IPC Partners

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats facing healthcare worldwide - but what does it mean in practice for patients, healthcare systems, and infection prevention professionals? In this Insight Webinar, Dr Luke Moore (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) joins Dr Jon Otter and Phil Norville to explore the growing impact of AMR and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), and to discuss the interventions available to help address this complex challenge. The webinar examines: ✅ The global burden and clinical impact of AMR and CPE ✅ Why antimicrobial resistance affects far more than infection treatment alone ✅ The relationship between AMR, healthcare delivery, and patient outcomes ✅ The role of infection prevention and control (IPC) in limiting transmission ✅ Antimicrobial stewardship and appropriate prescribing ✅ The importance of rapid diagnostics and early detection ✅ Screening strategies, isolation, and practical IPC considerations ✅ Education and communication with patients and healthcare professionals ✅ Challenges and opportunities in both high-income and low-income healthcare settings The discussion also includes an extended Q&A covering topics such as screening policies, healthcare infrastructure, contaminated water systems, diagnostic implementation, resistance mechanisms, and strategies for tackling AMR in resource-limited environments. This webinar will be of interest to infection prevention and control professionals, microbiologists, infectious diseases specialists, antimicrobial stewardship teams, healthcare scientists, nurses, pharmacists, and anyone interested in improving healthcare outcomes through better management of antimicrobial resistance. The Insight Webinar series is co-hosted by IPC Partners, the Healthcare Infection Society (HIS), and the Infection Prevention Society (IPS). 🔔 Subscribe for future IPC Partners webinars, journal clubs, and expert discussions on infection prevention, healthcare epidemiology, antimicrobial stewardship, the built environment, and patient safety. #AMR #AntimicrobialResistance #CPE #IPC #InfectionPrevention #AntimicrobialStewardship #Microbiology #HealthcareEpidemiology #PatientSafety #Diagnostics #HealthcareInfectionSociety #InfectionPreventionSociety #HealthcareQuality

In this IPC Partners Journal Club (in partnership with GAMA Healthcare), Dr Phil Norville explores the performance of oxidising disinfectants against Clostridioides difficile spores, one of the most challenging pathogens in healthcare environments. The session reviews a journal paper examining the efficacy of chlorine-based and peracetic acid disinfectants under both clean and “medical dirty” conditions, using EN17126 testing standards. The discussion highlights how real-world factors (such as organic matter, product formulation, and correct application) can significantly impact disinfectant performance. Key topics covered: - Why environmental hygiene is critical for C. difficile prevention - How oxidising disinfectants perform in clean vs. dirty conditions - The importance of formulation (and why “bells and whistles” matter) - Implications for routine practice (e.g. 1,000 ppm chlorine use) - The role of cleaning as a precursor to effective disinfection - Practical IPC considerations: product selection, staff training, and compliance The session also explores broader challenges including real-world effectiveness, variability in practice across the NHS, and the need for better standardisation and evidence-based frameworks for disinfectant selection. 💡 Ideal for IPC teams, microbiologists, clinicians, estates & facilities, and anyone involved in environmental decontamination. 📌 Subscribe to IPC Partners for more journal clubs, expert panels, and webinars on infection prevention and control.

In this webinar, Dr Nneoma Okeke explores how AI and big data can transform infection prevention and control (IPC) from reactive to proactive. By analysing vast healthcare datasets, machine learning models can identify patients at high risk of infection in real time, enabling earlier, targeted interventions and more efficient use of resources. The session highlights the potential for personalised IPC strategies, improved patient outcomes, and smarter decision-making, while emphasising that AI supports (not replaces) clinical judgement. As this field evolves, integrating AI into routine IPC practice could unlock the full value of healthcare data and help prevent infections before they occur.