Orientation for Infection Prevention Professionals — Virtual Series

Tuesday, Sept. 7 — Opening Session 

8:30 a.m. — Registration Opens

9 a.m. — Welcome, Network and Get to Know Your Peers

Jessica Stultz, MHA, BSN, R.N., CPHQ, CPPS, LSSGB
Director of Clinical Quality
Missouri Hospital Association
Jefferson City, Mo.

Keri A. Barclay, R.N., CHEP
Manager of Clinical Preparedness
Missouri Hospital Association
Jefferson City, Mo.

This session provides an overview of the orientation, welcomes the participants into the program and assists them with forming relationships with peers Networking is crucial to success throughout the program and their careers, so we aim to help them begin to build the partnership with their fellow students. The relationships made during this orientation will grow throughout the program, and they can continue to support each other after the program ends.

9:45 a.m. — Health Care Worker Wellness

Tiffany Sanford-Martens, Ph.D.
Assistance Professional Practice Professor/Licensed Psychologist
University of Missouri-Columbia
Department of Psychiatry
Columbia, Mo.

This presentation provides information about the unique stressors experienced by health care workers. Dr. Sanford-Martens will provide some strategies and resources to cope, as well as provide tips on how health care workers can learn to recognize stress and burnout to manage stress in the workplace.

• • discuss the impact of stress on health care workers
  • discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and changed stress
  • discuss the concept of self-care and what it means in real terms

10:45 a.m. — Break

11 a.m. — Identification of Infectious Diseases: Microbiology, Antimicrobials and Resistance (ASP and COVID-19)

Cassandra “Cassie” Mueller, MSN, CIC, CNL
Infection Prevention Consultant
Boone Hospital Center
Columbia, Mo.

This session covers the basic principles of microbiology, specimen collection and antimicrobial stewardship. The information gained from this presentation will set the foundation for this eight-week course. Learners will use and apply this information as they learn the various elements and roles that define infection preventionists.

• • discuss the basic characteristics of microbiology/virology
  • discuss appropriate specimen collection, transport and storage to ensure quality results
  • identify normal flora and pathogens based on body site
  • discuss antibiotic susceptibility testing methods and results
  • identify and differentiate between prophylactic, empiric and therapeutic uses of antibiotics

12:30 p.m. — Lunch Break

1:15 p.m. — Identification of Infectious Diseases: Chain of Infection, Organisms of Interest

Kathleen McMullen, MPH, CIC, FAPIC
Manager of Infection Prevention, Occupational Health, Quality and Analytics
Christian Hospital and Northwest Healthcare
St. Louis

This session prepares new infection prevention health care professionals to be facilitators and resources for surveillance, prevention and control of infections. It aids professionals new to the responsibilities of infection prevention in managing the everyday duties of infection surveillance, analyzing disease data, and identifying problems and resolutions. Through a presentation of current guidelines and evidence-based practices applicable to infection control programs, product selection and evaluation, participants will be able to enhance their existing programs. Participants will engage in hands-on case study group review activities and applications of user-friendly tools to enhance their infection prevention programs and goals.

• • discuss health care pathogens and multiresistant organisms
  • discuss various infection prevention tools, such as the IC plan, risk assessment and ICRA
  • discuss the principles of sterilization and disinfection
  • discuss employee health protocols for preventing and responding to employee health and safety issues
  • discuss the National Healthcare Safety Network and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reporting requirements and definitions

2:45 p.m. — MHA Update and Resources

Jessica Stultz, MHA, BSN, R.N., CPHQ, CPPS, LSSGB

Keri A. Barclay, R.N., CHEP

This session provides the participants with an overview of support they have through the program and throughout their careers.

3 p.m. — Adjournment

Tuesday, Sept. 14

12:30 p.m. — Registration Opens

1 to 2:30 p.m. — Surveillance and Epidemiology

Elizabeth Monsees, Ph.D., MBA, R.N., CIC, FAPIC
Antibiotic Stewardship Program Manager and Senior Patient Care Services Research
Children’s Mercy Kansas City
Kansas City, Mo.

Kathy Auten, BSN, R.N., CIC
Nurse Epidemiologist
Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City
Kansas City, Mo.

This session covers surveillance as an essential tool for an effective infection prevention and control program, including types of surveillance, mandated requirements and data collection tools. The information gained from this presentation will assist the new practitioner with the development of a written surveillance plan.

• • identify the recommended and required surveillance activities to reduce and prevent healthcare-associated infections
  • describe surveillance methods applicable to various practice settings

Tuesday, Sept. 21

12:30 p.m. — Registration Opens

1 to 2:30 p.m. — Occupational Employee Health — PPE and Respiratory Protection Program: Required Vaccinations

Veronica Murray, R.N.
Occupational Health Nurse
Christian Hospital
St. Louis

• • describe occupational health in health care
  • discuss the main divisions of the responsibility of employee/occupational health professional
  • discuss the partnership between employee health and infection prevention
  • review recordkeeping requirements for employee health records
  • review ergonomic guidelines for computer workstations

Tuesday, Sept. 28

12:30 p.m. — Registration Opens

1 to 2:30 p.m. — Preventing and Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents

Rachael Snyders, MPH, BSN, R.N., CIC, FAPIC
System Director, Infection Prevention
BJC HealthCare
St. Louis

The session provides a high-level overview of the key components to preventing and controlling infectious disease transmission within various health care settings. Topics include hand hygiene, standard precautions, transmission-based precautions and process improvement initiatives.

• • discuss the role of hand hygiene
  • define standard precautions and transmission-based precautions
  • define commonly used epidemiological and infectious diseases terminology
  • describe the chain of infection and necessary steps to break the chain of infection

Tuesday, Oct. 5

12:30 p.m. — Registration Opens

1 to 4:15 p.m. — Surveillance: Big 5 (CAUTI, CLABSI, SSI, VAE, Lab ID)

Carole Leone, MSN, R.N., CIC
Infection Prevention Consultant
BJC HealthCare
St. Louis, Mo.

This interactive presentation describes how to apply healthcare-associated infection criteria to cases for surveillance. HAI types include central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, ventilator-associated events and laboratory-identified events. Participants will work through case examples and apply the surveillance definitions. Common situations and FAQs will be discussed, along with resources to assist the learners when doing surveillance.

• • explain the CLABSI and CAUTI definitions, and identify resources to assist with applying the definitions
  • describe how to apply HAI criteria to cases for surveillance
  • define the difference between VAC, IVAC and PVAP
  • describe the POA/HAI time periods, the infection window period and the secondary bloodstream attribution period

Tuesday, Oct. 12

12:30 p.m. — Registration Opens

1 to 2:30 p.m. — Environment of Care

Valyne Pochop, R.N.
Director, Infectious Disease, Prevention & Control
Mosaic Health System
St. Joseph, Mo.

Delivery of health care has changed dramatically over time, and the role of the infection preventionists has evolved to include consultant, educator, role model, researcher, and change agent. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control has identified eight core competency activities for the IP. one of which is an environment of care.

• • identify the infection preventionist’s role in maintaining a safe environment for care delivery
  • describe the role of the environment in the chain of infection

Tuesday, Oct. 19

12:30 p.m. — Registration Opens

1 to 2:30 p.m. — Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sterilization

Eileen Phillips, MSN, R.N., CIC, FAPIC
Infection Preventionist
University of Missouri Health Care
Columbia, Mo.

This presentation provides information to the novice infection preventionist about the three categories of risk that guide disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment. Examples will be covered highlighting different types of equipment and what level of disinfection or sterilization are required. An emphasis is placed on cleaning as the first step in any disinfection and sterilization process. Examples of disease transmission related to failure to properly clean and disinfect is discussed.

• • identify best practices for low levels, high levels and sterilization
  • discuss the role of environmental surfaces in disease transmission

Tuesday, Oct. 26

12:30 p.m. — Registration Opens

1 to 2 p.m. — Survey Readiness

Sarah Yelton, R.N., CPHQ, HACP, LSSGB
Quality Resource Analyst
Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City

2:30 to 3 p.m. — Networking/Questions/Gaps and Closing Remarks

Jessica Stultz, MHA, BSN, R.N., CPHQ, CPPS, LSSGB

Keri A. Barclay, R.N., CHEP

Kathy Auten is the senior nurse epidemiologist at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. She has worked in infection prevention and control since 1999 in various settings from small rural health, to a community hospital, and most recently a tertiary care academic hospital. Auten is certified in infection prevention, has held positions in the local APIC Chapter (GKC 031) and currently serves on the APIC National Education Committee. She has presented oral abstracts at APIC National Conferences and most recently received the New Investigator Award at the APIC 2021 Virtual Conference.

Carole Leone is an infection prevention consultant for BJC Healthcare in St. Louis. She provides guidance and support for infection preventionists in areas of surveillance, NHSN, reducing infection rates and determining infection prevention best practices. Leone received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and her Master of Science in nursing specializing in community health in 1995. She began her career in infection control at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in 2000 and is a Fellow of APIC. Leone has authored many abstracts and has presented both oral and poster presentations at the APIC National Conferences.

Kathleen McMullen is the manager of infection prevention, occupational health and quality at Christian Hospital, a 300-bed community facility located in St. Louis. McMullen is board certified in infection prevention and control, and she is a Fellow of APIC. She is the chair of the Practice Guidance Committee, an active liaison to AAMI and has held several positions on her local APIC chapter board (Chapter 073, St. Louis, Mo). She has been a presenter at APIC, SHEA and ID Week national meetings and is the author of many IP-related papers and abstracts.

Dr. Elizabeth Monsees is the Children’s Mercy antibiotic stewardship program manager and senior patient care services research. She also is an assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Dr. Monsees is developing a program of study on nurse participation in antimicrobial stewardship programs and has disseminated her research through academic presentations and peer-reviewed publications. In addition to her research, she holds practice and leadership positions. Dr. Monsees has served on national committees and workgroups, including the ANA and CDC Antimicrobial Stewardship Working Group, APIC Education, Communications, and Nominating and Awards Committees. She currently is a member of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Expert Panel for the Solutions for Patient Safety, a collaborative of more than 100 pediatric hospitals; Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Research Committee; APIC Research Committee; and an outpatient stewardship collaborative through the Sharing Antimicrobial Reports for Pediatric Stewardship, which already completed its first study spanning 50 hospitals. She has established and delivered educational curriculums nationally and internationally, and has authored book chapters on quality methodology, patient safety science and antimicrobial stewardship. Dr. Monsees serves on the American Journal of Infection Control Editorial Board and is a clinical editor of the APIC Online Text.

Cassandra Mueller has experience in pediatrics, medicine, labor and delivery/post-partum, and infection prevention. Mueller has been an infection prevention consultant for a 392-bed acute care hospital for the past seven years and is a part-time clinical instructor during the school year. She has presented at the National APIC Conference and the Magnet Conference. What she enjoys most about her role in infection prevention is that there is never a dull moment and that she is constantly learning something new.

Veronica Murray is an occupational health nurse at Christian Hospital, part of BJC HealthCare, in St. Louis. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Louis University. Her nursing experience includes 24 years in medical/surgical, orthopedics, cardiology and neurosurgery, and she has spent the last 10 years in occupational health. Murray is a certified occupational health nurse specialist. Her job duties include management of occupational injuries and exposures, worker’s compensation case management, and employee wellness, including vaccinations compliance for 2,200 employees, volunteers and physicians.

Eileen Phillips is an infection control and prevention manager in the Office of Clinical Effectiveness at the University of Missouri Health Care. Throughout her 30-year nursing career, she has held various positions, including five years in corporate clinical education and 13 years in infection control and prevention. She is certified through the Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology. Phillips is a Fellow of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology. She has a master’s degree in nursing in the specialty of infection control from American Sentinel University.

Valyne Pochop has been a staff nurse and charge nurse on medical/surgical and medical oncology units, and an instructor of nursing at Asbury School of Nursing, She began the ADN program at Kansas Wesleyan University. She has been a member of APIC since 2011 and has been active in the Greater Kansas City APIC Chapter holding positions on the board of directors, including as secretary, president-elect, president and past president.

Dr. Tiffany Sanford-Martens is a licensed psychologist and the Assistant Clinic Director-Psychotherapy Services at the South Providence Adult Psychiatry Clinic. She is an assistant professional practice professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Missouri-Columbia and received her doctorate in counseling psychology from MU in 2003. Dr. Sanford-Martens has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including university counseling centers, a private group practice, and VA hospitals, and she  particularly enjoys working as part of an interdisciplinary team. In her current role at MU, she sees clients for individual therapy, supervises therapists in training, serves on the residency training committee, teaches medical students and psychiatry residents, and serves as a consultant for the Hep C ECHO. She serves on the board for the Integrated Behavioral Health Clinic at MU. She has worked with clients with a wide range of presenting issues but has specific interest and training in working with individuals with chronic health difficulties and sleep difficulties. Past VA experience includes working with veterans with spinal cord injuries; serving as Director of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center for veterans with serious mental illness; and working with veterans with a variety of presenting concerns for crisis management services, consultation and individual therapy.

Rachael Snyders is the system director of infection prevention at BJC HealthCare. She has worked for BJC HealthCare since 2006 and has been in the field of infection prevention since 2010. Snyder has been certified in infection control since 2013 and became a Fellow of APIC in 2018. She is an active member in the Greater St. Louis APIC Chapter and is a frequent presenter at the APIC Annual Conference. Snyder has authored and contributed to several abstracts, journal articles and book chapters throughout her career.

Sarah Yelton has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and has served in a variety of bedside and administrative positions. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, Healthcare Accreditation Certified Professional and a lean Six Sigma Green Belt. While working for 11 years as the quality director for the CMS contractor End-Stage Renal Disease Network 12, she reviewed all of the ESRD CMS/State Conditions for Participation survey reports conducted in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, and mentored units as they formulated their corrective action plans. Yelton accompanied CMS surveyors and state of Missouri surveyors as they conducted particularly difficult ESRD surveys. She is a former Quality Examiner for the Excellence in Missouri Foundation. Since joining Saint Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza in 2010, she has coordinated and participated in more than 70 CMS, Joint Commission, OSHA and other oversight agency surveys.

Participants must attend the (live) program and all virtual events in their entirety and complete an evaluation to receive a certificate of completion and continuing education contact hours. (CEUs are not available for the recordings.)

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by AXIS Medical Education and the MHA Health Institute. AXIS Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation

Nursing — AXIS Medical Education designates this continuing nursing education activity for a maximum of 16.5 contact hours.

Learners are advised that accredited status does not imply endorsement by the provider or ANCC of any commercial products displayed in conjunction with an activity.

Requirements for Credit:

• Attend/participate in the educational activity and review all course materials.
• Complete the CE Declaration form online by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. Instructions will be provided. If you do not enter the online portal by the above date, you will not be able to retrieve your statement of participation.
• Upon successful completion of the online form, your statement of completion will be presented to you to print.

AXIS Contact Information

For information about the accreditation of this program please contact AXIS at info@axismeded.org.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

AXIS Medical Education requires faculty, instructors, authors, planners, directors, managers, reviewers and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose all real or apparent conflicts of interest they may have with ineligible companies. An ineligible entity is any organization whose primary business is t producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflicts of interest are identified and mitigated prior to initiation of the planning phase for an activity. 

AXIS has mitigated and disclosed to learners all relevant conflicts of interest disclosed by staff, planners, faculty/authors, peer reviewers, or others in control of content for this activity. Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but is made to provide participants with information that might be of potential importance to their evaluation of a presentation or activity. Disclosure information for faculty, authors, course directors, planners, peer reviewers, and/or relevant staff is provided with this activity.

The faculty reported the following relevant financial relationships or relationships they have with ineligible companies of any amount during the past 24 months:

The directors, planners, managers and reviewers reported the following financial relationships they have with any ineligible company of any amount during the past 24 months:

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

Please note that your registration request will be submitted to the organizer for approval. Upon approval, virtual instructional materials and access information will be sent to the email address indicated on the registration form. The registration fee is for one individual attendee and one connection. Each additional connection will be charged a separate registration fee.

If you have special needs addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act, please contact the Missouri Hospital Association.

MHA Health Institute
P.O. Box 60
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-893-3700
Fax: 573-893-2809

For cancellations received in writing before the established deadline date, the registrant will receive a full refund — minus a $25* processing fee per registrant. After the deadline date, no refunds will be granted. Registrants not in attendance will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions are encouraged. We reserve the right to cancel this program because of insufficient registration.

*Unless otherwise specified in the program details.