Be one, teach one, IP moves to educator
In search of a standardized infection curriculum
Years ago, we tried to reach Ruth Carrico for a story and she came in from hospital curbside where she was running a drive-through flu shot campaign. The slogan? It wouldn't be the first time you killed a bug with your car.
"I have always been interested in the practical side of patient care — how can we do better by our patients?" says Carrico, PhD, RN, CIC, assistant professor of health promotion and behavioral sciences at the University of Louisville (KY). Though she has moved from an infection preventionist to the world of academia, Carrico still is looking for those answers. "We have to figure out how we can we do a better job for our patients because each us is the patient of tomorrow, unfortunately," she adds.
Though she no longer is a clinical IP, Carrico still is deeply involved in the field as an educator of university public health students and "IP newbies" who take beginning courses through the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Yes, this month, we have a literal "wisdom teacher," but Carrico is characteristically not content with relaying rote content.
"It dawned on me that we are trying to teach about infection prevention, but we have no basic [educational] standards to do that," she says. "Everybody's orientation is different and everybody's isolation signs are different. We have all of these differences in an area where there is a real need for standardization. So, we are trying to identify the basic competencies that are needed for health care personnel regarding infection prevention. "
The results of her research are in press for publication, but the ultimate goal is to formalize and standardize infection prevention education across diverse medical fields and settings.
"I hope that it will stimulate thought about how to develop a curriculum for schools of nursing, hospitals, environmental services personnel, respiratory therapists — etc.," Carrico says. "Then we would have the basic competencies and the measurable outcomes to determine a level of competency."
A new generation of IP students
In teaching Epi'101 and more advanced courses, Carrico sees a new generation coming into a field with an expanding skill set. "In the past, a predominance of infection preventionists were nurses, now we need brand new skill sets," she says. "We need people that understand behavior change, management issues, concepts of epidemiology, how to manage data and biostatistics."
If nurses are to remain the staple of the field they must augment their clinical knowledge with these new skills, many of which are taught to people working on their master's in public health. "I don't know if it makes much difference whether you are trying to teach a nurse biostatistics or an MPH about patient care," she says.
Regardless of the student's background, those taking Carrico's classes ultimately are facing the same challenge: improving the plight of the patient by preventing infections. "It helps to see that there others in the same boat with you," she says. "It helps to develop relationships and have somebody to talk with about your ideas. It's all about relationships, your connections with others. You get some great ideas from people. You don't have to be a seasoned IP to have a great idea."
As an unseasoned IP some 30 years ago, Carrico found an infectious disease physician that was more than willing to be a mentor — on one condition.
"He said, 'I will spend all the time you need; but, in return, you have to use that knowledge not just today, but every day,'" Carrico recalls. "That challenge, that offer to actively mentor, was really the most important thing that has ever happened to me in my career "
It appears she is holding up her end of the bargain.
Years ago, we tried to reach Ruth Carrico for a story and she came in from hospital curbside where she was running a drive-through flu shot campaign. The slogan? It wouldnt be the first time you killed a bug with your car.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content