Thank you to everyone who participated in the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Champion Challenge! We loved seeing what you are doing to keep kids, families, and their communities safe and healthy – and the innovative ways you’ve learned to prevent and control the spread of infections in your practices.
Everyone who submitted an IPC practice/tip during the challenge has been sent a prize and was considered for the grand prize. After careful consideration, FCAAP’s IPC Ambassadors, Dr. Allison Messina and Dr. Ivan Gonzalez, agreed on a tie!
Congratulations to FCAAP’s IPC Champion Challenge winners, Mobeen Rathore, MD, CPE, FACPE, FIDSA, FAAP, FAAP and Jennifer Held, MSN, RN, CIC ! Check out the IPC tips that earned them the prize below.
Mobeen Rathore, MD, CPE, FACPE, FIDSA, FAAP, FAAP – University of Florida Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Service (UF CARES)
In response to the recent outbreak of measles in Florida and around the country, I developed a simple acronym INTIMATE:
ISOLATE: Any suspected and confirmed case of measles
NOTIFY: The health department of any confirmed cases and potential exposure
TEST: Follow CDC guidance and recommendations for testing
IMMUNIZE: Immunize any exposed eligible children ASAP
MANAGE: With and in coordination with local health departments
ADVOCATE: For immunization for all eligible children
TRAVEL: Children 6 months of age and older who are traveling should be immunized against measles
EDUCATE: Your families and community about measles and importance of immunizations and isolation when eligible.
This has helped providers and staff to have a quick reference guide when concerned about measles without spending too much time in a busy clinic or ED to figure out what to do.
Jennifer Held, MSN, RN, CIC – Infection Prevention AdventHealth for Children
We started using ATP testing and sharing results with staff in real time. We noticed an increase Staph aureus cases in the NICU. We also went back to the basics – good hand hygiene, short nails, no long sleeves, and no jewelry (including rings and watches) during direct patient care. We encouraged cleaning hard surfaces at the beginning of each shift including computers on wheels, phones, and desktops. We followed through with ATP testing to check for bioburden which can lead to bacterial growth. Higher numbers of ATP mean increased bioburden which can harbor organisms which can be passed by contact to our most vulnerable patients. By performing ATP testing and giving results in real time, staff are more aware and have been wiping areas with hospital grade cleaning wipes at the beginning of each shift. These processes have started to be engrained and I even had the pleasure of hearing staff remind each other to wipe surfaces.
This activity is funded through an AAP grant as part of the CDC’s national collaborative Project Firstline.
