infection prevention
infection prevention
By Melissa Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC
When to Hire an Infection Prevention Consultant: A Guide for Healthcare Leaders and Product Developers
In the healthcare industry, the role of an infection preventionist( IP) is crucial for safeguarding patient safety and ensuring regulatory compliance. However, many corporations, healthcare facilities, and product development companies often wonder when it’ s the right time to bring in an infection prevention consultant. Here are seven scenarios where hiring an infection prevention expert can significantly benefit your organization or company.
➊ During Vacancies and Onboarding When an infection preventionist leaves an organization,
it creates a significant gap, especially if they were the sole practitioner. To avoid lapses in infection prevention reporting and monitoring, a consultant can step in to provide continuity while the organization searches for a permanent replacement. They can also offer valuable insights and recommendations for the new hire, ensuring a smoother transition. A consultant is particularly helpful during onboarding, especially if they were already assisting during the vacancy. They can ensure that the new IP has all the necessary tools and instructions for success, help them get organized, and support their transition. Additionally, the consultant can help manage the workload while the new employee undergoes orientation and becomes acclimated to the facility.
➋ After an Inspection Inspections and regulatory visits are stressful for everyone
in the organization. This stress is compounded when issues are found, and immediate actions are required. The full-time IP may already be overextended with their daily responsibilities, making it difficult to manage post-inspection corrections effectively. To avoid further disruption, an IP consultant can help prepare a response and implement necessary changes after a regulatory or accreditation visit. They can also collaborate with the existing IP to develop processes that prevent future citations and deficiencies, ensuring continuous compliance.
➌ Developing or Launching a New Medical Device or Product
If your company is developing a new medical device or launching a healthcare-related product, involving an infection preventionist early in the process is essential. Unlike other healthcare professionals, IPs focus exclusively on infection risks and can evaluate your product through a specialized lens. Their expertise ensures that your product aligns with infection prevention protocols, potentially preventing issues that could arise later during product launch or regulatory reviews. Companies that overlook this input often face challenges when infection control considerations are not adequately addressed during development.
➍ Creating or Revising Manufacturer’ s Instructions for Use( IFU)
Healthcare facilities are required to follow the manufacturer’ s instructions for use( IFU) strictly. However, many companies create technical IFUs that are difficult for frontline healthcare
workers to interpret. If the instructions are unclear, healthcare providers may avoid using the product altogether due to fear of non-compliance with regulatory bodies like The Joint Commission or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services( CMS). An infection prevention consultant can help revise or create clear, user-friendly IFUs, ensuring compliance with infection prevention guidelines and reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections( HAIs).
➎ Expanding into New Markets
When you’ re looking to introduce an existing product into new markets— especially in specialized healthcare settings like operating rooms— consulting with an infection prevention expert becomes vital. Each market has unique infection control challenges that must be addressed. An IP consultant can help identify potential risks in these environments and provide guidance on adjustments needed to ensure your product complies with specific infection prevention standards. This proactive approach minimizes the chances of setbacks when entering new healthcare markets.
➏ Educating Your Sales and Executive Staff Many companies have innovative healthcare products but struggle to bridge the gap between their offerings and infection prevention requirements. Sales teams, in particular, may lack the knowledge to effectively communicate the infection control benefits of their products to healthcare professionals. An infection prevention consultant can educate your staff on the basics of infection control and help them engage confidently with healthcare facilities’ infection prevention teams. This education empowers your sales force to demonstrate the real value of your products in preventing infections.
➐ Managing Outbreak Situations
If your facility is facing an outbreak— especially when managing multiple healthcare locations or if your in-house infection preventionist is inexperienced— bringing in a consultant can provide critical support. Consultants offer guidance on outbreak management, help contain the spread, and ensure compliance with infection control protocols. Additionally, if your facility lacks a dedicated IP due to staff turnover, a consultant can step in temporarily to manage outbreaks and train your team on how to handle future incidents.
In summary, there are several critical situations where an infection prevention consultant can provide essential support. Whether you’ re filling an IP vacancy, addressing inspection deficiencies, developing a new medical device, refining manufacturer instructions for use, expanding into new markets, training staff, or managing an outbreak, a consultant brings specialized expertise to keep infection prevention a top priority. Engaging a consultant at the right time helps organizations and companies strengthen their infection prevention programs, maintain compliance, and ultimately improve patient and resident safety.
Melissa Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, is the principal of IP & C Consulting, LLC and may be reached through her website: www. ipandcconsulting. com
12 • www. healthcarehygienemagazine. com • mar-apr 2025