Infection Prevention and Control is not a new specialty; 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 infectious organisms from resident to staff, staff to patient and patient to patient. In Long-term Care this job typically falls to the Staff Developer who, in some cases, may not feel adequately prepared.

I visualize a sudden vacancy associated with an urgent need followed by an assignment made to an unsuspecting staff nurse; one with perhaps, no measurable experience in the specialty of Infection Prevention. Before the appointee begins to feel overwhelmed, it is very important that he or she is given the support of the Director of Nurses, Administration, and the Medical Director. This begins with education.

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 ( APIC ). This organization provides classes, seminars, videos, podcasts, manuals, books, magazines and even certification in Infection Control. A visit to the website is well worthwhile, as is membership.

The Preventionist is dedicated to facilitating information, links to resources and encouragement to Nurses who have an interest in developing their skills in Infection Prevention and Control in Long-term Care. We all began at the beginning. Don’t give in or give up before you give yourself a chance. Search for help, there is a lot available; search for resources and then use your resources;  most of all, don’t underestimate your greatest mentor; that’s you.     

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

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