Insider Tips for Infection Control from Expert Dawn Azevedo

Infection prevention expert Dawn Azevedo joins the show to pull back the curtain on how hospitals keep patients safe from the "black box" of healthcare-acquired infections. From the legacy of Ignaz Semmelweis to modern systems thinking, Dawn explains why preventing a mistake is more powerful than treating one. Discover why "movement is medicine," how paramedics can protect themselves against stealthy diseases like meningitis, and why you should never be afraid to ask your doctor, "Why?"

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Prevention vs. Control: The philosophy behind renaming the field to focus on stopping infections before they start.

• The Power of the Patient: Why being an "engaged consumer" of healthcare—and even using Google—can lead to better outcomes.

• Pre-Hospital Safety: Tactical advice for first responders on using PPE as a default to avoid high-risk exposures.

• Systems Thinking: How hospitals are engineered to make human error difficult, including the surprising role of pre-warming blankets in surgery.

• The Sick Leave Dilemma: How economic incentives and HR policies can unintentionally encourage caregivers to work while ill.

• Public Health vs. "Sick Care": Why walkable communities and nutritious food are more influential on long-term health than the hospital itself.

• The Top 3 Tips: Dawn’s essential checklist for every patient: Wash your hands, ask "Why?", and get moving.