Wisconsin Builds Partnerships through Infection Preventionist Boot Camp

Over 50 participants from the field of Infection Prevention gathered at the Carpenters Training Institute in Pewaukee, WI on October 23rd for the Wisconsin Hospital Infection Preventionist (IP) Boot Camp. The boot camp demonstrated the private-public partnership between the Carpenters, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Division, MetaStar, and the Wisconsin Hospital Association that provides education and resources to new IP professionals.

The training featured topics including Assessing Your Current Program and Risk Assessment, Surveillance, National Healthcare Safety Network basics. Environment Infection Prevention and IR Rounding. 

DeAnn Richards, an Infection Preventionist at MetaStar, Inc. spoke about the constant changes taking place in the field of infection prevention. Richards stated as we all work towards patient protection, “We are at the novice state.”  “The majority of problems are processed based, they are not people based”, said Richards. The key recommendation in dealing with present problems throughout a facility is by conducting routine audits, getting out from behind your desk and doing IP rounding. During those rounds, IP’s are encouraged to meet with nursing staff to show them anything discovered during the rounding.

Carol Johnson, a hospital IP from Western Wisconsin said, “This is my second time attending this training. This is the first time this training has focused solely on IP’s. I found the resources and training very helpful. I look forward to this training each year.” Johnson stated that you can’t underestimate the importance of infection and ICRA training with many hospitals lucky to have a full time IP at their facility while some hospitals may even share IP staff between facilities. Everyone has to be on the same page working towards patient protection, health care safety and cost effectiveness.