The role of Infection Preventionists (IPs) within healthcare environments is increasingly demanding. This change is attributed to new regulations, fluctuating personnel, alerts on devices, and a rapid multiplication of dashboards. At such challenging junctures, it might be enticing to employ the most updated tool or the most notable initiative. Contrary to this instinct, the most effective and immediate way to keep patients and healthcare teams safe is a renewed focus on infection prevention and control basics. These are not chosen for their simplicity, but for their ubiquity and reliance at all times and in every unit by everyone involved.
Sharon Ward-Fore, an independent IP consultant, recommends hype-focused areas such as personal hygiene, correct use of personal protective equipment, ongoing cleaning, and environmental hygiene. These seemingly basic but essential behaviors, if consistently implemented, will serve as a winning strategy for all constituents. Therefore, she urges IPs to scrutinize such practices closely and consistently.
Any small but persistent improvement, even a mere 5% change in a routine behavior can offer massive benefits, often superseding a rare, more substantial improvement in lesser executed practices. A marginal reduction in errors or missouts can significantly increase overall effectiveness. Moreover, these fundamental practices are versatile and can help combat a myriad of pathogens, ensuring resilience and preparedness for any unforeseen threats. These reliable routines not only help on the ground level but are also crucial indicators of an institution’s commitment to safety, ensuring internal trust and external faith. Rather than focusing on policy paperwork, people tend to rely more on what they can readily observe. Consistent behavior sets a precedence of safety and helps negate rumors and conflicts.
Basic practices also reveal systemic issues that can be rectified, preventing much bigger issues down the line. For example, an empty sanitizer dispenser not being refilled promptly can indicate a larger issue in supply management. By having a focus on these basics, IPs enforce the removal of such minor but impactful hindrances, resulting in increased efficiency.
Returning to basics is not just an action, but a strategic choice which allows for quick and measurable improvements, leading to increased funding for more significant projects and a boost in the team’s morale. Making these basic practices automatic through checklists and strategic drills can save valuable cognitive resources, leaving room for critical thinking and judgement for more complex problems. These fundamental practices not only shape the culture of safety but also contribute to a sense of pride within the team. Celebrating improvements and addressing challenges head on, transforms these basics into an internal identity.
In conclusion, IPs are encouraged to identify one fundamental practice over the next 30 days that directly impacts every patient and make it effortless to adhere to. Measuring the progress, giving due recognition to the contributors, and sharing a story about how consistent, simple behavior prevented harm can demonstrate the power of going back to basics. After all, the goal is not about louder programs, but consistent, effective prevention practiced routinely, everywhere, by everyone, and ultimately, the results will vouch for this approach.
Source: https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/back-basics-why-it-s-smartest-move-ipc-right-now