WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Linda Greene, RN, MPS, CIC, an infection prevention and control professional at Rochester GeneralHospital in Rochester, N.Y., was named one of the 2006 Heroes of Infection Prevention by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and Tyco Healthcare/Kendall. The Heroes program recognizes APIC members who are contributing significantly to the reduction of infection and who are impacting the health, safety and well-being of patients, healthcare workers and the public.
Eighteen years ago and after 12 years as a registered nurse, Greene was given the opportunity to become an infection control practitioner (ICP), the person responsible for designing and implementing an infection prevention and control program at a hospital or healthcare facility. She has never looked back.
It was the right thing to do, said Greene. As a nurse you influence an individual patient but as an ICP you make a difference in a more global way by impacting a whole group of patients.
At Rochester General Hospital, where she has been employed for the past 10 years, Greene initiated several programs with far-reaching patient safety impact.
Two years ago, Greene led a team of professionals to reduce bacteria associated with central venous catheters (CVC) in the facilitys intensive care unit and expanded the program to the entire organization. CVC bacteremia can prolong hospitalization, increase healthcare costs and lead to death. Within three months, death attributed to CVC bacteremia decreased from 4 percent to zero. Two years later, the overall bacteremia rate decreased by 72 percent.
She also introduced a program that resulted in a cadre of infection control liaison nurses.
These nurses are the eyes and ears of the infection control department, she said. Every unit has an infection control liaison nurse, specially trained in infection control, to help educate co-workers and gather data. Our hospital has four infection prevention and control nurses and we have about 35 liaisons who meet monthly.
"Heroes" were selected based on a number of criteria, including the sustainability of a program, the process or activity; and quantitative proof of success of the program.
Award recipients are featured in a 2006 calendar, which includes a photo of the winner and a brief description of his/her program. Each winner also receives a free registration to APICs 33rd annual educational conference and international meeting, which will be held June 11-15, 2006 in Tampa, Fla.
We congratulate Linda and all the infection prevention and control professionals featured in this, our inaugural calendar of heroes and applaud their dedication to infection prevention best practices, said APIC executive director Kathy L. Warye. This program will become an annual endeavor to bring attention to the exciting, innovative work that is being done to advance the profession.
For more information on the "Heroes" program, go to:
http://www.apic.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Press/NewsReleases/heroes_calendar_12_20_05.pdf
Source: APIC
Dear Helpdesk: Working in a Toxic Health Care Environment
March 28th 2024Dear 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.
Product Locator: Spring and Early Mother's Day Gift Guide for Infection Prevention Personnel
March 27th 2024Whether it's a spring holiday, birthdays, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers some gift ideas for infection prevention personnel and their families.
Catching Up With Vangie Dennis, AORN 2022-2023 President at AORN 2024
March 26th 2024Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' (AORN’s) International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.
How To Optimize Your Time Management Strategies for the Busy Infection Preventionist
March 25th 2024Is 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.