Presentation Title: The Art and Science of Reading a Scientific Journal Article ​
Guest Speaker: Lori Moore, MPH, MSCE, BSN, RN, Clinical Educator, GOJO Industries, Inc.
Brief Overview: The presentation focuses on understanding how to critically read and evaluate scientific journal articles. ​ It emphasizes evidence-based medicine, the hierarchy of evidence, analytic epidemiology, and the importance of distinguishing between statistical and clinical significance.
Presentation Objectives:

• Describe the process of evidence-based medicine, the hierarchy of evidence of study designs, and the two major branches of analytic epidemiology. ​
• Identify the formal sections of a research article and the key elements to look for in each section. ​
• Recognize the difference between statistical significance and clinical significance. ​

Presentation Title: Intersection of Infection Control and Biosafety
Guest Speaker: Patrick Conley, MS, CBSP, NREMT
Brief Overview: The presentation explores the intersection of Biosafety and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), highlighting their shared goals, stressors, and the need for collaboration. It emphasizes the importance of forming partnerships to address challenges in containing and treating high-risk communicable diseases like Ebola and COVID-19.​
Presentation Objectives:

• Identify scope and operational similarities between Biosafety and IPC.
• Compare responsibilities for workplaces and customers.
• Understand shared priorities and general duties.
• Address stressors and pitfalls faced by Biosafety Officers and Infection Preventionists.
• Create resources and partnerships to mitigate challenges and improve safety practices.

Presentation Title: Disinfection in Healthcare: Pitfalls, Challenges, and Getting it Right ​
Guest Speaker: Mark Hodgson
Brief Overview: The presentation focuses on the challenges posed by biofilms in healthcare settings, their role in patient infections, and the limitations of current disinfection practices. ​ It highlights the formation, characteristics, and resistance of biofilms, including dry surface biofilms, and their impact on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). ​ The session also discusses effective antibacterial chemistries and strategies to address biofilms, emphasizing the importance of using EPA-registered disinfectants. ​
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Presentation Objectives:

• Explain how biofilms develop. ​
• Describe the function of persister cells. ​
• Explain how dry biofilms differ from traditional biofilms.
• Discuss the risk that dry biofilms pose in the hospital environment.Describe the best antibacterial chemistries to address biofilms.