Infection Prevention Control

Infection Prevention Leader

Infection Control nurse with 19+ years of IP experience, including oversight of multiple hospitals.

Certification in Infection Prevention and Control.

CAREER HISTORY

Yuma Regional Medical Facility

October 9, 2023-June 28, 2024

Interim Infection Preventionist-Contract

Yuma Regional Medical Facility is 30 miles from the border of Mexico.

I had the Oversight of the Infection Prevention Program to become a robust program and train new staff to Infection Prevention.

Oversight for preparedness of DNV standard and prepare for survey.

Oversight of surveillance for required CMS, NHSN infections in additions to requirements by the State of Arizona. Implement RCA on all HAI infections which includes chart review, data collection, analysis and trends. Interventions with staff, providers, and leaders at the organization on best practice strategies, education and guidelines. I created a robust Infection Control Program and managed one FTE who was new to Infection Prevention.

Provided instruction on Infection Prevention. During this time my team under my direction saw a decrease of CAUTI 43%, CLABSI 20% decrease, C.diff 24% decrease, SSI COLO 45% decrease. Implemented “Getting to Zero” campaign that this is possible and we can do it.

Implemented new Hand Hygiene monitoring system to provide timely data and meet Leap Frog guidelines on Hand Hygiene worked very closely with Physicians on CLABSI and CAUTI prevention strategies.

Assisted with DNV survey which resulted in Zero findings for Infection Prevention Chapter.

I was able to educate Leaders and Physician on NHSN definitions so there is better understanding on what is reportable as an HAI.

In addition I was a standing member of products, committee, Environmental of Care, surgical committees, construction committee, antimicrobial stewardship, Patient Safety and Quality Committees.

I have set up the program to be successful when I my contract is over.

HCA Lake Monroe Hospital-Sanford, Deland

April 2020-February 2023

Director Infection Preventionist

Oversight of Infection Prevention Program to meet CMS, CDC, Joint Commission standards. This includes surveillance on all required CMS, NHSN, infections which includes chart review, data collection, analysis of potential infections, concurrent intervention with staff and providers.

Oversight of submission of data to NHSN and other regulatory agencies. Collaborate with Leaders an Infection Disease Physician who also chair Infection Control Committee.

Lead the hospital through the global Pandemic. Partnered with ER and ICU Director as we implemented best practices and propriate PPE for all who entered the Hospital. Worked very closely with the Public Health Department and Florida Hospital Association along with the executive leaders as we went through this process. HAI surveillance continued during this challenging time and implemented taskforce committees identifying issues and action plans.

I created a robust Infection Control Program and managed one FTE. During this time I along with the assistance of the ICU Director was instrumental to accomplish Zero CLABSI and Zero C.diff infections for one year in addition to bringing up Hand Hygiene Compliance from 27% to 96%, based on observations using a Hand Hygiene team. I worked very closely with Physicians on CLABSI and CAUTI prevention strategies. I was able to educate Leaders and Physician on NHSN definitions so there is better understanding on what is reportable as an HAI. In addition I was a standing member of products, committee, Environmental of Care, surgical committees, construction committee, antimicrobial stewardship and other committees as needed.

Hawai‘i Pacific Health – Pali Momi Medical Center – Aiea, HI

September 2017 – January 2020

Infection Preventionist

Oversight of Infection Prevention Program to meet CMS, CDC, Joint Commission standards. This includes surveillance on all required CMS, NHSN, infections which includes chart review, data collection, analysis of potential infections, concurrent intervention with staff and providers. Submission of data to NHSN and other regulatory agencies. Works in collaboration with infectious disease physician who chairs infection control committee. Policy & Procedure – collaborate with leadership and stakeholders to address changes or issues identified. Lead/facilitate performance improvement projects. Focus on hand hygiene compliance & educate all audiences on hand hygiene. Conducts New Hire Orientation portion for Infection Control along with the New Graduate Nurse Program. Standing member of products committee, Environmental of Care, surgical committees, construction committee, antimicrobial stewardship and other committees as needed.

Accomplishments included:

Implemented EH and Administration OSHA guidelines for a pandemic.

Assisted with administering COVID Vaccines.

One TJC survey with one finding in Infection Control that was a new service missing in the IC plan.

Increased Hand Hygiene compliance from 29% to 96% compliance based on observations by IC and staff designated as secret observers.

Reduced CLABSI by 100% and maintained Zero CLABSI for over one year..

Decreased CAUTI the last 2 years reduced by 20% and this remained opportunity regarding diagnostic stewardship and Urinary Urethral Catheter maintenance and education.

Reduced C-diff rates by 100% and maintained them for over one year.

Reduced Colon SSI infections by 60% and implemented best practice SSI Prevention strategies with Staff and Surgeons. Follow the HCA tool kit and Duke COLO surgery recovery guidelines.

Lead the Hospital through a global Pandemic.

St. John’s Regional Medical Center – Oxnard, CA January 2012 – August 2017

Infection Prevention Officer

Oversight of the Infection Prevention and Control program for two acute care hospitals totaling 470-beds with a 65-bed sub-acute unit. Managed up to two FTEs. Responsibilities include program coordination, surveillance, state and NHSN reporting, risk reduction, outbreak control, education, and project management. Duties also include assisting with the Employee Health Program.

Accomplishments included:

Implemented Seasonal Influenza programs which increased vaccination rates by 50%

Three TJC surveys with no findings in Infection Control

Increased Hand Hygiene compliance from 65% to 89% compliance based on observations by IC and staff designated as secret observers.

Reduced CLABSI by 40% in both facilities

Zero CAUTI the last 2 years at one facility and reduced by 40% at the other facility

Reduced C-diff rates by 50% the last year – this was an FY17 goal that was met

San Joaquin Community Hospital – Bakersfield, CA January 1986 – January 2012

Infection Prevention Officer (January 2004 – January 2012)

Responsible for the Infection Prevention program for the 270-bed acute care hospital, including specialty units Level 111 NICU, Bariatrics, Grossman Burn Unit, Bariatric outpatient and outpatient Grossman Burn Clinic, and Cancer and Surgery Center. Managed one FTE. Responsibilities include program coordination, surveillance, state and NHSN reporting, risk reduction, outbreak control, education, and project management. Assisted with Employee Health program.

Accomplishments included:

Involved with corporate-wide transformation from completely paper based surveillance system to data mining with Quality Compass

Implemented a comprehensive hand hygiene program with over 90% compliance using the WHO hand hygiene guidelines

Operated as NHSN program administrator

Charge Nurse, Med-Surg Unit (January 1999 – January 2004)

Responsible for patient bed coordination, staff assignments and monthly scheduling at the 40-bed unit. Acted as a Med-Surg resource for the hospital.

Registered Nurse (January 1986 – January 1999)

Dedicated RN with nearly 20 years of experience within medical-surgical settings. Worked as a staff member at a 40 bed med-surge unit. Experience includes caring for patient with a wide range of medical and surgical diagnosis.

EDUCATION

BSN, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, California State University – Bakersfield, CA 1999

Associate Degree in Science, Nursing, Bakersfield College – Bakersfield, CA 1992

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSURE

RN, Registered Nurse

RN Licenses active in Florida-compact License

CIC, Certification in Infection Control, 2016, recertification in 2022

MEMBERSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

APIC, Associate for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology current

APIC Kern River’s Chapter (2002-2013)

APIC Camino Real Chapter (2013-2017)

APIC Hawaii Chapter(2017-present)

APIC Central Florida Chapter (2020-present)

APIC Broward Chapter (2023-present)

APIC California Coordinating Council

SHEA Membership (2020-present)

Current Committee Memberships/Positions Held

Patient Safety Team

Infection Control and Prevention Function Team Meeting

Infection Prevention and Control Committee

Environment of Care Committee

Nurse Council Practice Committee

Construction and Planning Committee at St. Johns Pleasant Valley-2015-present

APIC Kern Rivers Secretary (2005-2007)

APIC Kern Rivers President (2009-2011)

California APIC Coordinating Member (2005-2012)

California APIC Coordinating Nominating Committee (2011-2012)

CDI Focus group Committee

Continuing Education Activities

2023 APIC Annual Education Conference, Orlando, Florida

2022 APIC Annual Education Conference, Virtual

2021 APIC Annual Education Conference, Virtual

2019 APIC Annual Education Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2019 National Healthcare Safety Network training course – Atlanta Georgia

2017 APIC Annual Education Conference, Portland, Oregon

2016 APIC Annual Education Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona

2013 SHEA Sprint Infectious Disease Conference-Atlanta Georgia

2012 CACC Advanced Course-Assilomar, CA

2011 APIC Annual Education Conference—Baltimore, LA

2010 SHEA Education Conference Atlanta, Georgia

2009 APIC Annual Education Conference—Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

2009 Environmental of Care Conference (Pandemic Readiness)—Sacramento, California

2008 APIC Annual; Education Conference—Denver, Colorado

2007 APIC Annual Education Conference—San Jose, California

2005 APIC Annual Education Conference—Phoenix, Arizona

2004 CACC Foundations Course—Ontario, California

2004 APIC EPI Course—Baltimore, Maryland

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