Date of Submission

Fall 12-6-2022

Document Type

Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Francine Serafin-Dickson DNP, MBA, BSN, CNL

Second Advisor

Dina Silverthorne EdD, RN, CNL

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created enormous demands on infection preventionists (IPs). It seriously taxed IPs and required hiring new IPs to support these demands. It is highly competitive to hire experienced IPs, and it can take up to two years for new IPs to demonstrate proficiency before pursuing their certification. A gap analysis revealed that current infection prevention (IP) programs did not provide formal training or mentoring.

Methods: The fellowship program will use the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) competency model to train and build IP competency. The APIC accelerated training program will provide training to new IPs.

Results: The success of the fellowship program will be determined by the following four outcome measures: fellow skills and knowledge, a qualitative survey of attitudes and competence, healthcare-associated infections (HAI), and cost savings.

Conclusion: This fellowship program will feature learning through a standardized didactic curriculum, clinical application, and shadowing interdisciplinary healthcare teams. This program will serve as a template for future infection prevention training within the organization.

Keywords: Infection Prevention Practice Fellowship (IPPF) Program, infection preventionist, training, competency, infection prevention mentoring, fellowship program.

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