Through mycelial connections, trees can share resources or send chemical yield signs about invading pests or disease. IPs also share inter-network communication. While we are not literally or physically grounded in our practice we are grounded in our knowledge circle.“
without a leader. The IP is left to find institutional resources on their own as the only subject matter expert or rely on other members of the department. Some IPs are hired as the sole practitioner to start a program or revive an existing program and left to reinvent the proverbial wheel or start from scratch. So, where did the institutional knowledge go and how can we preserve it?
Talk Story and Improve Communication
In Hawai’ i a common phrase that can be heard is“ talk story.” This model of communication is rooted as a cultural practice referring to the sharing of stories and experiences with the intent of developing connections, community and sharing of wisdom. This oral preservation of knowledge is a way of life and includes Hawaiian values like aloha( love and compassion),‘ ohana( family), kuleana( responsibility) and‘ lke( sharing of wisdom). 4 Paul Cook advocated for implementation of talking story beyond current indigenous settings by suggesting use of talking story in“ wider cultural contexts to co-create relational knowledge.” 5 His comparison of Western Research Methodologies( WRM) to Indigenous Research Methodologies( IRM) includes case studies of surf clans with experienced and inexperienced surfers. In other words, what is lived versus what is about to be lived vary vastly. He suggested implementing IRM into WRM to preserve the institutional knowledge base. This principle supports commonalities between the mycelium network and infection prevention and encourages the preservation of knowledge.
The mycelium network is fundamental to ecosystem health and serves as a model of communication. Talk Story provides a cultural foundation for preservation of knowledge and communication and collaboration. IPs are adept at sharing knowledge however there are lessons to be learned from both the mycelium network and the Hawaiian culture to preserve the institutional knowledge of the“ elder trees” to improve communication and collaboration. First is the management of that knowledge and second is the sharing of that knowledge. Preservation of the world wide web of IPC knowledge by engaging in a few minutes of Talking Story can go a long way in the profession of infection prevention.
Linda Goss, DNP, BS, APRN-BC, CIC, COHN-S, FAPIC, is a doctorally prepared adult nurse practitioner who is board certified in infection prevention and occupational health nursing. She is an infection prevention consultant and coordinator and an employee health nurse practitioner. She is a fellow of APIC and volunteers with CBIC after serving on the board of directors and as the 2020 CBIC president. She enjoys tackling marathons which gives her plenty of time to discover the parallels between the outdoors and infection prevention.
References:
Smith SE and Read DJ.( 2008). Mycorrhizal Symbiosis( 3rd ed.). Academic Press.
Simard SW, et al. Net Transfer of Carbon Between Tree Species with Shared Ectomycorrhizal Fungi. Nature, vol. 388, no. 6642, 1997, pp. 579 – 582. https:// doi. org / 10.1038 / 41557.
Morgan DJ, et al. Knowledge Sharing in Infection Prevention in Routine and Outbreak Situations: A Survey of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Research Network. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, vol. 6, no. 1, 2017, p. 10. https:// aricjournal. biomedcentral. com / articles / 10.1186 / s13756- 017-0237-5. Our Values. HULI PAC, https:// www. hulihi. com / hawaiian-values. Cook P. Talk-Story: Performing an Indigenous Research Methodology With Hesitant Non-Indigenous Participants to Learn Previously Silenced Knowledge. Int J Qual Methods, vol. 22, 2023, pp. 1 – 11. SAGE Publications, https:// doi. org / 10.1177 / 16094069231213711.
Dylan Kalnbach of Wanderlust Tours. Courtesy of Linda Goss
may-june 2025 • www. healthcarehygienemagazine. com •
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