Infection Prevention Expert Phenelle Segal to Present at Florida Society of ASCs' 2018 Quality & Risk Management Conference

Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC, founder of Florida-based Infection Control Consulting Services (ICCS), will present at the 2018 Florida Society of Ambulatory Surgical Centers' (FSASC) Quality & Risk Management Conference.

The FSASC conference is scheduled for April 19-20 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

Segal, an FSASC member, is scheduled to present on Thursday, April 19, from 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Her topic is "Infection Prevention Update – Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection."

The description of her session is as follows: "This year highlights a major update of the 1998 'Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection' and includes strategies that are important in the outpatient setting as well as inpatient. The presentation will also include antimicrobial stewardship as it pertains to the ASC setting."

This annual FSASC meeting focuses solely on the development of superior quality outcomes in ASCs and reducing the risks present in patient encounters. The mission of FSASC is to "...advance the ASC industry through community awareness and government advocacy and to promote the professionalism of its members through education, networking and the exchange of information."

To arrange an on-site meeting in Orlando or schedule a phone consultation with Phenelle, contact ICCS.

About Infection Control Consulting Services (ICCS)

ICCS is a provider of infection prevention and infection control services headquartered in Florida. Serving ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals, outpatient care facilities, dentists and all other healthcare organizations in Florida and throughout the country, ICCS services include assistance with accreditation survey preparation and regulatory requirements, on-site facility visits, preparation of and assistance with corrective plans of action related to survey deficiencies, and infection preventionist mentoring and onboarding.
 

Phenelle Segal
Apr 2, 2018

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Florida Struggles With Growing Number of HIV Infections

Florida is experiencing a significant growth in HIV infection cases, according to a Florida Department of Health report (pdf).

In 2012, the number of reported cases was 4,512, well below the more than 7,800 reported in 2008. But in 2013, the number increased to 5,467 cases. In 2014, it increased further, up 12% to 6,147 cases.

The five leading counties in Florida reporting the highest  number of HIV cases in 2014 were:

1. Miami-Dade 
2. Broward 
3. Orange 
4. Hillsborough
5. Palm Beach

The report, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicates Florida was the state with the highest number of newly diagnosed HIV infection cases in 2013.

All six of Florida's large metropolitan statistical areas — Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Jacksonville and West Palm Beach — reported more cases individually than many states as a whole, with Miami reporting more cases than all but four other states in the U.S.

The Florida Department of Health and CDC provides a wealth resources to assist with HIV prevention and provide help for those with the infection. Here are links to some of these resources:

• Florida HIV Prevention Program
• Florida resources and links for living well with HIV (pdf)
• Florida HIV counseling, testing and referral sites
• Florida HIV/AIDS information overview
• CDC HIV/AIDS website
• CDC HIV/AIDS prevention guidance
• AIDS.gov (managed by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Phenelle Segal
Jun 30, 2015

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Central Florida Hospitals Recognize Achievement in Infection Prevention Reduction

The importance of a commitment by organizational leadership to improving "best practices" in infection prevention is evident as two large hospital systems in Central Florida have reported major changes in their infection rates for 2013-2014, according to an Orlando Sentinel column.

After forming teams that focus on various aspects of infection prevention, the Orlando Health and Florida Hospital systems reported very promising results that can serve as a model for hospitals nationwide as the federal government steps up its efforts to work with healthcare facilities to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

"According to hospital research, Orlando Health's Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and South Seminole Hospital had no cases of catheter-associated urinary-tract infections in 2013 and 2014. Dr. P. Phillips Hospital also reduced Clostridium difficile infection by more than 40 percent from 2013 to 2014. [Dr. Thomas Kelley, interim chief quality officer at Orlando Health] said the hospital system has expanded the practices that yield these results to all of its hospitals."

In addition, "Florida Hospital reported that it reduced central-line infections systemwide by 77 percent from 2013 to 2014."

Phenelle Segal
Jan 31, 2015

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