Judi Boger successfully engaged stakeholders across the St. Elizabeth Healthcare system to enable a sustained decrease in Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) rates at the organization.  

A previous C. diff performance improvement effort had reduced St. Elizabeth’s infection rates, but over time they increased again and plateaued. St. Elizabeth’s leadership team appointed Boger to lead a second quality improvement (QI) effort, anchored by a multi-disciplinary C. diff collaborative that included representatives of pharmacy, nursing, pathology, laboratory, infectious disease, environmental services, information technology, quality, and the St. Elizabeth executive team. 

Boger actively championed the collaborative approach, leveraging the expertise of each department to create the structures and systems that would ensure they met their goals and were able to sustain improvements. These included electronic tools and new laboratory procedures to support C. diff monitoring and decision-making, bedside swarms for every hospital-acquired C. diff case, and monthly system-wide C. diff collaborative meetings, where innovative ideas are discussed and considered, and every C. diff case analyzed. “Every month, we evaluate cases to assess what we could have done better and determine if there is a need for additional education, or just continue to monitor for trends,” Boger said.   

Throughout Boger’s three-year tenure as the C. diff collaborative lead, St. Elizabeth’s C. diff rates have consistently decreased, with a standardized infection rate (SIR) consistently below 0.7. The healthcare system has surpassed its internal SIR goal of 0.5 and remained under the National Healthcare Safety Network C. diff benchmark. 

Boger’s leadership in keeping the collaborative on task, staying committed to monitoring and meeting regularly, creating open dialogue among key stakeholders, and consistently sharing lessons learned has enabled the C. diff initiative to switch from QI to a sustained maintenance phase. 

“Having that collaborative effort around you makes all the difference,” Boger said. 

Wadha Almarri created and implemented a multi-disciplinary initiative that significantly reduced ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) of Ahmadi Hospital in Kuwait. 

After being appointed chief of infection prevention and control (IPC) at the hospital in 2019, Almarri quickly identified ICU VAP reduction as an organizational priority. Following a retrospective analysis of VAP cases – which uncovered root causes and contributing factors – Almarri developed an action plan that was then reviewed by the hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC).   

“The IPCC comprises members of our hospital’s executive and senior management,” Almarri said. “Their deliberation of the action plan paved the way for leadership support.”  

The resulting program relied heavily on partnership to achieve its goals. Almarri initiated the development of a VAP prevention care bundle and checklist, involving ICU clinical staff in a comprehensive literature review as well as multiple meetings to review the resulting, recommended interventions. The project’s multi-disciplinary working group of infection preventionists, ICU medical consultants, nursing administrators, and respiratory therapists then partnered with ICU clinical staff and other healthcare workers to support consistent checklist compliance and provide regular feedback.  

“Hospital leaders went the extra mile to participate in clinical rounds with healthcare workers,” Almarri said. “This motivated the clinical department heads and, in turn, their staff.” 

Almarri worked with the hospital’s Information Management Services department to integrate the checklist into electronic medical records, and then gathered feedback to improve user convenience, documentation compliance, and application of the bundle interventions.  

In less than two years, the program reduced VAP incidence in Ahmadi Hospital’s adult ICU from a baseline of 5.66 per 1,000 ventilator days in 2018 to 0 per 1,000 ventilator days in 2020.  

“I attribute the success of this program to the partnership environment we established, which generated a sense of shared goals and responsibilities,” Almarri said. 

Holly Taylor spearheaded a quality initiative that reduced healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) across Ascension Texas’ 13-hospital network and enabled the organization to maintain critical infection prevention processes during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Taylor joined Ascension Texas as director of infection prevention in September 2019. During her first few months at the organization – and as part of the process to develop a strategic plan for the infection prevention and control (IPC) department – Taylor conducted a SWOT analysis of Ascension’s IPC program. The exercise had multiple objectives and benefits, enabling Taylor to quickly assess the culture of the IPC team, seek feedback on the program, and understand perceptions of it. Importantly, the SWOT also helped her prioritize changes within the department to improve HAI performance.  

“The organization appreciated the active listening before I started to change things,” Taylor said.   

Once the SWOT was completed, Taylor identified the two highest priority objectives: Modifying the IPC program structure to implement centralized surveillance and standardizing major components of the IPC workflow across the Ascension network. “We needed to leverage technology better to identify the trends across hospitals that we could fix one time rather than 13 times,” Taylor said. Over the next 18 months, Taylor and her team secured leadership buy in and successfully implemented these changes. These included employing experienced, retiring infection preventionists (IPs) to assist on an as-needed (PRN) basis with specific IPC quality projects, including surveillance. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the newly implemented IPC systems and structure supported two additional objectives: preventing burn out among on-site IPs, and continuing surveillance when they didn’t have the bandwidth to do it. Site-based staff were able to focus on the constantly evolving COVID-19 guidance, while the remote team continued HAI surveillance and investigation.  

“By giving the IPC team the tools and resources they needed, we were able to maintain our systems and staff even during the toughest COVID times,” Taylor said.  

Christina Zirges, DNP, ACNS-BC, CIC, FAPIC is currently the system Director of Infection Prevention and Control for SSM Health which includes oversite for infection prevention for over twenty hospitals and over one hundred outpatient locations. Chris facilitates the system-level Healthcare Epidemiology Infection Control (HEIC) committee encompassing four states with a focus on implementing and standardizing evidence-based infection prevention strategies. Memberships include the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), and past president and board member of the Greater St. Louis APIC chapter. Other professional endeavors include board member on the board of directors for the Certification Board of Infection Control (CBIC) for two terms, Vice-Chair of the APIC Professional Development Committee, a board member on the Board of Directors for the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC), and the HAI Advisory Council through the University of Missouri (Sinclair School of Nursing).

Miki is an Infection Preventionist in SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac.  She has practiced over 20 years in infection prevention.   She started her career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist before returning to school attain her associate degree in nursing and master's degree in Healthcare Administration.   She is certified in infection control, medical laboratory technology, lean-six sigma and holds her APIC fellowship.

Lisa is the chief executive overseeing SSM Health’s Post-Acute nursing operations.  She oversees the Post-Acute Clinical Excellent operations including emergency management, employee safety, patient safety, clinical outcomes, and regulatory/compliance. 

She has more than 40 years of health care experience as a practicing clinician and health system leader.  She has demonstrated success in hospital, long term care, and post-acute health care systems in achieving high levels of employee engagement, patient satisfaction, quality outcomes, and regulatory compliance.  She has served as the operational leader for strategic initiatives including facility integration and implementation of programs and service lines.   

Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of Wisconsin and a Master’s in Project Management. 

Alicia Strahl is an Infection Preventionist at SSM Health within Greater Fond du Lac. She began her role in infection prevention in 2021, and previously worked as a medical laboratory technologist specializing in Microbiology. She has a master’s degree in Public Health and maintains certification in clinical laboratory science by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.      

Maria Gomes is a Lead Infection Preventionist. She has been employed by Lifespan since 2018. She began her nursing career in behavioral health 24 years ago and has never left. The last 14 years of her career have been dedicated to infection prevention in hospital, outpatient, residential and community settings. She held a position on the Board of Directors for APIC New England from 2018-2022. Maria received her Certification in Infection Preventionist in 2021. In addition to infection prevention, she has a passion for education. She is currently working with CDC’s Project Frontline providing timely infection prevention and control education to the local community.

Joanna Dragone is a behavioral health nurse specializing in risk management. Her areas of expertise are increasing patient safety and reducing organizational liability. Joanna’s twenty-five years of experience with interdepartmental collaboration has been foundational to many successful patient safety initiatives. She was an active member of an interdisciplinary team who were awarded the highest honor for quality improvement offered by Lifespan, The Barnet Fain Award.

HeatherLyn Gray is an Emergency Management Specialist with over 15 years’ experience in public health and healthcare readiness. She has served as Prisma Health Richland Hospital Novel Disease Unit Coordinator since 2019 and led the implementation of the COVID-19 Site Manager program as part of the healthcare system’s pandemic response.

Shaye Beville is an Infection Prevention Partner at Prisma Health and holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education. Shaye has a combined 11 years’ experience in nursing and infection prevention with an emphasis on infectious disease, epidemiology, quality and process improvement, CLABSI prevention, special pathogen preparedness, and environment of care.

Chris Butler, PharmD is the Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.  His practice interests include infectious diseases and antimicrobial pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic optimization.  He received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois and is a board-certified infectious disease pharmacist and pharmacotherapy specialist. 

Ami Hughes, PHD, MPH, CIC is the Infection Prevention Manager at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Her areas of interest include reducing burden and transmission risk of multidrug-resistant organisms. She has earned a Doctorate in Microbiology & Immunology and a Masters of Public Health from Northwestern University. 

Tawanna McInnis-Cole is a Registered Nurse for 23 years and an Infection Preventionist for 16 years with Memorial Hermann Health System. She takes pride in the field of Infection Prevention by facilitating the implementation of evidence-based best practices across the healthcare continuum. As a motivated leader, she enjoys the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration for the development of patient and healthcare worker prevention strategies. 

Valerie Ausborn, MPH, CIC is the Regional Manager of Infection Prevention at Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center, based in Houston, Texas. Valerie received her BA from the University of Iowa and MPH in Epidemiology & Biostatistics from Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health. She is certified in infection prevention and control (CIC) and is an active member of her local APIC chapter in Houston, TX.

Valerie worked in quantitative research prior to infection prevention. She has infection prevention experience in both pediatric and adult populations, as well as experience specific to orthopedic surgery. Valerie had the opportunity to speak at APIC 2022, presenting the implementation of a bedside procedure audit tool specific to pediatric cardiovascular patients. She supports many workgroups throughout the hospital system and facility to improve quality and patient safety.

Steven J. Schweon RN, MPH, MSN, CIC, CPHQ, FSHEA, FAPIC is a seasoned, board certified Infection Preventionist. He first became interested with infectious diseases while serving as an Army medic in South Korea, where he supervised a microbiology department that specialized in sexually transmitted diseases. He later worked on the high technology isolation ward at Ft. Detrick, Maryland, home of “The Hot Zone.” Prior to becoming an infection preventionist, he had 14 years of experience, and achieved certification, in critical care and behavioral health nursing. Steve was also a long-term care “orderly” prior to attending nursing school.

Steve has been an infection preventionist since 1995, achieving continual board infection control certification since 1997. Clinical experiences include the acute care and Long-Term Care settings.

JoAnn Adkins is a registered nurse and Senior Infection Prevention Advisor for the Patient Safety Authority. In her role at the Authority, she works with Pennsylvania healthcare facilities to improve patient safety by initiating, developing, implementing, and monitoring new and existing infection prevention initiatives throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Ms. Adkins has presented educational programs on infection prevention topics at the local, state, and national levels. Ms. Adkins is board certified in infection control and epidemiology (CIC), board certified in long-term care infection prevention (LTC-CIP) and is a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC). Ms. Adkins is the 2019 recipient of APIC’s Heroes of Infection Prevention Award for Education. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Prevention and has served on the Member Services Committee, the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, and the Pennsylvania Association Directors of Nursing Administration Long Term Care.

Sandra Callery, RN, MHSc, CIC, LTC-CIP, is CBIC’s immediate past president and has worked in the field of Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC), and in leadership roles, for several decades. Her work experience includes public health, clinical research and occupational health and safety. She has worked in a variety of health care settings, and most recently with the Ontario Agency of Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Sandra is a registered nurse, with a Master of Health Sciences. She has been involved in IPAC related research and publications regarding disease transmission, management of patients with antibiotic-resistant organisms, emergency preparedness, and most recently, the value of certification for the Infection Control Professional. She is a past National President of IPAC Canada (formerly CHICA Canada) a past president of the former Hamilton and District Chapter (now IPAC Central South Ontario), and a recipient of the 2014 Moira Walker Memorial Award for International Service.

Chaz earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Florida and began his career as an Infection Preventionist in 2007. He is currently the Assistant Vice President of Infection Prevention at HCA Healthcare North Florida Division and serves as co-chair of the APIC Academic Pathway Steering Committee. His professional passions include advancing the field of IP through leadership development of IPs and advocating for MPH-ers as equally qualified candidates for IP positions.

Jill Holdsworth is a certified EMT and a volunteer with the Emory EMS program, is certified in sterile processing through HSPA as a CRCST and is the 2022 HSPA Certification Council Chairman.  Jill is currently serving on the APIC National Board of Directors and works in Atlanta, GA as the Manager of Infection Prevention at Emory University Hospital Midtown.

Steven J. Schweon RN, MPH, MSN, CIC, CPHQ, FSHEA, FAPIC is a seasoned, board certified Infection Preventionist. He first became interested with infectious diseases while serving as an Army medic in South Korea, where he supervised a microbiology department that specialized in sexually transmitted diseases. He later worked on the high technology isolation ward at Ft. Detrick, Maryland, home of “The Hot Zone.” Prior to becoming an infection preventionist, he had 14 years of experience, and achieved certification, in critical care and behavioral health nursing. Steve was also a long-term care “orderly” prior to attending nursing school.

Steve has been an infection preventionist since 1995, achieving continual board infection control certification since 1997. Clinical experiences include the acute care and Long-Term Care settings.

 Chris Olson, MBA, M(ASCP)CM, CIC, LTC-CIP, CPHQ is a former member of the CBIC board of directors and served as CBIC’s Treasurer. Chris is the Program Manager, Infection Prevention and Control UCHealth - Highlands Ranch Hospital in Colorado with 17 years of healthcare experience. He has his associate degree in medical laboratory Technology from Arapahoe Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Willamette University and a MBA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. He worked in the clinical lab for 12 years with 7 of those years in Microbiology prior to transitioning into Infection Control. 

Sheranda Fesler PhD, RN, RNC-NIC, NE-BC, CPHQ, CPPS, FNAHQ is the Vice President of Quality and Safety at HCA Houston Healthcare. Sheranda is a quality and safety nurse leader and mentor with a passion for advancing clinical practice, improving quality and safety outcomes, and promoting healthy work environments conducive to the delivery of high quality and safe competent patient care. Highly skilled in quality and safety and process improvement, nursing education, research and evidence-based practice, and team-building/mentoring.