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Creating a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan for a large healthcare system
June 2005
E105
Abstract ID 54542 Tuesday, June 21
Conducting a formal needs assessment to facilitate strategic planning for a professional organization J Albee1 N Swann 2 B Mihalko 3 Y McKinney 4 1
Wayne State University, Rochester, Michigan Wayne State University, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 3 Oakwood Healthcare System, Farmington Hills, Michigan 4 Wayne State University, Inkster, Michigan 2
ISSUE: Increasing demands placed on infection control professionals and programs reduce opportunities to participate in outside professional meetings and activities. PROJECT: Board members of the APIC Greater Detroit chapter expressed concern over a perceived decline in membership and participation in recent chapter meetings and programs. Using the services of graduate students in the instructional technology program at Wayne State University, a formal needs assessment was designed and conducted to determine: 1) what is the current climate of our organization? 2) Why is membership decreasing? 3) Why is participation at meetings and educational programs low? 4) What is the future viability of the organization? The generalized needs assessment process was used to conduct the organizational needs assessment using a blended approach to collect data from a variety of sources. To determine actual versus optimal, interviews with chapter board members, extant data analysis, and a member survey were conducted to identify performance gaps. Interview guides, a Web-based survey tool (Zoomerang), and specific goals were developed for each phase of the needs assessment, respectively. RESULTS: Board interviews identified three primary questions: 1) determining what current members perceive to be the benefits of chapter membership; 2) whether the organization is meeting current member needs; and 3) member suggestions for improving chapter offerings. The member survey realized a 40% response rate. More than half (56%) of responders indicated overall satisfaction with membership. Educational programs (37%), networking (29%), and exchanging professional information with others (20%) were identified as key member benefits. Of members not attending chapter educational programs, 24% cited disinterest in topics and 48% did not have time to attend. Other opportunities for improvement in member satisfaction include more frequent chapter meetings, rotation of meeting location, more educational programs on current topics, more frequent communication and use of e-mail for communication. LESSONS LEARNED: Evaluation of survey results did not validate chapter board members’ perceptions or concerns with membership satisfaction. No correlation between years of membership and participation or perception of chapter benefits was identified. The needs assessment project establishes a foundation from which the board can develop a thorough, targeted strategic plan and subsequently measure their success in addressing or exceeding member expectations.
Abstract ID 54587 Monday, June 20
Creating a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan for a large healthcare system C Sykora1 M Jones1
E106
Vol. 33 No. 5
N Gemeinhart 2 K Woeltje 3 1
BJC HealthCare, St. Louis, Missouri BJC Corporate Health Services, St. Louis, Missouri 3 Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 2
ISSUE: Influenza infections affect 20% of the U.S. population, with an average of 110,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually. The shortage of influenza vaccine for the 2004–2005 season brought with it the potential for an even higher rate of morbidity and mortality due to influenza. The Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology Consortium of a 12-hospital healthcare system located in St. Louis, Missouri, determined that a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan was needed. PROJECT: A team of four infection control practitioners (ICPs) was established from three of the system’s hospitals, including a large, metropolitan teaching hospital, a comprehensive pediatric hospital, and a small community hospital, along with three system-level consultants, under the advisement of their medical directors. The team developed a resource packet containing a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan. The packet included a core policy, to be customized by each entity, a checklist of recommended materials to have on hand, and algorithms for influenza testing, patient placement, and healthcare worker immunization. The packet also included an admission screening tool, examples of local health department’ line list reports, and educational posters to be used throughout the healthcare facilities to heighten influenza infection prevention awareness. Many of the tools have specific recommendations for different stages of the influenza season; for example, extensive use of rapid diagnostic tests is appropriate early on, but unnecessary during peak flu season when diagnosis can reliably be made based on symptoms. The packet was developed as a guide to assist ICPs in preparing for an influenza season. RESULTS: A resource packet with a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan was developed for all of the system’s hospitals. The packet contains information addressing the action to be taken prior to and at the early onset of the influenza season, when there is an increased level of influenza activity, and during a pandemic event. LESSONS LEARNED: Annual influenza outbreaks are a serious threat to U.S. patients. To reduce that threat, it is necessary to carefully plan and prepare for each influenza season. A resource packet with a comprehensive multitiered influenza management plan is a useful tool in making the necessary plans and preparations.
Abstract ID 54590 Monday, June 20
Initiating respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette stations throughout a multihospital university medical center P Hoffner K Wilkerson Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee ISSUE: In September 2003, the state health department, along with our facility, mandated that we develop a response plan for the possible re-emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). We convened a multidisciplinary SARS task force, and five team members were given responsibility for writing the plan. During that time, we learned that respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette guidelines were being developed by the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). There was also a threat of a heavy early flu season, and we needed to provide easy access to hygiene supplies in all hospital and clinic waiting areas and lobbies. PROJECT: The SARS planning group came up with an idea for a ‘‘sneeze station’’ since our policy required that facial tissues, hand sanitizers, waste receptacles, masks, and instructional signage be readily available in all hospital and clinic lobbies and waiting rooms. We took our idea to the director of plant operations and the sneeze
E105
Abstract ID 54542 Tuesday, June 21
Conducting a formal needs assessment to facilitate strategic planning for a professional organization J Albee1 N Swann 2 B Mihalko 3 Y McKinney 4 1
Wayne State University, Rochester, Michigan Wayne State University, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 3 Oakwood Healthcare System, Farmington Hills, Michigan 4 Wayne State University, Inkster, Michigan 2
ISSUE: Increasing demands placed on infection control professionals and programs reduce opportunities to participate in outside professional meetings and activities. PROJECT: Board members of the APIC Greater Detroit chapter expressed concern over a perceived decline in membership and participation in recent chapter meetings and programs. Using the services of graduate students in the instructional technology program at Wayne State University, a formal needs assessment was designed and conducted to determine: 1) what is the current climate of our organization? 2) Why is membership decreasing? 3) Why is participation at meetings and educational programs low? 4) What is the future viability of the organization? The generalized needs assessment process was used to conduct the organizational needs assessment using a blended approach to collect data from a variety of sources. To determine actual versus optimal, interviews with chapter board members, extant data analysis, and a member survey were conducted to identify performance gaps. Interview guides, a Web-based survey tool (Zoomerang), and specific goals were developed for each phase of the needs assessment, respectively. RESULTS: Board interviews identified three primary questions: 1) determining what current members perceive to be the benefits of chapter membership; 2) whether the organization is meeting current member needs; and 3) member suggestions for improving chapter offerings. The member survey realized a 40% response rate. More than half (56%) of responders indicated overall satisfaction with membership. Educational programs (37%), networking (29%), and exchanging professional information with others (20%) were identified as key member benefits. Of members not attending chapter educational programs, 24% cited disinterest in topics and 48% did not have time to attend. Other opportunities for improvement in member satisfaction include more frequent chapter meetings, rotation of meeting location, more educational programs on current topics, more frequent communication and use of e-mail for communication. LESSONS LEARNED: Evaluation of survey results did not validate chapter board members’ perceptions or concerns with membership satisfaction. No correlation between years of membership and participation or perception of chapter benefits was identified. The needs assessment project establishes a foundation from which the board can develop a thorough, targeted strategic plan and subsequently measure their success in addressing or exceeding member expectations.
Abstract ID 54587 Monday, June 20
Creating a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan for a large healthcare system C Sykora1 M Jones1
E106
Vol. 33 No. 5
N Gemeinhart 2 K Woeltje 3 1
BJC HealthCare, St. Louis, Missouri BJC Corporate Health Services, St. Louis, Missouri 3 Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 2
ISSUE: Influenza infections affect 20% of the U.S. population, with an average of 110,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually. The shortage of influenza vaccine for the 2004–2005 season brought with it the potential for an even higher rate of morbidity and mortality due to influenza. The Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology Consortium of a 12-hospital healthcare system located in St. Louis, Missouri, determined that a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan was needed. PROJECT: A team of four infection control practitioners (ICPs) was established from three of the system’s hospitals, including a large, metropolitan teaching hospital, a comprehensive pediatric hospital, and a small community hospital, along with three system-level consultants, under the advisement of their medical directors. The team developed a resource packet containing a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan. The packet included a core policy, to be customized by each entity, a checklist of recommended materials to have on hand, and algorithms for influenza testing, patient placement, and healthcare worker immunization. The packet also included an admission screening tool, examples of local health department’ line list reports, and educational posters to be used throughout the healthcare facilities to heighten influenza infection prevention awareness. Many of the tools have specific recommendations for different stages of the influenza season; for example, extensive use of rapid diagnostic tests is appropriate early on, but unnecessary during peak flu season when diagnosis can reliably be made based on symptoms. The packet was developed as a guide to assist ICPs in preparing for an influenza season. RESULTS: A resource packet with a comprehensive multi-tiered influenza management plan was developed for all of the system’s hospitals. The packet contains information addressing the action to be taken prior to and at the early onset of the influenza season, when there is an increased level of influenza activity, and during a pandemic event. LESSONS LEARNED: Annual influenza outbreaks are a serious threat to U.S. patients. To reduce that threat, it is necessary to carefully plan and prepare for each influenza season. A resource packet with a comprehensive multitiered influenza management plan is a useful tool in making the necessary plans and preparations.
Abstract ID 54590 Monday, June 20
Initiating respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette stations throughout a multihospital university medical center P Hoffner K Wilkerson Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee ISSUE: In September 2003, the state health department, along with our facility, mandated that we develop a response plan for the possible re-emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). We convened a multidisciplinary SARS task force, and five team members were given responsibility for writing the plan. During that time, we learned that respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette guidelines were being developed by the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). There was also a threat of a heavy early flu season, and we needed to provide easy access to hygiene supplies in all hospital and clinic waiting areas and lobbies. PROJECT: The SARS planning group came up with an idea for a ‘‘sneeze station’’ since our policy required that facial tissues, hand sanitizers, waste receptacles, masks, and instructional signage be readily available in all hospital and clinic lobbies and waiting rooms. We took our idea to the director of plant operations and the sneeze