assessment when needed.

𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬.
➡️ https://hubs.li/Q04gyRkH0

To support implementation and real-world application, APIC will host two upcoming opportunities to explore the MIFU toolkit in more depth:

MIFU Toolkit Launch: First Look & Practical Application for IPs
June 9 at 1:00 PM ET
https://hubs.li/Q04gyYSw0

MIFU Toolkit in Practice: Implementation Strategies & Real-World Application
July 23 at 1:00 PM ET
https://hubs.li/Q04gy_d90

A Resource for Addressing Discrepancies in the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use of Non-Critical Devices (MIFUs) MIFUs are intended to guide the safe and effective use of medical devices, including cleaning and disinfection processes. However, healthcare facilities often face challenges,includin...

05/15/2026

📋 Ready to earn your CIC? Don't leave it to chance.

The CIC Exam Prep pre-conference workshop at walks you through the fundamental concepts of IPC practice — plus test-taking tips, strategies, and practice questions to help you walk into that exam with confidence.
Arrive in Nashville a little early. Leave a lot more prepared. 🎓

Add it to your registration → https://hubs.li/Q04f3p-g0

05/14/2026

Is your facility truly protected against Legionella and waterborne pathogens?

Join us for a FREE virtual symposium on Monday, June 2, featuring industry experts diving deep into:

✅ Legionella risk mitigation & Water Management Plans
✅ Sustainable, chemical-free water treatment innovations
✅ Compliance strategies for healthcare, hospitality & commercial facilities
✅ Real-world case studies & CE credit opportunities

Whether you're an IP, facility manager, or plumbing engineer, this is the event for you.

🔗 Register now: https://hubs.li/Q04g6NFv0

Brought to you by LiquiTech — safer, smarter, more sustainable water treatment since 1985.

05/13/2026

The countdown is on.

Only one week left to book your hotel for APIC26 at discounted rates before the May 20 cutoff.

Rooms are filling fast and availability is limited.

Lock in your stay and join us in Nashville: https://hubs.li/Q04cMQRm0

05/12/2026

Episode #80 of the 𝟓 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 features Carrie Billman joining Jess Fargher and Kelly Holmes to discuss emergency preparedness for high-consequence infectious diseases, including the critical role of infection prevention protocols, communication, and healthcare training in future outbreaks.

Listen now🎧 https://hubs.li/Q04gcKN90
Watch now 🖥️ https://hubs.li/Q04gd05R0

05/11/2026

APIC is continuing to monitor an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus associated with a Dutch-flagged cruise ship (MV Hondius) that traveled from Ushuaia, Argentina, across the South Atlantic in April 2026.

Below is an update on the current state of this outbreak, as well as the guidance available for response.

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
• As of May 11, 2026: 9 cases (7 laboratory-confirmed and 2 probable) have been reported internationally, including 3 deaths.
• To date, all identified cases were passengers on the cruise ship.
• The causative virus is Andes virus (ANDV), which can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and is the only hantavirus known to have limited person-to-person transmission, typically requiring close, prolonged contact. The Andes virus is endemic in Argentina and Chile but not in the United States.
• WHO, CDC, and ECDC assess the risk to the general public as low; risk to passengers and crew is considered moderate.

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
• Incubation: 4–42 days
• Early symptoms: fever, myalgia, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms
• Severe disease: rapidly progressive pneumonia, ARDS, shock
• Case fatality: ~38% among those who develop respiratory disease [https://hubs.li/Q04g9h-30 ][cdc.https://hubs.li/Q04g9mD90]

𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞:
• Conduct travel screening at the time of patient presentation.
• Report suspected cases immediately to local or state public health authorities for testing and coordination.
• Patients with known or suspected Andes virus infection should be placed in an AIIR, and a gown, gloves, eye protection, and an N95 or higher-level respirator should be worn when entering the room.
• Both high-risk and low-risk contacts of known and suspected cases should self-isolate (See CDC guidance link below)

𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐏𝐬:
This is an outbreak involving a known virus variant with limited person-to-person transmission. Vigilance and early recognition are critical to maintaining containment, while emphasizing that the overall risk to U.S. healthcare settings remains very low at this time.

Existing resources in comments ⬇️

05/11/2026

Join us for 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 on May 29 at 1:00 PM, a virtual event showcasing the latest innovations in infection prevention.

Hear directly from solution providers, participate in live Q&A, and gain practical insights to support decision-making at your facility.

Attendees will also be eligible for prizes throughout the session.

Register Now ➡️ https://hubs.li/Q04g7bwK0

05/09/2026

This week's eNews is out!
➡️Check it out https://hubs.li/Q04fJpsK0

05/08/2026

Measles can cause serious complications and disrupt healthcare operations when cases occur. Early identification, rapid isolation, and strong infection prevention protocols are key to limiting exposures.

APIC’s Measles Playbook provides guidance on vaccination considerations, infection control measures, exposure management, and patient education resources.

Support your team with evidence-informed tools: https://hubs.li/Q0496Ym-0

05/07/2026

𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐭𝐨-𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝
Multiple confirmed and suspected cases and deaths of Hantavirus were recently identified on a cruise ship that left Argentina over a month ago. Hantavirus can cause a viral hemorrhagic fever syndrome and is usually spread by rodent droppings to human. Some strains of hantavirus can lead to limited human-to-human spread, including the Andes strain involved in this event. Some spread from person to person is suspected in this outbreak, but is limited to those who are on the cruise ship. The involved ship is currently docked in Cabo Verde and all passengers and crew members are being monitored and unable to leave the ship at this time. The risk of importation to the US is low.

Information or resources on Hantavirus: https://hubs.li/Q04fP_dQ0

Information on this outbreak: https://hubs.li/Q04fPRG70