Infection Control and Prevention Professionals:

• Terri L. Dums, RN, BSN, CIC

The main function of the Infection Control Department at Saint Joseph's Hospital is to support well-established systems to prevent the transmission of health care associated (nosocomial) infections. This program integrates the safety and well-being of healthcare providers, visitors, as well as patients and their families.

Clinician support is available via consults that may be communicated either electronically or in writing. The services provided are limited to preventive and epidemiological consults and does not involve therapeutic modalities. The most common role for this department involves the initiation and discontinuation of isolation precautions, recommendations for specific laboratory analysis appropriate for infection control surveillance and patient follow-up.

Outbreak investigations and other epidemiologic studies are also performed on as needed basis. These may be triggered by observations made by patient care providers and/or infection control staff.

Finally, the Infection Control Department administers the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and the Tuberculosis Prevention Program, which is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Here is a list of some of what we do:

• Collaborates with clinical and other departments to develop strategies for infection prevention
• Serves as liaison to the local, regional and state health departments
• Serves as an informational and educational resource
• Provides department consultations as requested
• Plans and conducts educational programs for employees at Saint Joseph's Hospital and the community