Healthcare Hygiene magazine February_2020 | Page 6

from the editor h ealthcarehygienemagazine Doing Your Homework Creates a Strong Business Case for IP&C I Kelly M. Pyrek editor & publisher [email protected] A.G. Hettinger, CPA president & CFO nfection preventionists (IPs) have told me that one of the responsibilities with which they wrestle the most is making the business case for their infection prevention and control (IP&C) programs. Not because they don’t believe in the programs they are defending or lack passion for their vocation, or even the uncertainty around economic principles and formulations. No, what many fear is the interaction with their hospital leadership, and the intimidation factor that looms large in their minds. It is reassuring to see over the last decade or more the role that hospital reimbursement has played in convincing healthcare administrators that IP&C programs are more than just a line item in a budget that can be easily cut. Instead, the enlightened leaders see IPs as one of the best defenses against adverse events, and, working in concert with patient safety, quality and risk managers, IPs have what it takes to lead successful prevention efforts. Making an effective business case doesn’t require magic, it just takes planning, preparation, and purpose, because you’ll be articulating the issues and imperatives that are driving the decisions that healthcare institution leadership are making, as a result of what is keeping them up at night. Being able to speak their lingo is a given; what you can add to the mix is your own personal brand of explaining how to match and align infection prevention-related priorities with hospital priorities, and then accurately and concretely describing strategies to effectively state the business case to leadership in a way that will resonate with them. Experts have emphasized the importance of knowing your numbers; this requires awareness around your organizational targets, a careful review of healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) data, understanding of whether HAI reporting requirements are being met, analyzing gaps, identifying potential risks and describing opportunities for improvement. Experts also recommend creating a compelling vision, supporting goals and an overall timeline for implementation. Justification of desired resources, FTEs and new products/technologies must be the strong underpinning is essential. Do your homework, and the nerves will disappear, one IP once told me. It’s sound advice for nearly every scenario in life, if you ask me. That said, you can prepare all you like for a big meeting, but the business case is something you should be able to pull out of your pocket like a business card; after all, what if you find yourself in an elevator with a member of the hospital C-suite? It’s advisable that all employees be able to give an ‘elevator speech’ if given the opportunity to interact with someone higher up the food chain that can help advance your professional objectives. It’s got to be clear, concise and conversational, and come out of your mouth with the same ease as taking a breath. Practice does make perfect. A strong value proposition is critical. Throughout this issue, you’ll read the perspectives from industry leaders who share their best advice; we hope you’ll take these perspectives and suggestions to heart, and that it helps you become more confident in your endeavors. Patti Valdez art director Mary Johnson sales and marketing specialist [email protected] Linda Lybert business development consultant J. Christine Phillips customer service manager Send inquiries to: [email protected] Healthcare Hygiene magazine is published monthly by Keystone Media Inc. 8925 Ridgeline Boulevard, suite 106, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. Free digital subscriptions available at www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com for U.S., Canada and other foreign subscribers. Copyright © 2019 Keystone Media Inc. All rights reserved. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial material. Advertisers, and/or their agents, assume the responsibility for all content of published advertisements and assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the advertisement. Editorial contributors assume responsibility for their published works and assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the published work. All items submitted to Healthcare Hygiene magazine become the sole property of Keystone Media Inc. Editorial content may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. Until next month, bust those bugs! Kelly M. Pyrek Editor & Publisher [email protected] 6 february 2020 • www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com