#16  New Year’s Resolution: Prevent the Spread

This past year is one for the history books, and it is important to carry the lessons we learned into 2021 before closing out this chapter. Traditionally, a new year brings a fresh start for everyone, and while we resolve to accomplish personal goals, we must also recommit ourselves to the tried-and-true basics of infection prevention and control. We are kicking off 2021 with incoming APIC President Ann Marie Pettis, who joined us for a discussion on ways we can remain vigilant with infection prevention practices post-pandemic. This episode highlights proper PPE handling, a rededication to antimicrobial stewardship, and introduces APIC’s new #PreventtheSpreadPledge campaign. Hosted by: Silvia Quevedo, CAE About our Guest(s): Ann Marie Pettis, RN, BSN, CIC, FAPIC, APIC President Ann Marie Pettis has more than 30 years of experience as an infection preventionist and she is proud to have had her certification in infection control since 1986. Most of her career has been in university and community acute care settings. Currently, she is Director of Infection Prevention for UR Medicine in Rochester, NY. She is the IP consultant for three ambulatory surgery centers and has experience consulting in both long-term and acute care. Ann Marie was a founding leader of her local APIC chapter in which she has held a variety of positions such as legislative representative and President and she continues as an active member. She received the Chapter Leadership Award in 2006. Ann Marie was also co-chair and chair of the Western New York Infection Control Organization and a member of the New York State Advisory Committee. Her involvement with national APIC, in a variety of elected and volunteer positions, has been particularly rewarding and has included Communications, Research, Annual Conference Planning, and Nominating and Awards committees. She was the APIC representative to the SHEA Compendium sections on CAUTI and CLABSI and served as a mentor for the HRET CAUTI Fellowship program. Ann Marie has lectured extensively at local, state, national, and international venues and has published in several peer review and trade journals. Most recently she is proud of being in the first group of colleagues awarded the Fellow of APIC designation.