infection prevention
infection prevention
By Linda Goss, DNP, BS, APRN-BC, CIC, COHN-S, FAPIC
The Mycelium Network and Infection Prevention: What Can We Learn?
The mycelium network is often referred to as nature’ s
‘ wood wide web,’ consisting of a vast underground fungal network that connects plants and trees through their root systems. I was impressed by Dylan’ s knowledge and his ability to share expert knowledge in a relatable way but also struck by the parallels of this network and the network of infection preventionists( IPs).”
Recently I had the opportunity to snowshoe in the beautiful mountains outside of Bend. Ore. This was an experience I will not soon forget due to the beauty of mountains and the fatigue of my muscles! Our guide, Dylan Kalnbach of Wanderlust Tours, gave us the million-dollar view of Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters while expertly describing one of nature’ s fascinating communication systems known as the mycelium network. The mycelium network is often referred to as nature’ s“ wood wide web,” consisting of a vast underground fungal network that connects plants and trees through their root systems. I was impressed by Dylan’ s knowledge and his ability to share expert knowledge in a relatable way but also struck by the parallels of this network and the network of infection preventionists( IPs). The parallels could provide a nature-made model for infection prevention collaboration.
Understanding the Mycelium Network
Mycelium plays a critical role in forest ecosystems. It forms symbiotic relationships with plant roots, known as mycorrhizae, through which nutrients are exchanged. Plants provide the fungi with carbohydrates, and in return, the fungi supply minerals and water from the soil. 1 Moreover, the network allows for interplant communication. Through mycelial connections, trees can share resources or send chemical yield signs about invading pests or disease. 2 IPs also share inter-network communication. While we are not literally or physically grounded in our practice we are grounded in our knowledge circle. This knowledge circle usually consists of two to three colleagues with whom a close collaborative relationship has been formed. This relationship comes with a certain level of trust in that they have earned your respect, and you embrace and endorse their recommendations. I have a network like this that I tap into regularly; however, this may not be true for everyone. Observation of practices has demonstrated situations of not choosing to“ phone a friend” or research a topic for more information rather than simply handing the issue off to leadership.
Changing the Dynamic
Professional communication among IPs internally and externally has its challenges. A survey on infection prevention knowledge sharing conducted by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America( SHEA) noted recognizing important information and managing knowledge should take precedence over rapid implementation of precaution measures for emerging infectious diseases. 3 The survey was
Mycelium plays a critical role in forest ecosystems and can serve as an analogy for communication in infection prevention. Courtesy of Linda Goss
performed after an outbreak of Ebola virus disease and found that strategies to share knowledge largely does not exist in epidemiology literature. Respondents indicated obstacles to knowledge sharing was frequent and useful feedback after training of healthcare workers in their institution suggests this is the place to start for improvement. This was applicable to routine and outbreak situations. Most hospitals surveyed were found to be open to sharing tools; however, this was rarely the source for developed materials. One explanation for this was poor density of knowledge sharing networks among IPs. How can this be improved? A parallel with the forest and infection prevention may be the key. The preservation and recognition of institutional knowledge. The intricate network of communication amongst the trees in the forest serves as an elder led communication system. When the“ older” yet experienced tree is harvested, that knowledge is lost to the network. The same principle exists among IP professionals in that a new IP may be hired when the existing program has been
8 • www. healthcarehygienemagazine. com • may-june 2025