Can a simple nasal antiseptic protect ICU patients from deadly MRSA infections? This episode dives into how a Michigan hospital team reduced bloodstream infections with a twice-daily antiseptic, why it worked, and what it takes to implement this approach. With expert insights and real-world challenges, this is prevention in action, right under your nose.
Guests:
- Sarah Prascius, MPH, CIC, Infection Prevention Specialist, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital – Michigan
- Alex Wells, MPH, CIC, CPHQ, Manager of Safety and Reliability, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital – Michigan
- Tricia Stein, MD, FIDSA, FACP, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship and Chief of the Infectious Disease Section, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital – Michigan
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Sarah Prascius
Sarah Prascius, MPH, CIC is an Infection Prevention Specialist at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Sarah received her Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University in 2017. From 2017 to 2021, she worked clinically in many specialties including emergency, pediatrics, internal medicine, pain management, and endocrinology. After shifting her focus to epidemiology and public health, Sarah received her Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan in 2022. She began her career at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in 2021 as a Quality Specialist, later transitioning into her current role as an Infection Prevention Specialist at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital in 2022. She became board-certified in Infection Control in 2024.
Alex Wells
Alex Wells, MPH, CIC, and CPHQ, is a Manager of Safety and Reliability at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital in Michigan. Her background is in public health and hospital epidemiology, with a Master of Public Health in Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. She started her career in Infection Prevention in 2019 and played a key role in implementing the COVID-19 response at her hospital. Alex’s focus areas include preventing device-associated infections, high-level disinfection and sterilization, and performance improvement. She has been certified in infection prevention and control since 2021 and also holds certifications as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and Central Sterile Vendor Partner (CCSVP). Additionally, Alex serves on her local APIC chapter board.
Tricia Stein
Dr. Tricia Stein, MD, FIDSA, FACP, serves as the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship, as well as the Chief of the Infectious Disease Section at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. She is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease. Dr. Stein actively participates on local and national committees committed to advancing infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, demonstrating her dedication to excellence and innovation in patient care.