Tenet Healthcare
Infection Preventionist RN Epidemiology RN (Healthcare)
A Bright and Promising Future
Between 2012 and 2016, DMC invested $77 million in Sinai-Grace over three phases of construction, making it the largest construction project in Northwest Detroit in over 10 years. Phase I of the project was completed in 2014 and resulted in a new 59,000 square foot Emergency Department and Trauma Center that tripled the size of the former ER and features all-private patient rooms. Phase II was completed in February 2015 and produced two new technologically-advanced, family-centered Intensive Care Units. Phase III resulted in a modern and bright new entrance, expansive 18,000 square foot lobby, new roomy registration suite, and expanded radiology area which all opened in June 2015. Phase III was completed in January 2016 with the opening of the new and expanded laboratory.
Since this major construction project completed in early 2016, Sinai-Grace has continued to invest in the hospital's facility with renovated patient care units, cath lab and advanced surgical technology.
Under functional guidance of the Epidemiology Manager, participates in the development, education and maintenance of the DMC Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology programs. Responsibilities include surveillance utilizing epidemiological principles, infection prevention and control, and quality improvement in an effort to ensure high quality cost-effective health care and prevention of healthcare associated infections. Distributes findings from surveillance and other activities, policies/procedures, and regulatory guidelines and makes recommendations to appropriate individuals, committees, departments and units. Monitors appropriate implementation of isolation protocol and communicates with staff as appropriate. Assists with outbreak investigations in collaboration with the Epidemiology Manager and Corporate Director, Epidemiology; participates in the analysis for deviation from baseline standards. Acts as a hospital liaison with state and local health departments and other health care facilities by reporting and investigating communicable diseases. Collaborates with Occupational Health in exposure investigations and work restrictions. Consults with all departments on infection control issues and conducts education to staff as required to facilitate improved practice for patient safety. Specific education includes, but is not limited to, orientation to infection prevention and control, aseptic technique, standard and transmission based precautions, immunization, sharps injury prevention, hand hygiene, and equipment and environmental cleaning/disinfection/sterilization. Represents Epidemiology on related committees as assigned and acts as a resource for a safe environment including recommendations to problems impacting the safety of the Environment of Care for patients, personnel and visitors. Initiates continuous improvement programs related to infection prevention and control with respective physicians and healthcare workers as appropriate.