The emerging role of the corporate or system-level infection prevention director for integrated delivery networks

Abstract

Background: One position in integrated delivery networks (IDNs) that provides centralized oversight to optimize patient safety is the corporate-level infection prevention (IP) director. After noting variability in their roles, responsibilities, and IP programs, a national network of IDN IP directors planned a member survey to better understand common and variable elements. Nine network members volunteered to design a survey to describe the current role, responsibilities, and resourcing of all members of the corporate IP director group.

Methods: A 17-question survey was designed using the Survey Monkey multiple-choice format with a comment option. The questions were reviewed by the entire network to ensure content validity. The survey was delivered to all 72 network members by e-mail, and a 44% response rate was achieved.

Results: Survey responses revealed variation and commonalities relative to role structure, responsibilities, resourcing, and level of physician support for corporate IP directors. In addition, advantages of the position were described.

Conclusions: The results of the survey will serve as a foundation on which to build, supporting standardization and reliable design for the role, responsibilities, and resourcing of corporate IP directors, with the ultimate goal of improving patient safety.

Keywords: Physician support; Reliable design; Resourcing; Standardization; System; Variation.