patient safety & quality
By J . Hudson Garrett Jr ., PhD , MSN , MPH , MBA , FNP-BC , IP-BC , PLNC , CFER , AS-BC , VA-BC , BC- MSLcert™ , MSL-BC , CPPS , CPHQ , CPXP , CVAHP , LTC-CIP , FACDONA , FAAPM , FNAP , FSHEA , FIDSA , FACHE
The Impetus to Drive Change Across the Healthcare Continuum to Reduce Healthcare- Associated Infections
In healthcare settings , healthcare-associated infections ( HAIs ) are a persistent problem , leading to morbidity , mortality , and increased healthcare costs . In order to address this issue , change leadership is needed to promote and implement effective infection control practices . This article will discuss the need for change leadership in reducing HAIs in healthcare , the benefits of effective change leadership , and strategies for implementing change .
Change leadership is necessary to reduce HAIs in healthcare because it involves implementing new practices and processes that will require significant changes to the way healthcare is delivered .”
HAIs are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment , either in a hospital , outpatient clinic , or long-term care facility . They are caused by a variety of pathogens , including bacteria , viruses , and fungi , and can result from a failure to adhere to proper infection control practices . HAIs can lead to prolonged hospital stays , increased healthcare costs , and even death . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), HAIs affect 1 in 31 hospital patients and result in an estimated 99,000 deaths each year in the United States alone . These infections are widely recognized as mostly preventable , but the advancement of evidence-based practices to every single patient ’ s bedside has been a limiting factor for many years for infection preventionists and other patient safety professionals .
Change leadership is necessary to reduce HAIs in healthcare because it involves implementing new practices and processes that will require significant changes to the way healthcare is delivered . Effective change leadership involves engaging and empowering staff members to embrace these changes and take ownership of the new practices . It also involves identifying and addressing the barriers to change , such as lack of resources , resistance to change , and competing priorities .
Effective change leadership can bring about a number of benefits for reducing HAIs in healthcare . First , it can help to establish a culture of safety and accountability within healthcare organizations . When healthcare workers understand the importance of infection control practices and are empowered to take ownership of these practices , they are more likely to adhere to them consistently . This can result in a decrease in the incidence of HAIs .
. healthcarehygienemagazine . com • march 2023
Second , effective change leadership can help to improve the quality of care that patients receive . When infection control practices are consistently followed , patients are less likely to acquire infections during their hospital stay . This can lead to improved patient outcomes , such as shorter hospital stays , reduced morbidity and mortality , and decreased healthcare costs .
Finally , effective change leadership can lead to improved staff satisfaction and retention . When staff members are engaged in the change process and feel that their input is valued , they are more likely to feel a sense of ownership and commitment to the new practices . This can lead to increased job satisfaction and retention rates .
Implementing change to reduce HAIs in healthcare requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of these infections . One key strategy is to implement evidence-based infection control practices , such as hand hygiene , environmental cleaning , and appropriate use of personal protective equipment . These practices must be consistently reinforced and monitored in order to ensure adherence .
Another strategy is to provide staff members with the education and resources needed to effectively implement these practices . This may involve providing regular training sessions , disseminating educational materials , and ensuring that staff members have access to the necessary equipment and supplies .
It is also important to engage staff members in the change process by soliciting their input and feedback , and involving them in the development and implementation of new infection control practices . This can help to build a sense of ownership and commitment to the new practices , and can also help to identify and address any barriers to change .
Reducing healthcare-associated infections in healthcare requires effective change leadership . Change leadership can help to establish a culture of safety and accountability , improve the quality of care that patients receive , and improve staff satisfaction and retention . Implementing evidence-based infection control practices , providing staff members with education and resources , and engaging staff members in the change process are key strategies for reducing HAIs in healthcare . By embracing change leadership , healthcare organizations can take a significant step towards improving patient safety and reducing the incidence of HAIs .
J . Hudson Garrett Jr ., PhD , MSN , MPH , MBA , FNP-BC , IP-BC , PLNC , CFER , AS-BC , VA-BC , BC-MSLcert™ , MSL-BC , CPPS , CPHQ , CPXP , CVAHP , LTC-CIP , FACDONA , FAAPM , FNAP , FSHEA , FIDSA , FACHE is president and CEO of Community Health Associates , LLC and also serves as an adjunct assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville School of Medicine . He is a fellow with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement , and has earned designation as a fellow with both the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Infectious Diseases Society of America . He is a frequent lecturer globally on patient safety , infectious diseases , and medical device reprocessing and safety . He may be reached at :
Hudson . garrett @ chaassociates . com .
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