SD DOH Healthcare-Associated Infection Webinars
The South Dakota Department of Health invites healthcare professionals to participate in the Quarterly Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Webinar Series. This educational series focuses on improving diagnostic accuracy, supporting appropriate antibiotic use, and preventing healthcare-associated infections across healthcare settings.
Each session will highlight practical strategies for clinicians, infection preventionists, pharmacists, laboratory staff, and healthcare leaders working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare environments.
2026 HAI Precision Stewardship Series
Advancing Diagnostic Accuracy, Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Use, and Preventing Healthcare-Associated Resistant Infections Across the Continuum of Care
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2026–2027 Session Schedule:
From Lab to Bedside: Interpreting Microbiology Reports and Antibiograms with Confidence
July 9, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm CST
Microbiology reports and antibiograms are powerful tools for improving antibiotic decisions—but only if clinicians know how to use them. This session will translate laboratory data into practical clinical guidance, helping providers confidently interpret culture results and select targeted therapy.
Participants will learn how to:
- Interpret common microbiology report components and susceptibility data.
- Use antibiograms to guide targeted antibiotic therapy.
- Turn laboratory results into actionable clinical decisions that improve stewardship and patient care.
Pneumonia 2026: Avoiding Overdiagnosis & Overtreatment Across Healthcare Settings
November 18, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm CST
Pneumonia is one of the most frequently treated infections, yet diagnostic uncertainty often leads to unnecessary antibiotics. This session will help clinicians confidently differentiate true pneumonia from colonization, aspiration, and other non-infectious conditions—improving diagnostic accuracy and antibiotic decision-making across care settings.
Participants will learn how to:
- Identify clinical features that distinguish true pneumonia from non-infectious respiratory conditions.
- Recognize common drivers of pneumonia overdiagnosis.
- Reduce unnecessary antibiotic use while maintaining safe, evidence-based care.
When Gram-Negatives Fight Back: ESBLs, CRE & Avoiding Overtreatment
January 2, 2027, 12:00-1:00 pm CST
Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms are becoming more common across healthcare settings and often lead to unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. This session will break down ESBLs and carbapenem-resistant organisms in practical terms and provide clinicians with clear strategies to recognize when aggressive therapy is needed—and when it isn’t.
Participants will learn how to:
- Recognize ESBL and carbapenem-resistant organisms and understand their clinical significance.
- Identify opportunities to avoid unnecessary escalation to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
- Apply practical stewardship strategies to treat infections effectively while preventing resistance.
Past Webinars
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- NHSN Training Modules
- Resource Book
- Using NHSN to Accurately Report HAIs
- NHSN Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) checklists
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Infection Control Resources
- Resources for Long Term Care (CDC)
- Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit for Nursing Homes (CDC)
- Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training (CDC)
- Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) (CDC)
- Applying High-Reliability Principles to the Prevention and Control of Infections in Long-Term Care (50-minute video from The Joint Commission)
Preventing HAIs
- Health Department HAI/AR Programs
- Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship
- Infection Control Guidelines for Healthcare Settings
- Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)
- Training and Education Resources
- Infection Control Tools
- Educational Resources for Healthcare Professionals
- National Emerging Special Pathogens Training & Education Center (NETEC)
- Enhanced Barrier Precautions (CDC)
- CDC's Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Safe Healthcare Delivery in All Settings
Related Resources
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
- Surgical site infections (SSI)
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDifficile)
- National Healthcare Safety Network
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - HAI Information
- Hospital Compare - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Nursing Home Compare - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services