ETC 46 - Connecting the Dots: Expanding an Infection Prevention Orientation Program to Develop Well-rounded Infection Preventionists

Background: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is broad in scope, encompassing all aspects of the healthcare environment. Infection Preventionists (IPs) are expected to be well-rounded and competent in their role, necessitating a robust orientation program. Our current program is aligned to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology’s (APIC) Competency Model but is task-based and lacks opportunities for meaningful application to IPC.

Methods: New IPs provided feedback regarding onboarding and identified a disconnect between the tasks and the significance in IPC. The team reviewed literature for orientation resources and identified gaps in our program. Our goal was to enhance onboarding through focused interventions, including standards for preceptors and condensing significant topics into digestible and applicable formats.

Results: To create a standard approach to precepting, we established expectations and resources for the preceptors. To condense a myriad of resources on a particular topic, we created concise tools to assist in connecting literature to the IP role. To provide opportunities for application, we designed IPC scenarios to reinforce the content. The interventions were incorporated into a weekly meeting between preceptor and orientee to assess knowledge, address barriers and apply IPC concepts to the role and field.

Conclusions: This department has engaged in an iterative process to review, refine, and implement a robust orientation program for new IPs. After the most recent iteration of this work and the interventions outlined, improvement in the department was observed. New IPs were surveyed about the orientation program and 100% of respondents answered agree or strongly agree that they understand the overall roles and responsibilities of being an IP. As IPC is a complex and evolving field, this department will continue to enhance the program to ensure each IP is well-rounded and competent in their role.