• Conducting Surveillance: In infection control, surveillance is the term used to describe the function of observing, gathering, investigating and reviewing information about the patient as it pertains to infection prevention and control.
• Patient Assessment: Accurately reporting signs, symptoms, and changes in condition and initiating isolation precautions as  indicated.   
• Tracking and Trending: Tracking and trending information from  surveillance; Practicing outbreak prevention and investigation,  monitoringates of infection and communicating findings in the form of verbal and written reports.  
• Orientation and Staff Education: Educating staff, patients and families to Infection Prevention. Monitoring staff compliance with basic infection control principles such as; hand washing, isolation, transmission based precautions, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Monitoring Antibiotic Usage:  Reviewing and reporting antibiotic usage and trends of antibiotic resistance reported in antibiograms.   
• Revising Policies and Procedures: Participates in updating policies and procedures needed to maintain compliance with current recommendations from agencies of the federal and local government such as; OSHA, the CDC, state and local departments of health. 
• Conducting Environmental Rounds: Monitoring department compliance with Infection Control guidelines; conducting environmental rounds and consultation as needed.
• Monitoring Employee Health: This may or may not be the direct responsibility of the Infection Preventionist. Responsibilities  include annual physicals and tuberculosis screening for new hires and employees, offering influenza and Hepatitis B. vaccines, keeping accurate employee records, initiating workplace restrictions if indicated, becoming familiar with OSHA regulations and educating staff to Infection Control and Blood Borne Pathogens standards.

Each facility will have their own policies and procedures regarding the expectations of the Infection Control Designee. This is a big job. Responsibilities may be shared and hopefully, the nurse will be given the support needed to do the job well.  

Infection Prevention and Control is not a new specialty but it is one that has gained attention locally, nationally and globally, in light of the emergence of the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic. Nurses are familiar with basic Infection Control principles whether they work in acute care settings, long-term care, home health, clinics or physician’s offices. The term Infection Control has recently been changed to Infection Prevention and Control with an emphasis on prevention. It follows that nurses and other medical professionals who work closely in the specialty, are now referred to as Infection Preventionists. After all, preventing health care associated infections should be the primary concern. Controlling them implies there is already a problem.

Infection Prevention and Control in Long-term Care begins with developing a strong Infection Prevention and Control program designed to prevent transmission of infection from resident to staff, staff to patient and patient to patient. In Long-term Care the job typically, but not always, falls to the Staff Developer. Often times there is a sudden vacancy, for whatever reason, and an urgent assignment is made to a nurse who may have no measurable experience in the specialty. Before the appointee begins to feel overwhelmed, it is very important that the Infection Preventionist have the support of physicians, nursing, administration and ancillary services.

To those nurses who find themselves feeling unprepared for the new role suddenly thrust upon them, there are professional organizations such as the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. This organization provides classes, seminars, videos, podcasts, manuals, books, magazines and even certification in Infection Control. A visit to the website is well worthwhile. www.http://apic.org

The Preventionist is dedicated to facilitating information and links to resources for Nurses who have an interest in developing their skills in Infection Prevention and Control in Long-term Care.  

 Next: Typical Duties of the Infection Preventionist in Long-term Care