Detailed Approach to Building a Successful Ambulatory Infection Prevention Program

Session Description: Over the last several decades there has been a large shift in healthcare delivery from the inpatient setting to a variety of outpatient settings. Our facility significantly expanded our own ambulatory footprint from the existing 80 outpatient locations by building three large outpatient care buildings consisting of multispecialty clinics and ambulatory surgery centers. This growth resulted in the need to reassess our infection prevention department resources available to provide appropriate coverage and support. In 2019 our department dedicated two full-time Infection Preventionists (IPs) to build and expand our hospital’s ambulatory infection prevention program, now including three IPs. We evaluated over 170 clinics and assigned them a risk category of high, medium, or low. Risk assignment was based on potential infection control opportunities, such as sterilization, and need for additional support and resources. An audit schedule was created using these categories with prioritization given to higher risk clinics. To increase efficiency, we assigned clinics by geographic area and developed an electronic audit tool to capture infection control opportunities and findings. The respective clinic managers and leaders received real-time feedback from these audits. Based on findings, both formal and informal education was provided to staff addressing these opportunities. Some opportunities identified were the lack of specific ambulatory infection control resources and the need to addend existing policies. We also realized relationship building was key to the success of our ambulatory infection prevention program. Those relationships were built through participation in multidisciplinary rounds, providing education and feedback, and maintaining trust and accountability. We provided timely responses, information, and real time education to infection prevention questions and concerns though email and other communication platforms. Participants in this session will learn to ways to assess clinics, prioritize resources based on clinic risk, develop and utilize audit tools, and build meaningful relationships with multidisciplinary teams.