This issue covers some of the most significant news from September. Topics include flexible endoscope processing guidelines, CMS oversight, masking, influenza, fungal infections, and fecal transplantation.

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4 Major Updates to Improve Flexible Endoscope Safety — AORN revised its "Guideline for Processing Flexible Endoscopes."

COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: CMS Needs to Continue to Strengthen Oversight of Infection Prevention and Control — The US Government Accountability Office called on CMS to further strengthen infection prevention and control guidance and oversight of the infection preventionist role for nursing homes.

Lessons Learned in COVID-19: SHEA Offers Guidance for Antibiotic Use in a Pandemic — The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America published a statement on strategies to improve antibiotic use and stewardship during infectious disease pandemics and outbreaks.

As Masks Are Shed, a Routine Visit to a Medical Office Can Pose COVID Risks for Some Patients — This STAT article discussed how high-risk individuals are increasingly anxious about contracting COVID while accessing necessary routine healthcare. The ICCS team continues to recommend universal masking in patient care areas.

Flu Is Already Here and Doctors Are Bracing for a High Number of Infections This Year — The flu season started early in the US, with cases rising two months before influenza season typically begins.

Lancet Commission on COVID-19 Response: 'Massive Global Failure' — The Lancet COVID-19 Commission issued a scathing report about the international COVID-19 pandemic response. The report identifies 10 key failures that helped contribute to the millions of deaths attributable to the infectious disease.

Fungal Infections Increase Mortality Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Worldwide — Research revealed that we're currently seeing more deaths caused by fungal diseases than malaria and tuberculosis together.

US Healthcare Workers More Emotionally Exhausted Amid Pandemic — The results of this survey may come as no surprise, but that doesn't make them any less significant. As ICCS Founder Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC, stated, "It's imperative that we acknowledge how these past few years have affected healthcare workers and take whatever steps are necessary to support our teams and mitigate staff and patient risks."

CDC Endorses Updated COVID Boosters, Shots to Begin Soon — CDC endorsed updated COIVD-19 boosters at the beginning of the month.

Fecal Transplantation Shown to be an Effective Remedy for Life-Threatening Intestinal Infections — Research revealed that fecal transplantation in the intestine is far superior to today's standard treatment for C. diff.

No Catheter. No CAUTI: Urine Management with External Catheters — An Infection Control Today column explored alternatives to indwelling catheters for managing urinary incontinence.

The Role of Pharmacists in the World of Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship — This Contagion column brought attention to the important role pharmacists can and should play in combatting antimicrobial resistance and supporting antimicrobial stewardship.

Impact of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Hospital-Acquired Candidemia — Research on antibiotic stewardship and candidemia showed that a reduction in broad-spectrum antibiotic administration (especially carbapenem) reduced the incidence rate of hospital-acquired candidemia in an acute tertiary care hospital.