The Role of APIC Chapters in Achieving Prevention of Healthcare Associated Infections

Background: The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) share a common purpose, namely, prevention of healthcare associated infections and other adverse events. APIC is well positioned to promote, advance and achieve this shared purpose through its 115 chapters and 18 corporate strategic partners. Objective: In 2008 APIC chapter 15, Delaware Valley-Philadelphia sought to change its quarterly membership meetings to focused professional development program meetings. Topics and activities would be selected to directly assist members successfully achieve (in their organizations) the national infection prevention priorities of APIC, CDC and SHEA, as well as meet regulatory standards. Methods: Professional development program goals for 2008-2009 were established by the membership and included: 1) identify a theme for each meeting align with national infection prevention priorities, 2) partner with APIC, APIC strategic partners, CDC and SHEA to sponsor meetings and identify speakers, 3) network with surrounding geographic chapters by inviting them to selected programs, 4) promote active program participation through member-lead panels on methods to successfully achieve infection prevention, 5) implement program evaluations and, 6) support participation at national meetings. Results: Between March 2008 and November 2009 seven full-day programs were conducted with an average attendance of 55 members. Themes included, the Regulatory Components of Infection Prevention, Creating the Business Case, Measurement, Targeting Zero and 21st Century Leadership. Speakers were from CDC, APIC and SHEA were well represented. In 2009, the 3M Corporation sponsored the Business Case program. The evaluations are consistently excellent. The member-lead panels were rated extremely valuable. In September 2009 the chapter placed a call for proposals to members for scholarship application to attend the Fifth Decennial International Conference on Healthcare Associated Infections in 2010. Conclusions: Chapter 15 membership meetings have evolved to professional development programs tightly aligned to helping the members meet the shared common purpose of APIC, APIC's strategic partners, CDC and SHEA. The majority of members do not have the time and resources to attend national meetings to network with, and hear from national experts in the field. Chapter 15 is attempting to bring the experts to the members.