The SHEA Podcast

Nurses are the backbone of patient care, but their role in antibiotic and diagnostic stewardship is still underrecognized. In this episode of The SHEA Podcast, host Dr. Marisa Holubar is joined by Dr. Eileen Carter and Dr. David Ha to explore why nurses are essential to stewardship success. Together, they discuss the evidence behind nursing engagement, persistent barriers to involvement, and real-world examples where nurse-led initiatives have reduced antibiotic use, infections, and waste. From IV-to-PO transitions to penicillin allergy assessment and diagnostic stewardship, this conversation offers practical strategies for engaging nurses, leveraging shared governance, and building stronger, more effective stewardship programs across care settings.

References:
Thurman Johnson C, Ridge LJ, Hessels AJ. Nurse Engagement in Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: A Scoping Review of the Literature. J Healthc Qual. 2023 Mar-Apr 01;45(2):69-82. doi: 10.1097/JHQ.0000000000000372. Epub 2022 Dec 12. PMID: 36729679; PMCID: PMC9991980.

Shenoy ES, Macy E, Rowe T, Blumenthal KG. Evaluation and Management of Penicillin Allergy: A Review. JAMA. 2019 Jan 15;321(2):188-199. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.19283. PMID: 30644987.

Carter EJ, Schramm C, Baron K, Zolla MM, Zavez K, Banach DB. Perceived usefulness of a mnemonic to improve nurses' evaluation of reported penicillin allergies. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol. 2023 Jul 11;3(1):e124. doi: 10.1017/ash.2023.177. PMID: 37502243; PMCID: PMC10369439.

Carter EJ, Zavez K, Schramm C, Zolla MM, Baron K, Banach DB. Multifaceted implementation strategy to improve the evaluation of penicillin allergies in perioperative patients: a pre-post feasibility implementation study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2024 Oct 30;45(12):1-7. doi: 10.1017/ice.2024.119. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39473231; PMCID: PMC11663472.

Resources:
ANCC Magnet Recognition Program: https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/magnet/

Breakpoints, The SIDP Podcast: https://breakpoints-sidp.org/18-waking-the-sleeping-giant-engaging-nurses-in-antimicrobial-stewardship/

On this episode of the SHEA Podcast, Executive Director Kristy Weinshel welcomes Dr. Lisa Maragakis, SHEA’s 2026 president. Dr. Maragakis shares her journey in infection prevention, her path to leadership within SHEA, and her vision for the organization in the year ahead. Tune in for insights on mentorship, balancing leadership roles, and the key challenges and priorities facing SHEA members in 2026.

As SHEA closes out the year, Executive Director Kristy Weinshel sits down with SHEA President Dr. David Weber to reflect on his term and the state of infection prevention. Dr. Weber shares accomplishments, challenges, insights on policy and advocacy, and how the field has evolved over the past year. He also looks ahead to what’s next for SHEA and offers advice for those considering a career in infection prevention.

In this episode of the SHEA Podcast, host Dr. Jonathan Ryder moderates a lively pro/con debate on one of the most discussed biomarkers in infectious diseases: procalcitonin.

Joining the conversation are two experts with distinct perspectives: Dr. Michael Mansour, Clinician Investigator and Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Sheetal Kandiah, Senior Physician and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University; Director of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Grady Hospital.

Together, they explore where PCT may (or may not) add value in antimicrobial stewardship programs. Tune in for an insightful exchange that will help stewards, clinicians, and ID professionals better understand where PCT fits into today’s rapidly evolving diagnostic landscape.

In this episode of The SHEA Podcast, host Dr. Jonathan Ryder (University of Nebraska Medical Center) speaks with Dr. Aditi Ramakrishnan (Washington University in St. Louis) about how antimicrobial stewardship programs can play a vital role in managing and preventing resistant sexually transmitted infections. They explore the challenges and opportunities at this intersection — from the promise and controversy surrounding doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP), to the debate over routine STI screening among populations on PrEP, and the broader stewardship considerations beyond antibiotic use.