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Indiana's Resource Collaborative for Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections

The purpose of this collaborative is to promote patient and provider specific resources on the prevention of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), antimicrobial resistance (AR), antimicrobial stewardship (AS), infection prevention, and other relevant topics.

This webpage is the product of the collaboration of multiple Indiana healthcare organizations and initiatives. The following sections of this webpage reflect the overlap of the goals and initiatives of our Indiana partners across the spectrum of healthcare settings. Our goal is collaboration and sharing of resources for a healthier Indiana.

See Indiana resource collaborative representatives below!

  • Indiana Department of Health
    HAI DirectorTrent Gulley, MPH
    Infection Prevention Program ManagerJanene Gumz-Pulaski, MBA, BSN, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP
    Senior MDRO EpidemiologistCaleb Cox, MPH
    Senior HAI EpidemiologistHaley Beeman, MPH
    Senior NHSN EpidemiologistKiersten Hawkins-Moore, MPH
  • Indiana Hospital Association
    Clinical Director, Quality & Patient SafetyAnnette Handy, RN
  • Qsource
    Quality Improvement AdvisorCathie Moore, LPN
    Quality Improvement Advisor / Community LeadCathy Wray, MHFA

A healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is an infection that a person can acquire while receiving treatment in a healthcare facility for another condition. There are various types of HAIs, which are often named after the site of the body in which they occur.


CDC's Water Infection Control Risk Assessment (WICRA) Tool can be used to identify gaps in a healthcare facility's water management plan.

For additional HAI resources please visit IDOH's HAI webpage.
surgical masks surrounded by other medical and office equipment
wheelchair

A Multi-Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO) is any organism that is resistant to one or more agents in at least three classes of antibiotics. Residents of long-term care facilities are of highest risk to acquire infections caused by MDROs.


CDC's Steps for Evaluating an Infection Control Breach can aid public health and healthcare professionals in investigating potential outbreaks.

For additional MDRO resources please visit IDOH's AR webpage.

The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) provides national, state, and local partners with data needed to identify problem areas, measure progress of prevention efforts, and ultimately eliminate HAIs.


The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHQR) Toolkit for Reducing CAUTI in Hospitals aims to improve safety culture with the implementation of the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP).

For additional NHSN resources please visit IDOH's NHSN webpage.
woman typing on computer

Vaccination is a key tool in infection prevention for healthcare workers and patients entering healthcare facilities. It is important to encourage staff members, patients, visitors, and family members to get vaccinated to protect themselves from disease and help prevent the spread of disease within healthcare facilities.


Resource Review:

  • CDC's You Call the Shots immunizations training course provides training on a vide variety of vaccine preventable diseases and includes vaccination recommendations.
  • CDC's Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool uses information about your age, health condition, job, and lifestyle to recommend what vaccines you may need.

For additional vaccination resources please visit IDOH's webpage on vaccination and healthcare.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.


Resource Review:

For additional mental health resources please visit IDOH's webpage on mental health and healthcare.

Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract.


Resource Review:

For additional sepsis resources, including additional webinar and podcast recordings, please visit IHA's webpage on sepsis.

An infection occurs when germs enter the body, increase in number, and cause a reaction of the body. Infection prevention is a practical, evidence-based approach for preventing patients and healthcare workers from being harmed by avoidable infections.


Resource Review:

For additional infection prevention resources please visit IDOH's webpage on infection prevention.

Antimicrobial Stewardship refers to coordinated strategies designed to promote appropriate use of antimicrobials with the goal of enhancing health outcomes, reducing resistance to antimicrobials, and decreasing unnecessary healthcare costs.


Resource Review:

For additional antimicrobial stewardship resources please visit IDOH's webpage on antimicrobial stewardship.

Question and Answer: What is patient and family advocacy?

QuestionAnswer
What is patient self-advocacy?Patient self-advocacy is when individuals become more assertive or willing to challenge medical authorities and actively participate in decisions to ensure they get the treatment they believe suits them best.
What if I need help advocating for myself?If you don’t feel comfortable advocating for yourself, an advocate may be able assist you. This advocate may be a caregiver, friend, family member, or from an independent agency. There are tools, skills, tactics, and other information that may be available to help you.
What is advocacy, and who can advocate?The patient, a caregiver, a third party, or a Patient and Family Advisory Group can advocate. A person can advocate at any and all times by bringing and taking notes, asking questions, and voiceing their care goals.
What is continuum of care?Continuum of Care is your entire healthcare journey--this may include acute care, long-term care, home healthcare, and more!
How does advocacy improve continuum of care outcomes?Being knowledgeable about your healthcare history and wishes helps ensure that everyone is working with the best information to reach the same goal--the best outcome for you!
What is a Patient and Family Advocacy Council (PFAC)?A Patient and Family Advocacy Council (PFAC), also called a Patient and Family Advisory Council or Patient Family Partners, "DOES VERB". PFAC groups improve patient and family communication, experiences, and health outcomes. Many facilities have PFAC groups, but not every facility has one.
Where can I find a PFAC?If the specific facility does not have a PFAC, try reaching out to the Patient Advocate Foundation, ADA Indiana, Family Voices Indiana, or the Indiana Patient Safety Coalition for your area!

Notes from the Field


"I have been on the PFAC for over two years. During that time, I have learned about recent advances in treatment for several chronic illnesses. I wished that others in my local community could have access to this information. Recently we had a presentation on 211 and that information absolutely needs to be shared with the public. Evidenced based information about chronic illnesses and information about services will surely improve population health!"

- Dr. JoAnne Burke, Ph. D., LCSW, LMFT, BSN, Chair, Indiana Commission on Aging; Chair, QSource Board of Directors

Page last reviewed and updated: February 2024