Heather Punke, Becker’s Hospital Review
Healthcare workers touch their faces multiple times each hour, and raising awareness of this habit and its effects could improve hand hygiene compliance, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control. Healthcare workers could spread germs and get sick themselves if they don't practice hand hygiene after patient contact or after contact with a contaminated environment and then touch their face — and this study shows workers touch their face quite often.

Jennifer Bresnick, Health IT Analytics
In his annual budget request, President Obama will ask Congress for $1.2 billion to fight hospital acquired infections produced by superbugs, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year. With antibiotic stewardship becoming a hot topic among hospitals forking over financial penalties for preventable infections, the funding would provide a significant platform for healthcare providers to continue battling their insidious foe.

Infection Control Today
Researchers from the Chicago Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Prevention Epicenter (C-PIE) were able to reduce colonization and infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae (KPC CRE) at four long‐term acute care hospitals using a bundled approach of prevention strategies. Healthcare-associated infections due to antibiotic‐resistant bacteria result in greater risk of death and higher costs.

Rebecca Newton, Harvard Business Review
It’s the question missing from so much of leadership development: "What kind of leader do you want to be?" We facilitate and encourage self-awareness among up-and-coming leaders (what kind of leader you are), get them to map their journeys so far (what has made you the leader you are), share knowledge and ideas (what kind of leader you should be), and help them acquire new skills and adopt new behaviors (this is how you can become that kind of leader).

Rosalind Cardinal, Huffington Post, The Blog
Think back on your career and the managers you have had. I am sure that you have had good managers and others who were maybe not so great. When I ask people to list what made the good managers "good," most of the examples they give me are to do with behavior, or style.

We’re gathering submissions for the next issue of EXPLORE magazine, where we’re digging into the many facets of EVS—beyond just cleaning and disinfection. There are so many other responsibilities and aspects of the job, so we want to solicit your expertise to share with other AHE members. Do you have special knowledge in the following areas? If so, email EXPLORE editor Heather at hwilliams@naylor.com to learn how you can contribute.

Topics: Patient transport, waste management and compliance (where to find /how to find it by state), safety and security, workplace violence (active shooters/emergency management), construction and design

There is still time for you to submit your Annual Conference session ideas. We understand there may have been some technical difficulties with the submission process so we want to ensure that everyone has a chance to have their ideas heard. Here are some possible topics to get you started. Does your hospital have a special spin on one of these? Let us know!

Topics: New employee orientation, strategic planning, spiritual support programs , new volunteer orientation, ROI, joint commission visits, onboarding your new team, comfort blankets, gift shop strategies, pet therapy programs , student summer programs , social media programs, rewards and recognition, music therapy, hospice programs, avoiding risk programs, recording volunteer hours , walking programs.

Access the 2015 calendar of events for AHE learning opportunities, including courses, webinars, and the annual conference. Registration to open shortly.