Phenelle Segal Contributes Column on Ambulatory Anti-Microbial Stewardship

ICCS President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, has contributed a column to The Joint Commission's Ambulatory Buzz blog.

The piece is titled "Getting in Gear: Anti-Microbial Stewardship – Not Just for Hospitals Anymore."

In the column, Ms. Segal discusses the history of anti-microbial stewardship (AMS), including recent federal legislation; why the issue should be of interest to ambulatory surgery centers, clinical practices and dialysis centers; and a Joint Commission standard relating to AMS released in 2016.

As Ms. Segal writes, "While the standard itself doesn't provide a direct call to action for ambulatory care centers, they still need to jump in the AMS game. Ambulatory care centers should seriously focus on developing their AMS programs without delay as both government and accreditors ramp up their efforts to implement changes in anti-microbial use. The Joint Commission may be developing ambulatory versions of the AMS standards beginning in 2017, so start preparing now."

To access the Ambulatory Buzz column, click here.

Phenelle Segal Writes Column on Infection Prevention Personal Protective Equipment

ICCS President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, has contributed a column to Infection Control Today (ICT).

The piece is titled "The Role of Personal Protective Equipment in Infection Prevention History."

In the column, Ms. Segal discusses a wide range of topics and issues pertaining to personal protective equipment (PPE), including:

  • early uses of PPE;
  • guidelines concerning their use;
  • PPE in the 21st century;
  • evolution of PPE across the continuum of care;
  • special circumstances for PPE use, specifically Ebola; and
  • and recent controversies in the surgery setting concerning proper surgical attire.

As Ms. Segal writes, "PPE has evolved over the centuries as healthcare needs have increased and become more challenging. It is important for facilities, regardless of the setting, to utilize PPE effectively..."

To access the ICT column, click here.

ICCS Publishes Dental Infection Control Special Report on Pulpotomy Procedures and Mycobacteria in Children

ICCS has published a new special report on dental infection control and prevention practices.

It focuses primarily on incidents over the past two years concerning Mycobacterium abscessus odontogenic infection outbreaks in children following pulpotomy procedures ("child root canal").

In the report, President Phenelle Segal advises the following to dental practices: "Every effort to mitigate the risk of infection should be entertained and implemented."  

Access the ICCS special report on dental infection control.

Phenelle Segal to Present on Infection Prevention and QAPI at Northeast ASC Conference

ICCS President Phenelle Segal will be presenting at the 2016 Northeast ASC Conference, which is taking place October 4 at the Waltham Woods Conference Center at the Massachusetts Medical Society in Waltham, Mass.

Phenelle's session on "Infection prevention and Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QAPI)" is scheduled for 11:00-noon.

The Northeast ASC Conference, hosted by the Massachusetts Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (MAASC), is a "one-day program designed for physicians, clinical and allied health staff, administrators and business professionals. It will provide an opportunity to enhance knowledge and understanding of current critical issues affecting ambulatory surgery centers and outpatient medical facilities."

To arrange an on-site meeting with Phenelle, contact ICCS.

Phenelle Segal to Present on ASC Infection Control Surveyor Worksheet at TASCA Fall Conference

ICCS President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, will be presenting at the Tennessee Ambulatory Surgery Center Association's (TASCA) 2016 Fall Conference & Trade Show, which is taking place September 29-30 at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin.

Phenelle's session on "CMS Requirements for ASCs – Updated Surveyor's Worksheet" is scheduled for 8:30-10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 29.

Her session's description is as follows:

Infection prevention in the ASC setting continues to be a large area  of focus for CMS and this session will discuss the changes made to the surveyor worksheet in 2015. Each item listed on the worksheet will be addressed in detail and will include ongoing deficiencies noted during onsite visits.

TASCA is a non-profit organization that represents organizations directly involved in the operations of freestanding ambulatory surgical facilities in Tennessee. There are over 160 licensed ASCs in the state.

To arrange an on-site meeting with Phenelle, contact ICCS.