Water Matters: A Critical Factor in Infection Prevention

Session Description: Water is more than just a utility – it plays a vital role in infection prevention and sterile processing, directly influencing patient safety and accreditation outcomes. This eye-opening session combines technical expertise with compliance insights to explain why water quality matters.

We’ll begin with a unique perspective from a former Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the Joint Commission, who will share how water systems impact accreditation and infection control practices. Drawing on extensive experience, we’ll explore what accrediting bodies look for in water system design, maintenance, and testing – and why these elements are essential for both Infection Prevention and Sterile Processing Departments.

Next, we’ll dive into the technical and scientific aspects of water quality, examining how system components and testing protocols contribute to compliance and safety. Real-world strategies for designing resilient water systems will be highlighted, with a focus on meeting compliance expectations and supporting effective infection prevention approaches.

You’ll gain practical guidance to strengthen your water management plan, learn how evolving water standards impact infection risk, and receive expert insights to prepare your facility for scrutiny.

Jeffrey Holland

Sr. Global Director, Life Sciences, Xylem

Jeff Holland is the Senior Global Director of Life Sciences at Xylem, leading global strategy for healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical device water solutions. With more than 20 years in the water treatment industry, he brings a rare blend of engineering rigor, commercial leadership, and regulatory fluency to critical environments in health sciences. Jeff is an HSPA Educator and an active member of the AAMI/ANSI ST108 committee, contributing directly to the standards that govern water quality for medical device reprocessing. He is known for translating complex technical and compliance requirements into practical, scalable solutions that work in the field. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Engineering and Management from NC State University, and an MBA with a Healthcare concentration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jeff is recognized for his direct style, data-driven mindset, and relentless focus on execution and impact.

Sylvia Garcia-Houchins

Consultant, Gordon & Rosenblatt, LLC

Sylvia Garcia-Houchins joined Gordon & Rosenblatt as a Principal in 2025. Previously, she was Director, Infection Prevention and Control, at the Joint Commission (TJC), where she was responsible for the oversight of infection prevention and control, including training and education, interpretation of requirements and surveying healthcare facilities for standards compliance. Prior to joining TJC, she was Director of Infection Control at University of Chicago Medical Center. Ms. Garcia-Houchins publications include the Cleaning Disinfection, and Sterilization Chapter in The APIC/JCR Infection Prevention and Control Workbook, Fourth Edition and, as co-author, the SHEA Compendium Strategies to Prevent Surgical Site Infections and Implementing Strategies to Prevent Infections in Acute-Care Settings. She also served as an editor and writing for The Joint Commission Guide to Reprocessing Reusable Medical Devices. She is a graduate of Northwestern University (BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), Truman College (RN) and Keller School of Management (MBA).

Cindy Prins

Clinical Associate Professor of Epidemiology, University of Florida

Cindy Prins, PHD, MPH, CIC, CPH, is the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions’ assistant dean for educational affairs, the MPH Program Director, and a clinical associate professor of Epidemiology. Dr. Prins received her PhD in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology from Penn State University in 2000, where she studied replication of JC virus. She completed her post-doctoral training at the University of Florida, focusing on regulation of vaccinia virus transcription elongation. Concurrently, she earned her MPH in the Epidemiology concentration from the College of Public Health and Health Professions at UF in the fall of 2006. After this she worked as an Infection Control Practitioner at UF Health Shands Hospital. Dr. Prins joined the Epidemiology faculty first as an adjunct lecturer in 2009 and then full time as a clinical assistant professor in the fall of 2010. Dr. Prins’ research interests include the prevention of healthcare-associated infections, including those caused by multi-drug resistant organisms, and compliance with vaccine recommendations. Dr. Prins is Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) and Public Health (CPH).