infection prevention
Symposium on Infection Prevention & Control Tackles the Tough Issues Facing the Profession
The virtual Symposium on Infection Prevention & Control , held Nov . 1-3 , 2022 , developed by Healthcare Hygiene magazine and Keystone Media Inc ., explored some of the most pressing issues facing the profession and provided experts ’ perspectives on tackling perennial issues with innovative strategies . A limited number of seats for this symposium is still available ; RSVP at : https :// inevent . com / en / KeystoneMediaInc / SymposiumonInfectionPreventionandControl / form . php
I think we continue to struggle with rebuilding the resilience of the patient safety culture that we had prior to the COVID-19 pandemic . We have lost our sustainable healthcareassociated infection prevention status that we had pre-COVID at the frontline of care .”
— Connie Steed , MSN , RN , CIC ,
FAPIC
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In her presentation addressing controversies and conundrums in infection prevention and control , Connie Steed , MSN , RN , CIC , FAPIC , reviewed and reflected on healthcare infection prevention and control during the past 50 years while describing the current state of the profession .
As Steed noted , “ I think we continue to struggle with rebuilding the resilience of the patient safety culture that we had prior to the COVID-19 pandemic . We have lost our sustainable healthcare-associated infection prevention status that we had pre-COVID at the frontline of care . And so today , we ’ re still working on getting back those successful , sustainable prevention methods .”
Steed acknowledged the numerous challenges facing today ’ s IP & C programs , including staffing challenges , an aging workforce , and the threat of burnout , as well as resourcing challenges , supply chain issues and the struggle to follow manufacturers ’ instructions for use ( IFUs ). She pointed to a shift in how people think about infection transmission post-pandemic , as well as the escalating expectations and demands of the profession .
In her presentation , Steed outlined the challenges and conundrums associated with each of several big issues , including the infection prevention workforce ; IP & C program infrastructure variation , including organizational IP & C decision making and priorities ; sustaining best practice , including healthcare provider compliance and accountability with IP & C standards of practice ; HAI prevention and control innovation , including evidence-based practice and early adaption with grey literature ; as well as addressing emerging pathogens that are impacting the profession . Steed also discussed strategies to address these issues to make way for progress in a post-COVID world .
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Robert Garcia , BS , MT ( ASCP ), CIC , FAPIC , reviewed the 14 imperatives that will impact infection prevention and control post-COVID and into the future that were recently published in AJIC as a paper titled “ Recommendations for Change in Infection Prevention Programs & Practice .”
Garcia touched upon several key areas from this paper , environmental contamination , diagnostic stewardship , and bloodstream infections , and shared his thoughts on the current guidance for addressing critical issues currently affecting infection prevention programs with an emphasis on the implementation of innovative , cost-effective , and evidence-based interventions , engaging healthcare leaders and experts in clinical care in proven prevention measures , holding staff accountable , and adopting high reliability principles .
“ The advances must be accomplished with the understanding of the importance of a structure for infection prevention nationally that spans across the continuum of care from acute to skilled nursing to ambulatory to post-acute settings and which is resilient to mammoth events such as pandemics ,” he said . “ Regardless of which strategies are considered , infection prevention successes will depend largely on strong leadership support .” He pointed to three practices as important facilitators in the prevention of HAIs ; the first involves engagement of executive staff . “ Establishment of infection prevention goals by executive leadership emphasizes an organizational priority among managers and frontline staff and enables open communication with persons who are empowered to make change .” The
The advances must be accomplished with the understanding of the importance of a structure for infection prevention nationally that spans across the continuum of care from acute to skilled nursing to ambulatory to post-acute settings and which is resilient to mammoth events such as pandemics .” — Robert Garcia , BS , MT ( ASCP ), CIC , FAPIC
second addresses information sharing : “ Establishment of an organization-wide system to relay , display , and discuss relevant infection data with frontline staff is an important activity .” The third involves management coaching “ The coaching activities identified as most needed involve providing staff with feedback on how to perform clinical care processes correctly and re-educating staff on best practices for infection prevention .”
Garcia added , “ The future success of infection prevention programs lies in identifying and implementing cutting-edge program modifications and best practices while supported by targeted executive actions .”