Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz1, Heather Gilmartin2, Sara Reese3. 1. Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: Monika.Pogorzelska-Maziarz@jefferson.edu. 2. Denver/Seattle Center of Innovation, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver CO; Colorado School of Public School, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO. 3. Denver Health Medical Center, Department of Patient Safety and Quality, Denver, CO.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Given the changing nature of infection prevention and control (IPC), appropriate infection preventionist (IP) staffing needs to be established. In this study, we aimed to describe current IP staffing levels and IPC department resources in U.S. acute care hospitals. METHODS: These data came from the 2015 MegaSurvey conducted by the Association of Professionals in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine differences in respondent, facility, and department characteristics by facility size (average inpatient census ≤100 vs >100). RESULTS: Data from 1623 respondents were included. Most (72%) had single-site responsibilities and dedicated 76%-100% of their job to IPC (68%). The overall median IP staffing was 1.25 IPs per 100 inpatient census (interquartile range = 1.81). Almost half (46%) represented facilities with daily inpatient census ≤100; the average number of IPs in these facilities was 1.1 (standard deviation = 0.7). The reported number of IPs increased steadily with higher patient census. Significant differences were observed in IP staffing, responsibilities, and support to the IPC department between smaller and larger hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the current snapshot of IP staffing and IPC resources in acute care hospitals. Findings indicate important differences between large and small facilities in staffing and IPC resources. The field of infection prevention would benefit from a comprehensive assessment of IPC department staffing and resource needs.
BACKGROUND: Given the changing nature of infection prevention and control (IPC), appropriate infection preventionist (IP) staffing needs to be established. In this study, we aimed to describe current IP staffing levels and IPC department resources in U.S. acute care hospitals. METHODS: These data came from the 2015 MegaSurvey conducted by the Association of Professionals in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine differences in respondent, facility, and department characteristics by facility size (average inpatient census ≤100 vs >100). RESULTS: Data from 1623 respondents were included. Most (72%) had single-site responsibilities and dedicated 76%-100% of their job to IPC (68%). The overall median IP staffing was 1.25 IPs per 100 inpatient census (interquartile range = 1.81). Almost half (46%) represented facilities with daily inpatient census ≤100; the average number of IPs in these facilities was 1.1 (standard deviation = 0.7). The reported number of IPs increased steadily with higher patient census. Significant differences were observed in IP staffing, responsibilities, and support to the IPC department between smaller and larger hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the current snapshot of IP staffing and IPC resources in acute care hospitals. Findings indicate important differences between large and small facilities in staffing and IPC resources. The field of infection prevention would benefit from a comprehensive assessment of IPC department staffing and resource needs.
Authors: Robert Garcia; Sue Barnes; Roy Boukidjian; Linda Kaye Goss; Maureen Spencer; Edward J Septimus; Marc-Oliver Wright; Shannon Munro; Sara M Reese; Mohamad G Fakih; Charles E Edmiston; Martin Levesque Journal: Am J Infect Control Date: 2022-05-04 Impact factor: 4.303
Authors: Caitlin M Dugdale; David M Rubins; Hang Lee; Suzanne M McCluskey; Edward T Ryan; Camille N Kotton; Rocio M Hurtado; Andrea L Ciaranello; Miriam B Barshak; Dustin S McEvoy; Sandra B Nelson; Nesli Basgoz; Jacob E Lazarus; Louise C Ivers; Jennifer L Reedy; Kristen M Hysell; Jacob E Lemieux; Howard M Heller; Sayon Dutta; John S Albin; Tyler S Brown; Amy L Miller; Stephen B Calderwood; Rochelle P Walensky; Kimon C Zachary; David C Hooper; Emily P Hyle; Erica S Shenoy Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2021-12-16 Impact factor: 9.079