Bridging Distance and Diversifying Teams for a Robust Infection Prevention Program

Session Description: A cohesive and diverse Infection Prevention (IP) team enhances the ability to prevent and control infections. The value of a team with varied expertise cannot be overstated. A team comprising specialists in public health, nursing, microbiology, etc. brings unique perspectives and skills, and broadens the team’s knowledge. The integration of knowledge from different fields fosters creative thinking and innovative strategies, creating a knowledge repository. The team is not only becoming capable of developing and implementing more effective strategies but also devising sustainable initiatives for long-term benefits. Further, this diversification assists novice Infection Preventionists (IP’s) in gaining a 360-degree view of the IP field.

A well-connected team coordinates efforts, maintains clear communication, consistently aligns with goals and strategies, and ensures smooth daily IP operations. Team members support each other during high workload periods by covering for one another effectively. This fosters a culture of reliability and trust. While the value of a close-knit team is undeniable, maintaining team cohesion can be a challenge. Geographical spread, different patient populations, inconsistent interaction, and the need to cover multiple roles add complexity to building a cohesive team. Effectively maintaining and sustaining such a team requires collective effort. As such, bridging the distance between team members requires contributions from both leadership and frontline IP’s.

An IP leader will outline strategies for maintaining and strengthening team connectivity and expertise, such as holding regular huddles, celebrating milestones, onboarding methods, recognizing achievements, building team bench strength, and valuing diverse perspectives. This will be complemented by frontline IP’s perspective, which includes promoting collaboration, continuous learning, knowledge sharing, encouragement, support, and transparency to significantly boost effectiveness and team cohesion.

An IP team with varied subject matter expertise, when unified, is better equipped to address the multifaceted challenges of infection prevention, resulting in more robust and effective infection control practices.