IP Competency: Novice, Proficient, Expert

Duration: 60 minutes      Available through: 12/31/2019

Description:   

Presentation #1: Collaborating to connect dots and save lives
Angela Rupp, MT, MS, CIC, FAPIC
Director, Infection Prevention & Control
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Elaine Whaley, MSN, RN, CIC, CPHQ
Director Infection Control, Texas Children's Hospital

In February 2016, Elaine Whaley's Texas-based pediatric hospital identified a cluster of Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) among their pediatric non-cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Just a few weeks later, Angela Rupp's Chicago-based pediatric facility also identified a B. cepacia cluster. Both professionals sent B. cepacia isolates to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Research Laboratory for verification and genotyping, and the laboratory responded with two valuable pieces of information: the isolate was not the same B. cepacia organism previously seen in either hospital's patients. Due to confidentiality, however, the Foundation could not disclose facility names.

Fortunately, Whaley and Rupp had connected years before through the Children's Hospital Association (CHA) infection prevention directors' forum, and worked together during the Ebola crisis. "Knowing each other let us focus our efforts much more quickly," Rupp said.

By comparing same or similar supplies and medications used at their facilities, Whaley and Rupp quickly and efficiently identified a common, contaminated product. Whaley and Rupp's findings subsequently resulted in an FDA recall, preventing countless cases of infection.

Presentation #2: Creating a foundation to support infection prevention excellence
Wendy Kaler, MPH, CIC
Infection Preventionist, Dignity Health

Marcy Maxwell RN, BSN, CIC
Infection Control Coordinator, Dignity Health

The Dignity Health Infection Prevention team has systematically built an infection prevention and control (IPC) structure that supports infection prevention programs and improved patient outcomes in 39 facilities across three states. Despite differences in geography, culture, and professional experience levels across their facilities, the team has successfully standardized critical infection prevention processes and systems, enabling Dignity Health to achieve key CMS goals and internal infection-reduction targets.

The team started by providing policy templates to their local facilities, and progressed to evidence-based policies that each facility is mandated to adopt. The team also created an Infection Prevention Council to develop outcomes-driven action plans that supported policy implementation.

Participation in the CMS Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Networks (HEN) has given the Dignity Health team additional support, motivation and resources. To audit and coordinate the HEN initiatives, the team successfully introduced "MeasureVentionists" - specially trained nurses who provide peer-to-peer bedside coaching. Working together, MeasureVentionists and Dignity Health infection preventionists reduced the system's CAUTI and CLABSI rates by 40 percent.

Group Site License: Registration includes one internet connection and one telephone connection at onelocation and an unlimited number of participants from your organizationin one listening room.

Please note CE is not available for this program.