/ en Sun, 22 Jun 2025 13:18:15 -0500 Mon, 27 Sep 21 16:48:04 -0500 /project-firstline/blog <h2>Environmental Services (EVS) leaders and staff plays an essential role in providing a clean and safe environment for all through infection prevention and control practices.  </h2> <p> </p> <p>As the front line of the health care infection prevention and control (IP&C) team, environmental services (EVS) plays an essential role in the fight against the spread of infection - one that creates a cleaner, healthier and safer environment for patients, visitors and fellow health care workers.  <br />   <br /> EVS teams are exposed to environments where health care associated infections can spread rapidly if proper cleanliness and disinfection protocols are not enforced rigorously and continuously.  For this reason, EVS plays a critical role in ensuring proper protocols and best practices are implemented to prevent the spread of infection across all health care settings.   <br />   <br /> The <a href="https://www.aha.org/2020-01-22-updates-and-resources-novel-coronavirus-2019-cov">COVID-19 pandemic</a> has highlighted opportunities to improve upon infection prevention and control knowledge and training in health care settings nationwide. It has also underscored that implementing a multidisciplinary approach to infection control can be powerful, including EVS staff, who are on the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hai/prevent/environment/surfaces.html">frontline of infection prevention</a> each day. <br />   <br /> The <a href="https://www.aha.org/">Â鶹¹Ù·½m</a> (AHA), in collaboration with the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), is making an effort to highlight the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach towards infection prevention and control through its participation in Project Firstline. Project Firstline is a national training collaborative led by the Centers for <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/">Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC) that aims to provide effective health care infection control training for millions of frontline U.S healthcare workers and members of the public health workforce in the fight against infectious disease threats.   <br />   <br /> As a key partner in this initiative, AHA is offering hospitals and health systems the tools and resources needed to engage all stakeholders in the fight against infectious diseases through an all-team approach from bedside nurses to administrators to environmental staff.  The AHA, in collaboration with AHE, has released a new set of infographics to support frontline health care environmental services personnel with important COVID-19 considerations for cleaning and disinfection, management of medical waste, and general precautions when performing discharge or transfer cleaning.  The AHA also released a <a href="https://www.aha.org/center/project-firstline/teamstepps-video-toolkit">TeamSTEPPS® Video Toolkit</a>, a collection of short videos that aim to transform health care teams by using a proven, evidence-based approach to bringing efficiency to stronger team communication, collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach across health care teams to support effective infection prevention and control.   <br />  <br /> These resources along with other Project Firstline offerings can be found on the <a href="https://www.aha.org/center/project-firstline">AHA’s Project Firstline webpage </a>. Stay tuned for the release of new resources that will further support the IPC-related needs of EVS personnel and health care engineers.   </p> Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:48:04 -0500 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) /education-events/covid-19-update-variants-and-virus-mutation <p>As the state of the pandemic continues to change, new terms and ideas are constantly being thrown at us. With news of variants, vaccines, and more coming every day, it can be overwhelming to think about, let alone process your role in, contributing to a safer next few months.<br> <br> In this webinar, Dr. Rodney E. Rohde will provide an update on COVID-19, its variants, and vaccination. By attending, you’ll gain an understanding of the factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants, including what’s so unique about this virus that multiple variants seem to easily proliferate. You will also assess where we currently stand with the COVID-19 pandemic and what the next few months could look like. The continued uncertainty of our environment can be unsettling, but the knowledge provided in this session will help make it more manageable. <br>  </p> <hr> <p><img alt="Rohde" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4366135d-7202-49b4-a2f1-5682ec59e3f1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/R_Rohde.jpg" width="163" height="162"></p> <p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SV/SM/MB(ASCP)</p> <p>Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SV/SM/MB(ASCP)CM received his Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) and Masters (Biology, emphasis in Virology) degrees from Texas State University.  Dr. Rohde received his PhD in 2010, focusing on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).</p> <p><br> Dr. Rohde is the Program Chair for the CLS Program, and holds the rank of Professor in the College of Health Professions.  He also serves as Associate Dean for Research for the College of Health Professions.  Dr. Rohde is also a clinical assistant professor (joint appointment) at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Laboratory Sciences & Primary Care, Clinical Laboratory Science Program.  Additionally, Dr. Rohde continues to enjoy being an adjunct associate professor of biology in the nursing program for Austin Community College. He holds certifications as a Specialist in Virology, Specialist in Microbiology, and Molecular Biologist from the American Society for Clinical Pathology.</p> <p>Dr. Rohde spent a decade as a public health microbiologist and molecular epidemiologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services Bureau of Laboratories and Zoonosis Control Division prior to his academic career. Dr. Rohde is a member in the prestigious Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity (AMTF) and was named a CLS Distinguished Author, along with his colleagues. In 2007 he received the ASCLS Scientific Research Award, and again in 2014 for his work with MRSA and rabies, respectively.<br>  </p> Wed, 14 Apr 2021 07:26:20 -0500 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) /association-health-care-environment-launch-covid-19-response-elearning-certificate-program-health <p>August 31, 2020 | <strong>Format:</strong> News Release</p><hr><p><strong>CHICAGO, August 31, 2020 </strong>– </p><p>As the recognized authority in health care environmental services, and as a professional membership group of the Â鶹¹Ù·½m, the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) has developed two eLearning certificate programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>Â鶹¹Ù·½has developed and curated a wide portfolio of complementary <a href="/covid-19-resources-evs-professionals">resources</a> for members and the environmental services community at large in response to COVID-19, and will release the <em><strong>Pathways to Clean </strong></em><strong>certificate program</strong> in late September. In addition, Â鶹¹Ù·½today released the <a href="/ahe-ready-set-clean-certificate-program"><em><strong>Ready. Set. Clean. </strong></em><strong>certificate program</strong></a> in response to an outpouring of inquiries from the hospitality industry looking for the resources necessary to educate and train their frontline staff to achieve hygienically clean and safe guest spaces that contribute to combating COVID-19, and that reaffirm customer confidence.</p><p>The <em><strong>Pathways to Clean </strong></em><strong>certificate program</strong> and the <a href="/ahe-ready-set-clean-certificate-program"><em><strong>Ready. Set. Clean. </strong></em><strong>certificate program</strong></a> will both include webinars, presentations and checklists related to COVID-19, infection prevention strategies, cleaning, disinfection, sanitation, emerging pathogens, and preparedness for biological events. Facilities that complete the programs’ trainings will earn a certificate of completion and gain access to the <strong>communications toolkit </strong>to make their accomplishment known, affirm their commitment to hospital caliber clean, and assure guests that their facility is hygienically clean and safe.</p><p>This content was made possible in part by generous sponsorships from Kimberly-Clark Professional, Tork, Cintas, and Rubbermaid.</p><p>The Ready. Set. Clean. certificate program delivers evidence-based health care caliber cleaning best practices customized for the hospitality industry, and is currently available for purchase. <br> </p><hr><p><strong>About AHE</strong><br>The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a Professional Membership Group of the Â鶹¹Ù·½m. Â鶹¹Ù·½is the professional organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. Â鶹¹Ù·½shapes professional practice, advances and promotes the profession and promotes awareness for over 2,300 professionals working to ensure a clean and safe health care environment and quality outcomes.  www.ahe.org</p> Fri, 28 Aug 2020 09:36:16 -0500 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) /education-events/health-care-environmental-services-response-covid-19-challenges-continuing <p>Â鶹¹Ù·½would like to continue the open dialogue centered on environmental services leaders challenges and responses to COVID-19. This discussion, once again moderated by Patti Costello, AHE’s executive director, provides you an opportunity to share additional and continued challenges and obstacles, hear from peers, and discuss the various approaches and innovative solutions you are taking to combat COVID-19. As you discuss the latest lessons learned and changes in practice, the conversation will also focus on EVS technicians’ concerns about cleaning in COVID rooms, and will conclude with strategies for planning for a fall surge and additional waves.</p> <hr> <h4><strong>Panelists</strong></h4> <p><img alt="Ruth Carrico" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="10229107-af56-4ee8-ba8d-5c671f3dc9e2" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Carrico_Ruth_150.png" width="150" height="150" class="align-left"></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, CIC, FSHEA, FNAP</strong></p> <p><em>Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases</em></p> <p><em>University of Louisville School of Medicine</em></p> <p><img alt="Rodney Fox" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d175263c-44b6-4627-ac33-083e1fb86a22" height="212" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Fox_Rodney.jpg" width="155"></p> <p><strong>Rodney Fox</strong></p> <p><em>Senior Director of Development - EVS, Pt. Food</em></p> <p><em>University of Chicago Medicine</em></p> <p><img alt="Rock Jensen" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c379fc11-70e1-45f9-b7a7-28f3abb6583b" height="194" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jensen_Rock.jpg" width="175"></p> <p><strong>Rock Jensen</strong></p> <p><em>Â鶹¹Ù·½President Elect</em></p> <p><em>Admin Director of Support Services and Operations</em></p> <p><em>Yuma Regional Medical Center</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Moderator</strong></p> <p><img alt="Patti Costello" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58acdb6c-6083-4583-9d34-27d03e2af276" height="194" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Costello_Patti.jpg" width="157" class="align-left"></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Patti Costello, MT-CHEST, MT-CSCT</strong></p> <p><em>Executive Director</em></p> <p><em>Association for the Health Care Environment</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:24:56 -0500 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) /education-events/coronavirus-update-what-health-care-professionals-need-know-prepare-covid-19 <h2 class="text-align-center">Complimentary to AHA Professional Membership Groups<br> MEMBERS ONLY</h2> <p>In this one-hour webinar, Dr. Michael Bell, Deputy Director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will discuss the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and explore its structure and possible zoonotic origin, mode of transmission, symptoms and disease process. He will provide updates on:</p> <ul> <li>the national and global impacts of COVID-19</li> <li>infection prevention and control strategies</li> <li>risks for exposures</li> <li>optimizing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies</li> </ul> <p>Dr. Bell will conclude the program with the latest guidance on proper cleaning and disinfection of health care facilities, and the use of disinfectant products that have been pre-approved by the EPA for use against COVID-19 and other emerging enveloped viruses.</p> <p><strong>A recording of the program will be sent to registrants on March 20, 2020, and upon registration after March 20th. Accessible to MEMBERS ONLY.</strong></p> <p class="text-align-center"><img alt="Dr. Bell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="727ffa54-f4f4-43dd-b720-cdda76c0a509" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Dr_Bell.png" width="150" height="150"></p> <h4 class="text-align-center">Dr. Michael Bell<br> Deputy Director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion<br> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</h4> <p>Dr. Michael Bell is deputy director of the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion in CDC’s National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases. An expert in drug-resistant pathogens and hospital-acquired infections, Dr. Bell’s career has focused on investigating and preventing transmission of healthcare-associated illnesses for hospital patients and staff alike as well as developing evidence-based infection control guidelines. He has been instrumental in advancing programs for prevention of antimicrobial resistance and improvements in safe medical practices.</p> <p>As chief of the epidemiology unit in the Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, he recommended steps to improve control of high-risk pathogens—such as the Ebola, Marburg, and Nipah viruses— during numerous outbreak responses.</p> <p>Dr. Bell earned the Bachelor of Science in biology and microbiology as well as the Doctor of Medicine from the University of Washington. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He completed a clinical fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of California San Francisco as well as a postdoctoral fellowship in virology and immunology. Dr. Bell is board certified in infectious disease and internal medicine.<br>  </p> Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:31:37 -0500 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19)