Organizational Recognition for Performance
Senior Associate developed, implemented and managed a centralized and integrated Infection Prevention Program for 12 hospitals, multiple outpatient facilities, physician practices and home health and service lines. Units reported no healthcare associated infections for one year or more; and the system was recognized as a national leader in quality, patient safety and infection prevention.
Cost Savings and Patient Impact
Gap Assessment, Consulting, Program Management, Education & Training
IP&MA worked with a community healthcare system to integrate infection prevention programs across multiple acute care facilities, specialty care facilities, and ambulatory care and clinic sites. Reduced variance in infection prevention processes lead to improved patient outcomes and multiple regulatory and accreditation surveys without citation. Sustained, system-wide reduction in device associated infections estimated to have prevented 2,000 avoidable patient days and $5 million in cost savings.
Regulatory Response
IP&MA consultants supported an inpatient behavioral health facility experiencing infection prevention staffing gaps which lead to failures in program implementation and significant CMS and State level findings in their infection prevention program. We helped the team develop a corrective action plan in response to survey findings, supported staff education and training, and helped rebuild their infection prevention program. Follow up surveys were successful with all infection prevention and control findings cleared, and the facility had a strong plan for ongoing program maintenance.
Infection Preventionist Support
As a part of consulting support, IP&MA worked with the facility’s local team to do a time use analysis of infection preventionist workflow and assess how infection preventionist time could be optimized to best support the organization’s strategic goals, improve patient outcomes and support staff safety. Key work processes were modified or streamlined, and work was prioritized to free up to 20% of infection preventionist time, which allowed them to spend more time working collaboratively with front line healthcare teams. Measurable impact of this shift in infection preventionist work processes and time use was seen on employee engagement and safety culture surveys.
Sustained Improvement
Serious infection prevention and control issues were identified on state survey of two acute care hospitals sharing a common CMS number. This resulted in a full CMS audit in which additional concerns were identified. IP&MA staff completed an additional gap assessment, developed a detailed plan for remediation and long-term sustained improvement action, worked with the facilities’ on site infection preventionists and other key stakeholders with intermittent onsite visits to correct deficiencies. A follow up survey resulted in zero infection prevention concerns identified.
School Community Support
IP&MA partnered with a 900 plus student school encompassing preschool through eighth grade to develop a pandemic response plan. Focus included development of multiple operating models based on viral activity. Worked with the school community to reduce risk through modifying workflow, incorporating learning pods, making recommendations for environmental risk mitigation including ventilation and airflow modifications, and developing criteria for return to school / work.