Many infection preventionists (IPs) who first get started with this process feel the same way. It can indeed feel like a daunting task at first and by not knowing its benefits, it may feel easier to entirely set it to the side. This makes risk mitigation activities much more difficult to achieve throughout the year.
In my recent webinar on this topic, I discussed in more detail why it’s important to conduct the risk assessment annually and how to do it more effectively.
In this article, I’m providing a summary of those key points:
What is the Annual Infection Prevention Risk Assessment?
The annual infection prevention risk assessment is a process that allows infection preventionists to identify risks within their facilities. It helps them remain proactive in identifying gaps in infection prevention practices, allocate resources effectively, and promote patient safety. It also gives IPs a roadmap for the year and requires good organizational and communication skills and let’s not forget, patience.
Many new infection preventionists, who first start this process, are unsure of what it entails. Those familiar with it, feel that the process is ineffective and they’re not sure how to correct this issue. Others are not quite sure whether it’s a requirement or not. They don’t believe it will make a difference in their current healthcare practices and that things are okay as they are. As advocates for patient safety, okay is not exactly what we aim for.
Now let’s break down what makes an annual risk assessment process effective:
Key Element #1 - Set Specific Goals and Objectives
It’s practically impossible to execute a plan without an end goal and specific objectives. The annual risk assessment is the IP’s strategic plan for the year and must involve a data-driven approach to achieving certain goals and objectives.
The IP must identify potential risks and gaps in healthcare practices, set specific metrics to monitor, and the associated objectives that will drive the implementation of appropriate interventions. For this purpose, the IP must have access to data related to the gaps and risks identified within the facility. The IP should then monitor these data throughout the process to assess for improvement.
Key Element #2 - Collaborate with Your Stakeholders
The role of an IP involves several responsibilities that sometimes must be handled simultaneously. For the annual risk assessment process to be effective, the IP must collaborate with department stakeholders. First, the IP must identify department champions who work at the frontline, and then involve them in the process.
“Being more collaborative, getting their buy-in, in order to enact change is also really important […] It's not a dictatorship. It really is a collaboration.” - Vanessa Makarewicz, Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Seattle, WA
By joining forces with frontline staff, the IP not only shares the workload of implementing best practices with other members of the workforce but also benefits from valuable insight from those who directly care for patients. Frontline staff also benefit from this relationship as they learn to better understand infection prevention best practices while feeling empowered as leaders in the process.
Key Element #3 - Maintain a Continuous Improvement Mindset
The annual risk assessment is neither a one-and-done nor a standalone process. It’s not effective if reviewed only once a year and left alone until the next year, or if it’s conducted independently from the infection control work plan and without the involvement of department stakeholders.
Those goals and objectives set at the start of the process must be re-evaluated regularly throughout the year to ensure the effectiveness of the interventions and their completion. In some cases, goals and objectives cannot be met within the same year due to various barriers that can be identified throughout the process. That’s why an evaluation plan with a preset schedule is crucial. By putting such a plan in place, the IP can easily re-evaluate interventions, identify additional gaps, and reset expectations to help reallocate resources and achieve the set objectives more effectively. The IP should educate department champions regularly to promote a continuous improvement mindset throughout the entire process.
By maintaining ongoing collaboration, tracking data regularly, and keeping a continuous improvement mindset, IPs will notice that the annual risk assessment process becomes more manageable over time and goals can be achieved in the long run.
Get Started with This Process in Your Facility
In my recent webinar, I provided real-life examples of how to conduct the annual risk assessment process effectively. In my next course, I will teach the detailed process and provide free resources to help you conduct it independently in your facility. To take advantage of this course, join the waitlist.