2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention

1. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention In this special slide show we recognize the outstanding individuals in infection prevention and control, as nominated by ICT readers.

2. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Jakaulla Khan, MD • “Dr. Khan joined the staff at Kingman Regional Medical Center, a 235-bed acute care facility in Arizona several years ago. He meets a vital need in the community for a highly experienced specialist in infectious disease. My role as the IP would be much more difficult without Dr. Khan. In many rural settings IPs practice independently, Dr. Khan always makes himself available to Infection control for consults on patients and situations, and serves as chairman of the ICC. His expertise is vital in drafting new policy and procedure. Dr. Khan never misses an opportunity to educate physicians, nurses, patients, and their families, so he is an excellent liaison with infection control. His team approach to medicine and his belief that physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc., are all critical to the treatment of the patient and every infection, has helped improve the care we offer our patients.” • Nominated by Debbie DeMarce MT (ASCP), CIC • Infection preventionist, Kingman Regional Medical Center, Kingman, Ariz.

3. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, ACE, FCS • Klacik has been the IAHCSMM representative to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) from 1997 to the present. She serves on several key sterilization committees, including serving as the co-chair of the AAMI Process Challenge Device (PCD) committee. She is the author of numerous articles including The Communiqué’s column, “Inside Washington” as well as contributing author to the CRCST textbooks and an advisory board member of the CRCST Self-Study lessons. She has been international speaker on sterilization topics for 10-plus years. She received the IAHCSMM President’s Award in 1996 and 2003. In 2009 she was the recipient of the IAHCSMM Award of Honor. Recent accomplishments include participation on the multi-society immediate use steam sterilization position paper in 2010. In 2011 she was the IAHCSMM spokesperson for the FDA new document, submitting comments for IAHCSMM on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff Processing/Reprocessing Medical Devices in Health Care Settings: Validation Methods and Labeling. During the AAMI/FDA summits she gave presentations on the issues faced by CSSD when reprocessing re-usable medical devices. To resolve problems faced by CSSD, she submitted the new work proposal to AAMI on Standardization of Instructions for Use (IFU).

4. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Natalie Lind • “I would like to nominate Natalie Lind, the education director at IAHCSMM. Infection control must be a seamless team work from the beginning of patient admission until the end of the patient's full recovery. In this process, the role of CSSD is becoming more recognized in professional and general communities, Natalie has been a great leader, raising awareness on the role of CSSD in infection control. Currently, about 75 percent of all certified CS employees are certified by the IAHCSMM. Natalie has been the brain behind the scenes, developing effective educational tools and implementing them to the full extent. Moreover, Natalie has been leading international efforts, bringing best practices to CSSDs all around the world. The International Sister CSSD Educational Exchange Program and the translation of the Central Service Tech Manual to Japanese and Chinese languages are result of Natalie's passion and relentless dedication to seeking excellence. Natalie and her contributions are recognized well within the CSSD community; however, her contributions deserve recognition beyond the CSSD community. I truly hope that you give a serious consideration to recognize Natalie's passion and hard work to improve infection control practices all around the world.” • Nominated by H. Cem Yurttas, PhD, international scientific affairs and education manager, 3M Infection Prevention Division

5. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Valerie Lyon, RN, BSN, CIC • Valerie Lyon, RN, BSN, CIC, is an infection preventionist at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, Mo. Lyon is dedicated to driving healthcare associated infections to zero. She has led the organization through many performance improvement initiatives. She led a multidisciplinary process to eliminate VAP’s which included performing oral care every two hours, and keeping the head of the bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees while on ventilator and for 48 hours post extubation. She facilitated ICU staff to eliminate CLABSIs and then implemented this process hospital-wide. The process includes use of insertion and daily assessment of need checklists. CRMC has had zero VAPs and CLABSI’s for greater than two years. Lyon implemented a multidisciplinary hand hygiene program. This program is utilized in hospitals, clinics and home health. She led an FMEA to reduce CAUTIs. Policies and physician orders were revised to promote use of urinary catheter only when medically necessary. Lyon also facilitated a preoperative MRSA screening process for specific surgical procedures. The process involves swabbing patients at least 24 hours in advance of surgery, and it gives surgeons information to determine preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis and promotes good antibiotic stewardship.

6. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Darlene Miller, DHSc, MPH, SM (ASM), CIC • “Our chapter would like to recognize and nominate Dr. Darlene Miller for Who’s Who because of her unrelenting commitment to the education of our members over the past 24 years. Darlene started her career as a microbiologist, earned a master’s degree in public health and a doctorate in science. Darlene shows her commitment to education by developing, promoting and providing educational venues for our members. She organized the chapter CBIC review course for members preparing to take the CBIC exam. Darlene exemplifies a model infection preventionist and selflessly shares her knowledge and time. She continuously works toward promoting the educational growth of other IPs in an effort to create a safer world. Our chapter is truly fortunate and honored to have her as an active member. She continually works on projects that serve the Miami-Dade County community and beyond and is a true inspiration to new and seasoned IPs in the Miami-Dade County APIC Chapter.” • Nominated by Arely Rego, APIC Chapter 008 president

7. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Dawn Page, MT (ASCP), BS, BA, CIC • “Dawn Page, MT (ASCP), BS, BA, CIC, works tirelessly at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla. to promote best practices in infection control. She chairs the Infection Control Committee, is active with numerous facility QI projects, and participates in a variety of committees dedicated to patient and employee safety. Her attendance at continuing education seminars as well as APIC annual meetings generates necessary inquiry and evaluation of our practices based on current knowledge and evidence. Dawn also believes in teamwork and collaboration, reaching out to others for guidance and support in our quest for excellence. In October 2011, to highlight Infection Control Week, Dawn organized and presented ongoing interactive staff education in a non-stressful, fun environment. Her commitment to infection control as well as her dedication to others complement her knowledge, skills, and attitude, making Dawn Page a formidable ally in providing the best care possible to our patients and our North Brevard community.” • Nominated by Vi Philbrick, MSN, RN, CNOR. Parrish Medical

8. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Kristina Pirollo-Ketchum, Chanell Callahan and Crystal Cameron • “I would like to nominate myself and my associates, Chanell Callahan, CRCST, and Crystal Cameron. Since the birth of Stafford Hospital we have remained a flash-free facility. We have made arrangements to substitute the method by utilizing other methods of sterilization as well as staff education for the Surgeons and the OR staff. As Dr. Vayer, past chief of surgery for Stafford Hospital, noted in his department of surgery Update, ‘We would like to especially thank our Central Sterilization team. Their no-flashing policy in Central Sterilization is a large part of our success.’ We mandate monthly webinars and in-services to keep up to date with AAMI and AORN standards. We strive for overkill in the decontam processes to ensure that only the best products are used in our facility, sterile ready and free from any bioburden. We are certainly the patient’s advocate and have a strict rule of ‘not on our watch’ will anyone receive less than perfect. I am proud of our accomplishments and our success. We believe we fail together or we succeed together. We have yet to ‘short cycle’ and we have yet to have any patient have any post op infections due to our department.” • Nominated by Kristina Pirollo-Ketchum, CRCST, CHL, ACE, sterile processing manager, Stafford Hospital From left: Cameron, Callahan and Pirollo-Ketchum

9. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Judy Prescott • “I would like to nominate Judy Prescott, system director of Infection Prevention for Baylor Health Care System. Judy has been a president of Texas Society of Infection Control and Prevention. She has received the Gerry Haynes award for infection prevention from TSICP. She has led the Baylor Health Care System to believe in Target Zero. She has led the system wide team in infection prevention to standardize policies and practices. She has helped to develop an orientation process that is used throughout the system to orient new infection preventionists whether they have previous experience or not. She has fought to prevent infection preventionist staffing cuts and led the way to mandatory influenza vaccination. She is always willing to mentor or help anyone in anyway she possibly can. She is a wonderful resource and mentor to all who work at BHCS.” • Nominated by Brenda Helms RN, BSN, MBA/HCM, CIC, • manager of infection prevention and employee health at • The Heart Hospital Baylor, Plano, Texas

10. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Scott Reynolds, MT, CIC • “Scott Reynolds, MT, CIC, infection control specialist, is widely considered to be one of the hardest working employees at James H Quillen VA Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn. He works meticulously to ensure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to infection prevention. With eight years’ experience in infection control and as a retired medical technician from the local medical school immunology laboratory, he has brought a wealth of knowledge and guidance to the facility. Scott has been instrumental in bringing the infection rates at JHQ VAMC to their lowest rates historically. One method he has used in achieving this task is through education. Scott teaches 15 monthly infection control classes to the employees of the hospital and he excels at this task. Scott’s greatest strengths are his work ethic, passion and enthusiasm for infection prevention. It is very common to hear someone say that Scott is their favorite teacher. Through his visibility in teaching so many classes for so many years, he has been able to build exceptional working relationships with every department in the hospital. Due to Scott’s untiring efforts, every employee of JHQ VAMC understands their role in infection prevention.” • Nominated by Veronica Osborne, LPN, CRMST, CRCST, SPS Quality Management Coordinator, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center

11. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Maureen Spencer, RN, MEd, CIC • “Maureen has been an inspiring role model for infection preventionists for almost 40 years, beginning her career as an infection control nurse in 1973 at the Carney Hospital to currently practicing at a national level as the corporate IP for Universal Health Services, Inc., overseeing the infection the prevention program for 25 acute-care hospitals. Maureen’s style can be easily characterized as one of focal involvement, encompassing all aspects of patient care. Maureen has always strived for excellence in both her personal and professional endeavors. She has influenced a generation of infection preventionists through her sentinel publications, committee work, workshops and numerous lectures which she has delivered in the U.S. and abroad. When I first met Maureen in 2004 I was greatly impressed with her knowledge and understanding of all aspect of the surgical sciences which she has used effectively throughout her career to improve patient outcomes. She considers all healthcare professionals as colleagues and views problem solving as a holistic process, encompassing both mind and body. I consider Maureen as a valued colleague (friend) and professional resource, who continues to influence my own infection prevention practice at Froedtert Hospital. As an infection preventionist, Maureen Spencer has always been a trail blazer, never ‘following the pack’ but always striving to lead by example. “ • Nominated by Charles E. Edmiston, Jr., PhD, professor of surgery and hospital epidemiologist, Frodetert Hospital/Medical College of Wisconsin

12. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Debbie Thompson, RN, MSN, CIC • “In the northwest corner of Alabama we have several small rural hospitals and two larger urban hospitals. The past two years have been quite challenging for area infection preventionists (IPs) because currently only one of those hospitals (Helen Keller) has an experienced IP -- all other area hospitals have new IPs with limited experience. Debbie Thompson,  an experienced IP and president of the Tennessee Valley APIC Chapter 127, has provided mentoring and support for these new ICPs. Debbie is an excellent educator and frequently provides Infection Prevention education for other agencies and nursing schools in our area. Debbie is a wealth of knowledge and is always willing to share that knowledge with others. The experienced IPs in our chapter have joined Debbie and are committed to providing mentoring to new IPs in north Alabama. Debbie is a charter member of the Tennessee Valley APIC and has served in almost every office but her primary focus is always quality education for all of us involved in infection prevention. Our local newspaper calls Debbie often to provide public information for infection control issues. Debbie's dedication and commitment to excellence inspires all of us who know and work with this special IP.” • Nominated by Brenda Simpson, RN (member of the Tennessee Valley APIC 127)Nurse consultant/education director, North Alabama Infusion and Compounding Co.

13. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention • Marc-Oliver Wright, MT (ASCP), MS, CIC • “Marc-Oliver Wright is the corporate director of infection control for NorthShore University Health System in Evanston, Ill., which includes four acute care hospitals (total of 900-plus beds) and more than 75 ambulatory care centers. He has published his findings in numerous peer-reviewed journals including the American Journal of Infection Control (where he also serves on the editorial board), Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases among others. As an example of his contributions to the field, he directed the first major clinical study of an alcohol-dispensing disinfection cap designed to help prevent contamination of central venous catheter valves. Marc-Oliver will be presenting about the study at the APIC 2012 annual conference. His abstract for the presentation won a blue ribbon award from the National APIC Council. An infection prevention professional for a decade, he is the immediate past-president of the Chicago Metropolitan Chapter of APIC.” • Nominated by Dennis Gregory, Dowling & Dennis Public Relations

14. 2012 Who’s Who in Infection Prevention Congratulations to all of our nominees! Thank you for viewing this slide show. Other slide show presentations can be found in the on the Infection Control Today website.