QAPI 121 - Self-led Infection Control Assessment (SLICE)- support for Infection Preventionists

Background: Recent epidemics have spurred innovations in infection prevention and control (IPC) materials, equipment, devices, and technologies, highlighting opportunities to improve routine and emergency IPC practices. The ability to critically examine how IPC is performed is fundamental to advancing and strengthening IPC preparedness. However, even with technological advances, small, rural, and critical access hospitals experience challenges in IPC preparedness. To aid these facilities and Infection Preventionists (IPs) in assessing and improving their IPC programs, the Self-Led Infection Control Assessment (SLICE) tool was developed by a group of IPC subject matter experts (SMEs).

Methods: The SLICE tool provides a standardized set of criteria to identify gaps, provide resources, and evaluate IPC programs to guide improvement strategies. Utilizing a modified delphi method of domain development after literature review, SMEs created fourteen domains with 650 survey questions. A total of 27 IPs from healthcare facilities across six states participated in the SLICE pilot which included a post-assessment survey via Qualtrics. In addition, IPs were randomly selected to participate in a post-pilot interview.

Results: During the 3.5-month pilot, a total of 291 domains were completed. Post-evaluation surveys revealed that participants would recommend SLICE, would retake the assessment at regular intervals to track program improvement and planned on making changes based on information provided by the summary reports. Participants reported the most valuable features of the SLICE assessment were tool comprehensiveness, summary reports, access to resources, and online availability. Participants reported their experience with SLICE was superior to that of other assessment tools.

Conclusions: SLICE was found to be a unique and beneficial tool that allows IPs to wholistically evaluate their IPC program, identify gaps, prioritize needs, and provide direction for improvement. The SLICE tool promotes IPC program resilience by removing redundant efforts and allowing IPs to focus on program enhancement and improvement.