Maintaining boundaries can be challenging in a culture of overwork. In this installment of Dear Helpdesk, learn how to communicate effectively with your boss, prioritize your values, and safeguard your work-life balance.
Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC
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Heather Stoltzfus is an experienced and motivated registered nurse with a master’s degree in public health and a certification in infection control. Striving for excellence in the prevention and control of infectious disease, Heather believes in using innovative and strategic leadership methods to achieve program goals.
Heather first discovered her love for infection control (and chai tea) during a short-term assignment in Nairobi, Kenya, where she worked to improve maternal and child health through the prevention of infectious diseases. After spending the first 6 years of her nursing career in busy emergency departments, Heather transitioned away from the bedside to join the work at the Johns Hopkins Hospital as an infection control epidemiologist. Following the completion of her master's degree in public health, Heather became the infection prevention and control nurse consultant for the State of Maryland, assisting healthcare facilities in their response to health care-associated infections. Currently, Heather is employed with Johns Hopkins University Division of Infectious Diseases as a research nurse program manager, using her expertise to guide research in the prevention and control of infections in health care settings. Additionally, Heather is the owner of Broad Street Prevention, where she serves as an infection prevention consultant.
During her off hours, Heather enjoys writing, reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. She is the proud author of the blog, All the Lessons We Learn, where she gives a lyrical accounting of all the beautiful, painful, and transcendent lessons that we learn on this journey we call life.
You can follow Heather on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thelessonswelearn/ and wordpress at thelessonswelearn.com.
Website for Broadstreet Prevention: www.Broadstreetprevention.com
Articles by Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.
Is your calendar resembling a chaotic masterpiece of overlapping tasks? Join the club of infection preventionists striving to balance responsibilities. Dive into proven strategies from a fellow infection preventionist to reclaim control of your time, streamline tasks, and boost productivity effectively. This is an IP Lifeline article.
The 20 conditions, known as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), are estimated to affect more than 1 billion people, yet many individuals have never heard of them. Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC, discusses 5 of them and what is being done to prevent their spread.
In the relentless health care environment, mental wellness is vital, but burnout is rampant. As the pandemic exacerbates the crisis, a proactive, comprehensive strategy is essential for preventing and alleviating burnout.
Infection preventionists Heather Saunders and Stephanie Mayoryk's journey to East Africa emphasizes the positive impact of infection prevention efforts in low-income countries. Despite challenges, their experience encourages IPs to engage globally, fostering hope and passion for providing excellent patient care.
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
Plague doctors' historical attire was an early form of PPE. While modern PPE has improved, the quest for better, more comfortable protection continues as we aim for a future where health care workers can provide care confidently.
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
Connecting and networking with colleagues, finding the right resources, and joining key organizations can help you become a better infection preventionist.
"If we want to influence our health care workers toward a shift in practice, we must first tackle the core beliefs that drive that behavior," writes Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC.
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
No matter the background, the complex career of preventing and controlling infections has unique joys and challenges.
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
Experts in infection prevention review PPE standardization practices and Heather Saunders, MPH, RN provides her key takeaways for other healthcare practitioners on best practices related to PPE.
Isis Lamphier, MPH, CIC, reviews PPE considerations relating to surgical smoke and Tracy Field, RN, WCC, LALD, LTC- CIP shares her thoughts on the universality of masks and other protective equipment for transmissible viruses.
Infection preventionists, Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC; Tracy Field, RN, WCC, LALD, LTC- CIP; and Isis Lamphier, MPH, CIC provide their thoughts on the best approaches regarding the removal of contaminated PPE.
Experts in infection prevention discuss PPE quality and highlight considerations relating to assessing appropriate levels of PPE contamination.
Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC; Tracy Field, RN, WCC, LALD, LTC- CIP; and Isis Lamphier, MPH, CIC, review CDC, OSHEA, NIOSH, and American Society of Testing and Materials guidelines to selecting PPE and best practices for donning and doffing PPE.
Learn from your mistakes; reach for the stars. We all have learning to do. Just don't quit!
Experts in infection prevention discuss how PPE protects both the wearer and others, and how a well-fitting mask ensures high protection from germs and other infectious substances.
Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC; Tracy Field, RN, WCC, LALD, LTC- CIP; and Isis Lamphier, MPH, CIC, review the articles considered as personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gowns, and gloves.
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
How should health care workers, especially infection preventionists, give constructive criticism in their positions?
Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC, introduces an upcoming panel discussion surrounding several topics pertaining to the considerations and clinical implications of personal protective equipment in the healthcare environment, focusing on overarching guidelines and optimal practices.
Bug of the Month helps educate readers about existing and emerging pathogens of clinical importance in health care facilities today.
"Although we have numerous strategies for improving prevention and control in our facilities," Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC, in her third and final of 3 series on the 3'Cs of how to be a successful IP. "All too often these strategies fall short of succeeding." Why? Lack of collaboration. Read on to see how IPs can use the 3 C's to be more successful IPs.
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