Nursing

News spotlight: Recession decreases hospital infection prevention resources

Nurse Leader Weekly, June 15, 2009

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Slimmer budgets have led to trimmer infection prevention staff and resources in several U.S. hospitals, reports the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

According to a study released last week that was conducted among almost 2,000 APIC members, 41% reported reductions in infection prevention budgets during the last 18 months. The findings, which were garnered in March through an online survey, identified the cuts were made to technology, products, equipment, education, and staff.

Study findings also indicated that as a result infection prevention departments are short-staffed. About two-thirds of respondents cited one or less than one full-time equivalent position devoted to infection prevention efforts at their facilities. Almost 90% noted having zero or less than one full-time equivalent for clerical or analytic support.

The APIC expressed concerns about the reductions, as they may detract from hospitals' abilities to identify, monitor, and manage infections, such as those that are hospital-acquired and in relation to the H1N1 virus.

Source: APIC



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