IP Mentor

Have you created a COVID-19 plan yet?  Over the past couple of  weeks we have discussed the new OSHA ETS and creating a COVID-19 plan since that is part of the requirement.  That brings me to the next step, implementation.  It's one thing to create a plan and another to implement the plan.  Sometimes implementing is harder than creating!  I have listed 3 steps to help you implement your plan this week.

1.  Break the plan down into pieces (Testing, Isolation, Admission, etc)

2.  Determine the audience for each piece

3.  Create educational content for each piece and distribute

I know this might sound like a lot to do right now, but you don't have to make it complicated!  Break it down and start educating.  If I were you, I would delegate some of this education if possible.  After all, you are surround by smart people.  You might as well use some of them to help you!

My goal is to continue providing you with quality educational opportunities that are relevant and convenient.  As always, I record a couple Facebook lives per week with free information about Infection Prevention, and I have just added a free Podcast, IP Mentor.  Feel free to join me here: Facebook Page or here: IP Mentor Podcast.   If you like my page, you will get notifications when I post and go live. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.  I would enjoy hearing from you if there are some topics that you would like for me to cover in the future.  You can always email me at [email protected].

Interested in learning opportunities and free stuff?  Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com

We have now reached the 14 day point since the ETS was published in the Federal Register (June 21st) where most the OSHA requirements should be in place.  Here is the language from OSHA about implementation:

Employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days, and with provisions involving physical barriers, ventilation, and training within 30 days. OSHA will use its enforcement discretion for employers who are making a good faith effort to comply with the ETS.

Here are some resources for implementation: 

OSHA ETS Checklist

SPICE Training Session

OSHA ETS Fact Sheet

Is your workplace covered by the ETS?

There have been a lot of questions about aerosol generating procedures.  Listed below is the definition according to OSHA.  It's slightly different from CDC.

AGPs are defined as medical procedures that generate aerosols that can be infectious and are of respirable size. Under the ETS, only the following procedures are considered AGPs:

Want more information like this?  Join me here: Facebook Page or here: IP Mentor Podcast or here: LinkedIn.   If you like my pages, you will get notifications when I post and go live so you can ask me questions. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.

I would enjoy hearing from you if there are some topics that you would like for me to cover in the future.  You can always email me at [email protected].

Interested in more learning opportunities or a personal consultation? Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com.  You can book a personal consultation with me there.  You can also download some free resources!

As of June 21st, the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) is part of the Federal Register.  This means that employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days of the publication.  There are certain provisions that have 30 days for implementation.  Here is the link to the ETS page on OSHA, and the complete standard. 

My goal is to continue providing you with quality educational opportunities that are relevant and convenient.  As always, I record a couple Facebook lives per week with free information about Infection Prevention, and I have just added a free Podcast, IP Mentor.  Feel free to join me here: Facebook Page or here: IP Mentor Podcast.   If you like my page, you will get notifications when I post and go live. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.  I would enjoy hearing from you if there are some topics that you would like for me to cover in the future.  You can always email me at [email protected].

Interested in learning opportunities and free stuff?  Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com

I recently heard this saying- "The only person who likes change is a wet baby".  It's so true.  If we are honest, none of us really like change.  We like the results of making a change, but the change itself is usually hard.  Over the past several months, we have seen lots of changes.  Some good, some not so good.

As an Infection Preventionist, it's imperative that we learn to roll with the changes because that's part of what we do.  Guidelines, recommendations, and requirements are constantly being updated to reflect the most recent studies and science.  The sooner you get on board, the better.  So how can you respond to all the change from this past year?  Embrace them and move forward!  I want to help you do this.  I recorded these episodes for getting back on track, and I think they are still very relevant now.  If you want to listen to other episodes, they are listed below.

Getting Back on Track Episode 2

Getting Back on Track Episode 3

Getting Back on Track Episode 4

Getting Back on Track Episode 5

Need even more help getting back on track?  Join my free challenge! https://aw15d238.aweb.page/5DayChallenge

Want more information like this?  Join me here: LinkedIn.   If you like my page, you will get notifications when I post new and relevant information. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.

Interested in more learning opportunities or a personal consultation? Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com

By the way, if you need help organizing your days for getting back on track you can get an entire digital planner created just for IPs here.

Did you know one of your most important roles as an IP is to connect the dots for everyone?  It's true.  You are the expert with the knowledge about the infection data.  It's important that you use this knowledge to connect the dots for leaders and frontline workers.  I know what your are thinking.  How do I do this?  Well, it's actually as easy as pointing out how the infection is related to behaviors and how it impacts patient/residents.  Here are some key points to get you thinking:

As an IP, we are always looking for ways to help other understand their role in Infection Prevention as a whole.  This can be done by connecting the dots for them.  I also talk about this concept in my free course, Learn IP Over Lunch.  You can sign up to watch it here.

Want more information like this?  Join me here: LinkedIn.   If you like my page, you will get notifications when I post new and relevant information. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.

Interested in more learning opportunities or a personal consultation? Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com.  You can book a personal consultation with me there.

Last week I discussed the key components of an Infection Prevention Program.  This week I am going to talk about finding infections, more commonly referred to as surveillance.  The key to surveillance is consistency.  You need to find a published set of definitions for  hospital acquired infections and use the same criteria every single time.  This is the only way you can effectively monitor for changes and make comparisons.  The most common types of definitions are NHSN(National Healthcare Safety Network) and McGeer Criteria.  Here are some key points about performing surveillance:

It's important to watch for changes.  The NHSN definitions are reviewed and updated every year in January.  If others are helping you complete surveillance, make sure that the person is following the criteria consistently so that you data is accurate.  It's also important to present your definitions to the Infection Prevention Committee. If you don't have a committee, I recorded a podcast about developing one.

Speaking of surveillance, you can get my surveillance plan along with the other essential Infection Prevention Program documents here.

Want more information like this?  Join me here: LinkedIn.   If you like my pages, you will get notifications when I post new and relevant information. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.

Interested in more learning opportunities or a personal consultation? Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com.  You can book a personal consultation with me there.

We want to stop bad outcomes from ever happening, right?  Last week I talked about building the foundation of your Infection Prevention Program.  This week I am going to point out the key components of the program so you can start identifying the gaps that will lead to bad outcomes for your residents and patients.  Depending on the tool that is most relevant for your facility, the terms may be a little different; however the overall concepts and components are the same.  I encourage you to go through this section and complete it for your hospital, but here are some key concepts.

There are other components identified as well, but these are the main concepts.  Complete this entire section for your facility.  This will help you identify gaps in your program.  Once you identify the gaps, you can start working on solutions.  By the way, if you missed it, I reviewed the first section on my podcast in episode 14.

Want more information like this?  Join me here: LinkedIn.   If you like my page, you will get notifications when I post and go live so you can ask me questions. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.

Interested in more learning opportunities or a personal consultation? Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com.  You can book a personal consultation with me there.

Last week I talked about doing an assessment of your Infection Prevention Program.  Did you have a chance to download the tool from CDC?  If not, no worries!  Go here to download your copy of the assessment.  Pick the one that works best for your facility.  We will be starting with the first section that addresses the infection prevention program and infrastructure.  This is where it all starts!  I encourage you to go through this entire section and answer the questions, but here are some of the main points.

I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it is essential to have a good foundation for your program.  Once you have all of these components established, the rest will fall into place.  Get started on the first section of the assessment, and next week I will discuss the next section.  

Want more information like this?  Join me here: LinkedIn.   If you like my page, you will get notifications when I post new and valuable information. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.

Interested in more learning opportunities or a personal consultation? Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com

I know, I know!  You are tired of hearing about COVID-19.  Me too!  Unfortunately for us, it's not going anywhere yet.  For that reason, it's essential that we are prepared for another outbreak and able to maintain our Infection Prevention Program.  The bad news is we don't know how long this is going to last.  The good news is there is an excellent tool to help you get your program up to par.

Have you hear of an ICAR?  If not, it stands for Infection Control Assessment and Response.  It's a tool that CDC created to help facilities, hospitals, and specialty clinics assess their current program so that they can focus on the things that matter most.  Over the past several months, I have been working with the CDC Foundation.  This is one of the tools that we have used to help facilities identify what is missing in their program.  I think it is very effective and useful for an IP.   Go here to download your copy of the assessment.  Pick the one that works best for your facility.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to walk through the various components of this tool.  I am going to give you tips and tricks for the different sections.  When we get to the end, your program is going to be 100 percent prepared for COVID-19.  Sound good?  Let's get started!  Save the tool and start answering the questions.  We will cover more next week.

Want more information like this?  Join me here: LinkedIn.   If you like my page, you will get notifications when I post and go live so you can ask me questions. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.  I also have a free master class to help you get started in Infection Prevention.

Interested in more learning opportunities or a personal consultation? Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com

Are you checking the CDC, your state health department, OSHA, and CMS websites daily?  If not, you need to start this habit today.  If you are an APIC member (I highly recommend), they also have weekly updates on their website.  It's so critical that you stay on top of current recommendations for your facility to build trust with staff and promote the safest practices for patients.  If you don't have time to physically check all the websites, sign up for their emails if available.  This will save you time and effort plus you will get the most accurate information.  Here are some key updates from the past couple of weeks in case you missed them.

CDC Updates for Vaccinated Healthcare workers

CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People

Resuming J&J Vaccine

CMS Nursing Home Visitation

CMS Updates

I know it's tough to think about anything other than COVID-19 right now, but we still have a job to do.  It's important that you stay focused on all of the infection prevention activities we have to do on a daily basis.  Unfortunately, there are still other infections occurring and it's our job to prevent them. If you are struggling to figure out how to make COVID-19 part of your daily routine, check out this podcast. You can also download my free checklist for incorporating COVID-19 into your daily tasks.

Want more information like this?  Join me here: LinkedIn.   If you like my page, you will get notifications when I post new information. If you subscribe to my podcast, you will get notifications for new episodes when they are released.

Interested in more learning opportunities or a personal consultation? Check out my website: www.ipandcconsulting.com