You may notice there’s a new name under the title of this month’s editorial. However, if you’re an avid reader of the magazine, you’ve seen me before! I joined Healthcare Purchasing News at the start of 2024 as the associate editor, writing a feature per month in the magazine and holding down some of the backend duties.
This is as good a time as any to reflect on what I’ve noticed over the course of my tenure so far here at HPN. Perhaps the biggest escalation I have noticed is the increase in AI (artificial intelligence) implementation in practically every area we cover in the healthcare industry. There is a preponderance of studies aiming to capture its efficacy (or shortcomings), and new products are constantly being introduced and workshopped as companies and health systems try to balance innovation with proven effectiveness.
While new technology may be alluring, there are also constant developments happening in the worlds of sterile processing, infection prevention, surgical and critical care, and supply chain. These things inevitably intertwine and work in tandem such that the old (and ever-relevant) topics are constantly shifting and changing. It’s part of what I love so much about the areas we cover – innovation in all facets of healthcare never stops, and it’s fascinating to see which ways the tides turn. I’ve been focused on bringing you relevant and topical information from all sides of the healthcare ecosystem, and all of us here at Healthcare Purchasing News remain dedicated to that mission as things change.
We have some exciting developments coming in the near (and far) future at HPN, and in the meantime, I’m excited to be able to present this edition of the magazine. With respiratory illness season encroaching and autumn just around the corner, my feature this month tackles what hospitals and health systems learned from last year’s annual rise in illness rates before cases reach their seasonal peaks this year.
This month’s magazine also features Part One of a two-part feature on high-level disinfection. This opening feature acts as a broader perspective on the topic before we dive deeper into specific tips and best practices in the October issue. In addition, we’ve taken a look at sharps safety and examined the strides taken there over the past several years, as well as the steps we still must take to provide a safer environment for clinicians and patients alike.
As we prepare for 2026, we also want to ask you, our readers, what topics you’re most interested in seeing us cover. We always want to ensure we reflect what’s top of mind for all of you. My line is always open.
