Professional Role and Affiliation
Dr. Carlene A. Muto, MD, MS, serves as the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Temple University Health System (Temple Health), located in Philadelphia, PA. She practices primarily within the Temple Infectious Diseases clinic at Temple University Hospital (3401 N. Broad Street, Rock Pavilion Basement, Zone A, Suite A050). Her contact number through Temple Health is 800-836-7536. Dr. Muto holds board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in Infectious Disease.
Educational Background
Dr. Muto earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science (MS) in Epidemiology from the University of Virginia (1996–1999). She completed her infectious diseases fellowship at the University of Virginia.
Clinical and Academic Expertise
Dr. Muto is recognized as a nationally prominent leader in the domains of infection prevention, hospital epidemiology, and patient safety advocacy, with a significant focus on controlling and reducing rates of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly antibiotic-resistant organisms. She has more than 30 years of clinical experience in infectious disease medicine and internal medicine.
Her responsibilities at Temple Health encompass leadership in infection prevention programs, overseeing clinical effectiveness initiatives, and hospital epidemiology efforts. She maintains a prominent role in educating medical staff and the community about infectious diseases and preventive measures.
Research Contributions and Scholarly Work
Dr. Muto has an extensive research portfolio comprising at least 78 published scientific works with over 6,100 citations, demonstrating her influence in infectious disease epidemiology and hospital infection control. Her key research interests include the control of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, outbreak investigations (e.g., Clostridium difficile, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, multidrug-resistant organisms), and surveillance strategies to reduce nosocomial infections. Notable publications include studies on outbreak management, cost-effectiveness of surveillance cultures, and interventions to reduce multidrug-resistant organism transmission in healthcare settings.
Professional Contributions and Public Engagement
As Medical Director of Infection Prevention at Temple Health, Dr. Muto frequently contributes expert commentary and public education on infectious disease topics. Recent media engagements include:
- Offering insights on RSV vaccines (December 2023).
- Providing expert perspective on norovirus outbreaks and prevention strategies (January 2025).
- Explaining the contagious nature of measles and promoting vaccination efforts (April 2025).
- Discussing the significance of wastewater surveillance data for COVID-19 trends (August 2024).
- Guiding community awareness about common germ hotspots in domestic environments.
These appearances reflect her active leadership in public health communication and community outreach on infectious disease prevention.
Previous Positions and Career History
Dr. Muto previously held the position of Senior Medical Director of Clinical Effectiveness and was a Hospital Epidemiologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals before her current tenure at Temple Health. She also held faculty appointments as Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, underscoring her academic involvement alongside clinical leadership.
Key Identifiers and Professional Credentials
- NPI Number: 1215905153
- Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease
- Office Location: Temple Infectious Diseases, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
- Telephone: 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536)
- LinkedIn Profile: [linkedin.com/in/carlene-a-muto-04b13592](http://www.linkedin.com/in/carlene-a-muto-04b13592)
- Temple Health Profile: [templehealth.org/doctors/carlene-muto](https://www.templehealth.org/doctors/carlene-muto)
Dr. Muto’s combination of clinical expertise, high-level administrative roles in infection prevention, and prolific research activities place her at the forefront of infection control initiatives at Temple Health. Her active involvement in media outreach and education signals a strategic role in shaping patient safety protocols and public health strategies within the system and the wider community.
