Veronica Ozhan, Cic Email & Phone Number

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Review and monitor outcomes that promote compliance with our Quality Assurance Process and Performance Improvement Program (QAPI). Facilitate improvements in response to compliance audits, satisfaction surveys, and focus studies incorporating Best Practice Standards. Board Certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC), Co-chair of the Infection Control Committee with IGNMP Medical Director, track and trend all Infection Control data, and serve as Infection Control resource for facility. Conduct site surveys at contracted Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. Provide comprehensive education for employees, participants, caregivers, and outside vendors. Track and trend Grievances for IGNMP and assist with investigations related to Level II reports and other serious incidents utilizing the RCA format. Assist with development of IGNMP Policies and Procedures, help develop Performance Improvement Plans, and ensure compliance with company's policies and procedures. Responsible for program data for IGNMP QAPI Grid and Health Plan Management System (HPMS) report.

EpidemiologyCarry out continuous surveillance for 20 units within Rust Medical Center (RMC) and Pres Main Downtown and identify healthcare acquired infections and report to NHSN if appropriate. Report the NM reportable diseases to the state using Midas software and Epic Production Hyperspace. Review microbiology reports in Midas and any other clinical data needed in Epic to include Lines/Drains/and Airways, Vitals, Radiology reports, Physicians notes, H&P’s, Consultation notes, Surgery notes, any other labs, etc. for any patient of concern. Collaborate with other Infection Control staff and other staff throughout Presbyterian CDS, Urgent Care locations, and PMG locations to implement/recommend new interventions to help reduce the risk of acquiring a healthcare related infection and also analyze existing practices to evaluate their effectiveness. Analyze/validate reports in Midas, NHSN, and Statit to report to IC Committee, physicians, administrators, etc. Report all of our numerator and denominator data to NHSN that is required by CMS. Monitor compliance with isolation practices, hand hygiene, policies, and guidelines throughout CDS. Work with IC team to include PIPN and PMGs in updating/revising all our policies/guidelines so they are up to date, accurate and are ready for any Joint Commission Inspection. At RMC site one day a week so that I may help out with any Infection Control issues and ensure Infection Control policies/guidelines are in compliance. Perform Infection Control audits/tracers at RMC and Urgent Care locations as needed and report to unit managers, directors, administrators, etc. Perform Infection Control rounding and Hand Hygiene audits at RMC and Pres Main and educate staff when appropriate while ensuring compliance to procedures/policies.

Perform and train new employees in a leadership role for proper specimen processing, acquisition, and analysis of six color flow data on the BD FACSCanto II using BD FACSDiva Software and BD FACSCanto Software and on the BD FACSCalibur with BD Paint-a-Gate Software and ModFit Software for four color flow to perform Leukemia/Lymphoma testing, Stem Cell Collections, Fetal RBC testing, DNA ploidy, CD4 counts, CD348, and Immunodeficiency panels. Perform audits for our department for CAP inspections and ensure policies and procedures are accurate and up to date. Test blind samples from outside companies within the U.S. and Europe for continued competencies throughout the year. Work with other departments like Microbiology, Cytogenetics, Molecular, and Renal to finish testing on certain specimens received in the lab. Able to efficiently multitask for a very fast-paced lab environment with a quick TAT and with great accuracy. Accession requisitions with patient’s correct demographics, test orders, and ordering physicians in Powerpath Software with the aid of Sunquest as needed. Schedule and direct work flow for employees to ensure maximum output for lab. Every yearly evaluation has been stellar.

Trainer for processing of infectious disease plasma and whole blood samples for EIA testing, Antibodies, Hepatitis B & C, HTLV I & II, Core Enzyme, HIV I & II, and SPIFE. Proficient in the use of Abbott Flexible Pipetting Center, Abbott Parallel Processing Center, Tecan Megaflex, Spife 2000 and 2001, and Dynamic Incubators. Selected for Preceptor/Instructor Training at STBTC, 98% success on all runs for testing with extremely low technician error to equipment failure ratio. Facilitated Preceptor Training and SOP Training for new employees at STBTC.