Microbiology Testing Services

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, October 10, 2024

Since 1986, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology has championed International Infection Prevention Week. For 2024, the event takes place from October 13^th to the 19^th.

International Infection Prevention Week highlights the importance of infection prevention professionals and their infection prevention efforts and control practices. These are crucial tasks as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that on any given day, about 1 in 31 patients receiving care in a hospital has at least one healthcare-associated infection, also known as HAI. For nursing home residents, CDC shares that about 1 in 43 has at least one infection in association with their healthcare.

HAIs are infections that patients get while or soon after receiving health care. They can also occur from being in a medical setting, such as a hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, surgery center, or nursing home. There are numerous different organisms that can cause an HAI, and these bacteria, fungi, and viruses can be spread in various ways. These could include from direct or indirect contact, ingestion, and inhalation.

“Fortunately, there are infection control professionals that are dedicated to protecting patients, workers, and building occupants from getting sick,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Healthcare provider training, hand washing and personal hygiene, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and effective environmental cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are just some of the numerous actions that can help to prevent new infections.”

Dedicated to preventing the spread of germs in the built environment are the scientists at EMSL Analytical, Inc. With dozens of laboratories across North America, they provide infection control and environmental testing for a wide range of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. This form of testing can be instrumental for confirming cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-risk environments, and can also be helpful for pinpointing the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about International Infection Prevention Week that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/4op0-mlaNIY

For more information about infection control testing resources, or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.