Consistent infection prevention (IP) rounding in ambulatory clinics fosters compliance, collaboration, and education, improving infection prevention through relationship-building and just-in-time learning.
Ambulatory care
(Adobe Stock 214748690 by momius)
The Basics of Rounding
Infection prevention (IP) rounding is a primary task that assesses adherence to specific guidelines that reduce and prevent health care-associated infections. Wherever IP rounding occurs, a special set of circumstances may impact how rounding is performed, but the importance surrounding IP rounding should remain consistent regardless of location. Building a workflow allowing IP rounding in ambulatory clinics requires ingenuity, as this task may take less precedence over hospital or inpatient IP rounding. Also, resources may be limited to performing IP rounds daily in many outpatient clinics by a trained infection preventionist. Still, there is value in consistent primary IP rounds in the ambulatory world.
Develop Relationships
IP rounding is more than just an inspection or a visit from the “hand hygiene police”; this is an opportunity to build mutually beneficial relationships that garner a more collaborative environment with the clinic staff. Consistent IP rounds in which the infection preventionist emphasizes inobtrusive observation and respectful exploration allow staff to feel more comfortable discussing challenges and concerns. Knowing that the infection preventionist is there to learn and liaise rather than catch moments of divergent practices is more conducive to a collaborative environment.
There is a common misconception that clinics act in silo and lack the dedication to certain practices; however, ambulatory clinic staff are immensely committed to figuring out adversities inhouse, largely because of financial and physical constraints. Consistent IP rounding also allows the infection preventionist to provide positive feedback when protocols are being followed appropriately and when staff proactively address improvement opportunities. Reprimanding clinic staff for inconsistencies during IP rounds, especially when the infection preventionists' presence is rare, cannot be used to foster a team that is engaged and excited to work together and prevent infections.
Just-In-Time Education
IP rounding is the perfect opportunity for infection preventionists to speak directly to the staff who do the work. The frontline staff performs the desired practices and should be the most prominent voice in the decision-making process of implementing or improving infection prevention efforts. Simply observing the frontline staff can also initiate lightbulb moments for the clinic staff worker and the infection preventionist. This metaphorical lightbulb represents when something once dim and obscure becomes illuminated and clear. This is evident when the infection preventionist can observe a task and impart knowledge to the clinic employee, which may aid in making better and more consistent decisions in their practices. In turn, the infection preventionist can better understand how a protocol is performed and collaborate with the clinic staff with a greater perspective of the work it takes to implement a guideline.
Summary
Consistent IP rounds in ambulatory care clinics may seem daunting because of their location or the sheer number of locations. Still, an infection preventionist has the most significant influence when there are direct interactions where mutual trust and respect can be built with the frontline staff. Building and nurturing these relationships through consistent IP rounds makes staff and clinic leaders more open to collaborating on process improvements. These relationships also make celebrating wins and providing positive feedback much more rewarding. Consistent IP rounds help the infection preventionist and the clinic staff know more about processes, guidelines, requirements, and each other’s challenges and concerns. You don’t know what you don’t know until someone lets you know—and you can only make informed decisions when you know more.
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.