INFECTION PREVENTION


in 2015) reported using one; 24 percent are considering a plan and 11 percent aren’t sure. Data-mining software programs that are designed to track, report, and analyze infec- tion trends was a new topic included in this year’s survey and for good reason. IP profes- sionals said they are spending too much time on manual data collecting and reporting which takes them away from other important tasks. According to the survey results, we found


that 38 percent of respondents are now us- ing data-mining software programs while a greater number, 54 percent are not. Another 7 percent said their facility is considering adopting one. A case study presented at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Preven- tion in June 2015 nailed down just how much time infection preventionists spend on report- ing required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Those in the trenches will not be surprised to hear that five hours and eight minutes a day of an infection preventionist’s time, based on a five-day work week, are eaten up by data collection. This leaves IPs with little time left over to observe practices, go on rounds, lead safety drills, or educate staff. And, of note, during the time this study was performed, the featured 355-bed acute-care community hospi- tal was only at 60 percent capacity.


Many respondents are responsible for evaluating and/or purchasing a multitude of supplies, including but not limited to:


Hand sanitizers Disinfectants/sterilants


Handwashing systems and hand- hygiene monitoring systems


Cleaning equipment and supplies


77% 69% 66%


64%


Needlestick and sharps safety devices 57% Masks/respirators


56% ProtexUltra_Canister_AD-42-8_REV_0_HPN_22315.qxp_HPN 2/23/15 4:14 PM Page 1


This study did not include time needed for performing state and local healthcare -acquired infection reporting, as many facilities must do, so it appears that IPs are burdened, particularly in the smaller community hospitals that may only have one IP, with reporting of data. No doubt the documentation serves useful pur- poses, but it leaves IPs with little time for other activities designed to protect patients. The case study noted that previous studies have shown that infection data collection, analysis, and reporting are one of IPs’ most time-consuming activities at a time when their role is expanding to encompass even more responsibilities. The study suggested that automated surveillance systems could provide some relief from too much time spent at a desk and too little time on infection


prevention, and observed that staffing and resources need to be taken into consideration as well to ensure a safe environment for pa- tients and staff.


Looking ahead HPN also asked IP professionals, as it does every year, to tell us what they want to learn more about. Here are the top 10 requests: • antibiotic/antimicrobial stewardship (59 percent) • disinfection/sterilization (57 percent) • multidrug-resistant organisms (54 percent) • hand-hygiene surveillance (53 percent) • healthcare-associated infections/prevention (52 percent) • infection tracking/reporting systems (48 percent) • environmental services (42 percent) • cleaning verification testing (39 percent) • personal protective equipment (39 percent) • needlestick/sharps safety (36 percent) We look forward to hearing from you when


the HPN Salary Survey goes out again next year. Please respond and spread the word. This is a chance for your voice and concerns to be heard. Make some noise. HPN


References:


1. American Journal of Infection Control (2009;37[5]:351-357), Stone et al, 2009.


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