Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1225425
Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com 11 January 13–February 17, 2020 Continued from page 9 What strides do you feel we've made in terms of infection control in the last 10 to 20 years? Numerous strides have been made in infec- tion prevention — too many to list, really. A good example would be the creation and advancement of online HAI surveillance, as well as antimicrobial surveillance and report- ing systems paired with EMRs. These all facilitate surveillance and eliminate time- consuming manual methods. The creation of an HAI program with our local health department has provided an important resource for the prevention, sur- veillance and reporting of multidrug-resis- tant organisms (MDROs). Having this resource is crucial to the development and management of any infection prevention program, especially during outbreak investi- gations and emerging diseases. Is infection control the same in outpatient and inpatient settings, or are there site-specific issues? The basic principles are the same. For exam- ple, hand hygiene remains the No. 1 method of reducing the risk of transmission of microorganisms in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The settings begin to deviate from each other when it comes to patient care and surveillance. In either setting, standard precautious like adherence to hand hygiene standards, con- sistent use of aseptic techniques, removal of unnecessary invasive devices and complying with HAI-reduction bundle strategies can go a long way in preventing healthcare-associ- ated infections. If a nurse wants to pursue a career in this specialty, what do they need to know? I'd first like them to know that infection pre- vention is a fun and rewarding field! All IPs work very closely together, so we have con- tinuous support from one another. For anyone interested in pursuing a career as an infection control nurse, know that you will be working with a variety of infectious disease processes, so understand- ing basic microbiology is very helpful. Nurses seeking entry into the specialty also need to be aware of the importance of keeping up to date on research and guide- lines. IPs are often responsible for dissemi- nating sensitive and evolving information about novel and reemerging diseases or MDROs. Everything else I feel is learned once you join the specialty. Tell us about your career goals. I have two additional goals that I would like to pursue: The first one would be to attend graduate school to obtain an MSN degree. In fact, I began my first graduate course this month. Once I obtain my MSN with a special- ization as a family nurse practitioner — with- in the next two or three years, give or take — I'll explore earning a doctorate in nursing practice. ______________________________________________ Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, CPC, NC-BC, has worked as a nurse since 1996 and has maintained the popular nursing blog Digital Doorway since 2005. He offers expert professional coaching for nurses and nursing students at www.nursekeith.com. WN 15107 Vanowen Street, Van Nuys, CA 91405 | 818.782.6600 | valleypres.org Join a team that's vital for its community. As an independent, community hospital, our family of diverse nurses work together in a compassionate environment with engaged leaders to provide excellent care and service to our community. That's why Valley Presbyterian Hospital is pursuing Magnet Recognition to demonstrate our commitment to patient outcomes and career development for nurses. • BSN, CA RN License and 1 year acute experience required • $8,000 sign-on bonus (Staff RNs working the night shift in the Emergency Department, Labor & Delivery, ICU or Operating Room) Valley Presbyterian Hospital offers self-scheduling, tuition reimbursement, specialty certification reimbursement, and advancement opportunities My Specialty: Infection Prevention Manager