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Nursing advocates: Passionate about prevention

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, November 7, 2006

To exemplify Force 7: Quality Improvement, the Infection Prevention Department at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City, an ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® designated facility since 2005, created an avenue for direct care nurses to be involved in the quality improvement process. Michele Barr, RN, BSN, and Jennifer Perry, RN, BSN, CIC conducted an eight-hour Infection Prevention 101 training for nurses whose managers had identified as having an interest in infection prevention.

The direct care nurses were given reference materials and audit tools to use on their units. The nurses, known as Infection Prevention Advocates, assist with disseminating infection prevention information, conducting hand hygiene audits, and acting as an extra set of eyes for Infection Prevention Practitioners. The Infection Prevention Advocates notify Infection Prevention of any issues they notice. "This has been a great way to get direct care nurses involved in the quality improvement process," says Kay Lee Allen, BS, RN, Magnet Recognition Program project coordinator at Mercy Health. She adds that their actions lead to results that increase the quality care provided throughout the facility.

The Infection Prevention Advocates meet monthly with the Infection Prevention department to discuss issues and opportunities they have identified from their units. Reports are distributed and reviewed, and information is given to the advocates for discussion in their unit's monthly staff meetings.

Source: Kay Lee Allen, BS, RN

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