3202-A - Developing IP Program Standards for Critical Access Hospitals

Session Description: Critical access hospitals (CAH) are small facilities, typically in rural areas, with 25 or less licensed beds. Although these facilities are small, the expected infection prevention (IP) activities remain extensive. In many cases, the person responsible for IP also has several other roles, which may limit the success of the program.

System IP at a large healthcare system, which includes 17 CAH, worked with a group of experienced CAH IP to define a standard program plan tailored to meet the needs of these facilities. Program standards were aligned with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) IP competency model domains. Current workloads and workflows were vetted by the group, and activities in each domain were detailed, with expected minimum frequency of occurrence (document to be discussed and shared during the presentation).

Time estimates for completion of each activity were assigned and then extrapolated to offer guidance on necessary full-time equivalents (FTE) for adequate staffing, considering differences between CAH such as services provided. Staffing of each CAH by a single individual, versus hiring one IP to cover several CAH, was compared during discussions with CAH leaders at the end of the project. Details of these staffing results, as well as tools for the leader of IP at the CAH to use to validate compliance with program standards, will also be discussed and provided.