Q: What was the first step you took in improving your infection control and quality improvement programs at Metrocrest?
Meg Tomlinson: I created and incorporated quality improvement and infection control responsibilities into one position. It used to be just one person focused on both of these, which was me, but ever since we created this joint position our programs are much better improved and there’s substantially more compliance.
Q: How was your infection control/quality improvement officer chosen?
MT: I had a nurse who had a lot of potential because she was always wanting to be in charge and wanting to learn, so I delegated these responsibilities to her.
Q: What are the responsibilities that are delegated to her?
MT: She does the audits weekly on infection control, like hand washing and cleaning of testing equipment, by walking around, reporting and observing. She puts together the reports on infection control and compiles those into our monthly report, which are presented to the medical advisory committee. She also heads up the committee for quality improvement. She’s also responsible for attending two seminars — one for quality improvement and one for infection control.
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