The discourse elaborates on the meticulous process of designing an efficient and insightful survey, aimed at making a significant impact on the field of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). This research journey, led by IP leaders Brenna Doran, Ph.D., MA, and Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, seeks to unravel the intricate matter of infection prevention staffing against the backdrop of today’s healthcare landscape. It represents the second installment in a six-part series, IP LifeLine, which highlights the fine detailing required to move from conceptualization to meaningful impact.
The survey was carefully structured to yield enriching insights while ensuring that respondents were not overburdened. The initiative began with an article in Prevention Strategist and evolved into a seminal piece for the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), successfully amplifying concerns about infection prevention workload. In order to bridge a critical gap in the literature, the researchers developed an IP peer survey designed to capture the essence of first-hand experiences from the front lines of infection prevention.
The study demanded both curiosity and pragmatism, requiring the refinement of an initially expansive list of questions into a concise yet impactful format. This balance enabled the collection of substantial insights without overwhelming participants. Strategic focus was directed toward areas previously overlooked in research but vital to the healthcare matrix, including hospital bed counts, organizational complexity, regional disparities, and diverse staffing models.
Qualtrics was selected as the survey platform due to its compatibility and ease of use. The survey incorporated both categorical and open-ended questions, enabling the collection of comprehensive data. Responses were carefully vetted, with duplications, incomplete entries, and misclassifications excluded to ensure accuracy and representativeness.
Analysis revealed critical findings regarding IP staffing trends. Notably, significant correlations emerged between the number of IP Full-Time Equivalent employees (FTEs), the number of licensed inpatient beds, and the facility’s geographic area. The results also underscored widespread understaffing across healthcare institutions, with Infection Preventionists consistently reporting workloads exceeding 40 hours per week.
The conclusions point to the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in dynamically adjusting staffing models to align with fluctuating demands. By bridging the gap between academic inquiry and data-driven resource allocation, this work aims to influence both policy and practice, driving systemic improvements in infection prevention on a national scale.
Source: https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/concept-impact-designing-research-inquiry-art-survey