IAQ radio interview with Andrew Streifel U of MN

Andrew Streifel - N. Carlson

I've had the pleasure to work with Andrew Streifel for over 30 years, first as a graduate student and then as a co-worker at the University of Minnesota Department of Environmental Health and Safety.  He is a prolific author of journal articles, an excellent speaker and the go to consultant for hospitals around the world when they are trying to solve a difficult infection control problem.

In the summer of 2017, he was interviewed on IAQ Radio discussing aspects of health care acquired infections, formerly known as nosocomial or hospital acquired infections.  In IAQ Radio Episode 470 Andrew Streifel, he reviewed the major areas of concern including infection sources, sampling methods and case studies of patient infections.

This is a list of just some of the factors mentioned that contribute to health care acquired infections:

• The clothing worn by guests visiting a patient can be contaminated with spores from the outdoor air.
• The previous occupant of a patient care room may pass their infection onto the next patient. Therefore, the quality of surface decontamination between patients is critical. 
• Improper installation of building filters allows outside air to by pass the filters. 
• A negatively pressurized building can bring in unfiltered air into the patient care area. 

I hope you get a chance to listen to the full interview. It provides many helpful suggestions for investigating health care acquired infections.

Andrew Streifel on IAQ Radio - 1 hour