1. The Role of the Infection Preventionist in the ASC
CASA
Gail Harris, RN, MS, MA, CIC

2. Objectives Describe the important components of an IP job description
Identify opportunities for IP teamwork and delegation
List additional resources available to ASCs for ongoing IP education

3. What does an IP do in an ASC?
Let’s be blatantly honest: Without CMS requirements, there would be far fewer IPs in ASCs.
And we can probably “blame” Nevada for that although it was inevitable!

4. IP “duties” in an ASC Regulations: mandatory
CMS
State
Accreditations: voluntary….sort of
AAAHC
TJC
AAAASF
Others

5. The IP of Today
“Infection prevention and control practitioners have a key role to play in scanning the environment for new and emerging threats to safety, as well as improving the safety and quality of care delivered to individuals and populations. They provide colleagues across all health and social case settings with robust clinical expertise, advice, support and guidance so that they can work in partnership to prevent, manage and control healthcare associated infections.”
Emma Burnett, J Infection prevention, February 2011

6. APIC and IPAC: Professional &Practice Standards
Infection prevention and control practice
Epidemiology
Surveillance
Education
Consultation
Friedman, C, et al. Am J Infect Control 2008; 36:
385-9.
Occupational Health
Performance improvement
Fiscal responsibility
Program administration and evaluation
Research

7. APIC Competency Model Four Domains: Leadership and Program Management
Technical/Technology
Infection Prevention and Control
Performance Improvement and Implementation Science

8. Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC)
Practice Analysis of 2014:
Identification of infectious disease processes
Surveillance and epidemiologic investigation
Preventing and controlling the transmission of infectious agents
Employee and occupational health
Management and communication
Education and Research
Environment of care
Cleaning, sterilization, disinfection and asepsis
LJ Henman et al, Amer J Infect Control: 43 (2015)

9. Where to Begin? How competent am I to do this job?
What do I already have in place?
What support do I already have?
What resources do I already have?
It is import to take stock of these things and start on a positive note!

10. After resource assessment, what’s next?
Do NOT try to do/fix everything in one day.
Do NOT try to do/fix everything in one week.
DO take the time to make an organized plan of action to effect any change.
Do NOT plan to do this alone.

11. Concrete steps Conduct your risk assessment
Prioritize the needs of your organization
Identify the “urgent” needs
Do not attempt this by yourself
Identify a champion or champions to assist you
Identify a small group of influential leaders and/or others committed to patient safety
Develop your plan

12. Attitude
“I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”
Charles Swindoll
What is your attitude towards the work to be done?
You are in charge of your attitude….and your attitude is as contagious as measles!!

13. Teamwork
“Leaders who work most effectively think ‘team.’ They accept that responsibility….but ‘we’ gets the credit. This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done.” Peter Drucker
Even if you are the only person in the IP position, you must develop a team to accomplish this work.

14. Barriers to Change Unexpected changes in external conditions
A lack of commitment in implementation
Resistance of the people involved
Lack of resources
Conflicting goals or priorities
From Dagmar Recklies

15. Leading Change
Before implementing change, you need to convince people that change is needed
Never, never underestimate the power of complacency
John Kotter

16. Change Leadership
“I think of a hero (leader) as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
Bob Dylan

17. Skills Needed to Lead Change
Commitment to the plan
Attitude
Realistic goal setting
Communication skills
Influencing skills
Flexibility
Ability to stimulate motivation in follow through

18. How do I become (more) competent?
CASA:
Education programs
Mentors
Resources
Networking

19. How do I become (more) competent?
APIC
Local chapter meetings
Mentors
Networking
APIC Competency Model for the IP
Roadmap for the Novice IP
Spring Infection Preventionist
Apic.org/roadmap
CBIC: maybe a more long-term goal

20. What else can I do? Network, network, network Read!!!!
Review information presented in this program
Review resources
Participate in ed prgms.
Build “soft skills”

21. Summary
Infection prevention involves personal goals for learning. It is a “team sport” and requires the involvement of many people in each setting. Leadership skills are essential…and attitude is contagious! Learn the technical parts of the infection prevention program but also develop your “soft skills.” Most of all, have fun as you grow and learn…….and make patients and staff safer!

22. References
Friedman, C, et al. Requirements for infrastructure and essential activities of infection control and epidemiology in out-of-hospital settings; A Consensus Panel report, Am J Infect Control 1999; 27:
Burnett E. Outcome competencies for practitioners in infection prevention and control: Infection Prevention Society and Competency Steering Group. J Infect Prevention. 7 February Available at:

23. References
Friedman, C, et al. APIC/Chica- Canada infection prevention, control, and epidemiology: Professional and practice standards. Am J Infect Control 2008; 36:
Murphy DM, et al. Competency in infection prevention: A conceptual approach to guide current and future practice. Am J Infect Control 2012; 40:
APIC Infection Preventionist Competency Model. Available at:

24. References APIC. Developmental path of the IP
Available at:
Henman, LJ, et al. Identifying changes in the role of the infection preventionist through the 2014 practice analysis study conducted by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Am J Infect Control 43 (2015) 664-8

25. Questions?