Victor D. Rosenthal, M.D., Ph.D., research associate professor and director of the M.P.H. and M.S.P.H. programs, has been appointed Editor-in-Chief and Lead Author of the International Recommendations for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections on behalf of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID).
The newly published recommendations provide evidence-based guidance for preventing three major types of healthcare-associated infections: central line-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Developed by an international panel of experts convened by ISID, the guidelines are designed to be applicable across diverse healthcare settings worldwide.
“Different countries have access to very different levels of resources for preventing healthcare-associated infections,” said Dr. Rosenthal. “For this reason, it is essential to develop guidelines that are adaptable across healthcare systems, taking into account local infrastructure, feasibility, and available resources.”
The position papers consolidate current evidence on infection rates, risk factors, excess length of stay, costs, and mortality associated with healthcare-associated infections in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries. The recommendations emphasize practical, scalable prevention strategies intended to reduce avoidable harm and improve quality of care worldwide.
Dr. Rosenthal is internationally recognized for his work in the epidemiology, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections and has dedicated more than three decades to advancing patient safety and infection prevention.
In addition to his academic role, he is Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium, a global research network involving more than 2,500 investigators across 45 countries. His work has informed infection prevention guidelines used by health systems, professional societies, and international organizations, and includes more than 400 peer-reviewed publications. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the U.S. Infusion Therapy and Vascular Access Standards of Practice of the Infusion Nursing Society.
The publication of these international recommendations represents a significant step toward aligning infection prevention practices across healthcare systems.
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Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published on January 22, 2026.
