Pediatric ICU nurse at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY

Infection Prevention is very multifaceted. Everyone is responsible for preventing infections.As Infection Preventionist of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, I use a multidisciplinary approach to facilitate team involvement in recognizing and acting on opportunities to keep our patients and the community safe. While aiming for zero, infections do occur. Tracking infections in a focused surveillance program helps me look at areas of our hospital and 5 outlying Primary Care Centers, that will benefit from education regarding specific infections, as well as prevention.I review, revise and create policies, ensuring alignment with regulatory aspects of healthcare and infection prevention. With the policies in place, it is my responsibility to make sure the policies are available to staff at all times. Conversations with the frontline enhance my knowledge and opportunities to work together to strengthen our Infection Prevention Program.Environment of Care Rounding is of utmost importance in recognizing areas of improvement needed. Our Environment of Care (EOC) Team rounds weekly and reports to our Infection Prevention Committee, Performance Improvement for Patient Safety Committee, Overall Safety Committee, as well as Medical Executive Committee. Significant improvements are made on a regular basis.Antibiotic Stewardship is on the forefront of Infection Prevention. Healthcare-Acquired Infections (HAIs) can be devastating to patients and their families. Working with both our Infectious Disease Physician and Infectious Disease Pharmacist has enhanced my knowledge of the importance of Antibiotic Stewardship. Bringing awareness to the frontline caregivers promotes the psychological safety of speaking up, regarding changes that may need to be addressed in a patient's antibiotic regimen. Again, the multidisciplinary approach to patient safety.I am studying for my Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) and plan to sit for the exam in 2018.

Nurse Manager of Observation/Telemetry Unit, 10 North

Attended TeamSTEPPS Master Training at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina for 2 1/2 days in March, 2009

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit RN