International Infection Control Internship Fruitful for Both Student and Hospital

Abstract

ISSUE: Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) is a for-profit 50-bed hospital in Beijing, China, with the goal of being the first hospital in China to receive Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA). This abstract describes the lessons learned from the first international infection control (IC) internship between BJU and The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHUSON). PROJECT: To improve IC and patient safety and to facilitate obtaining JCIA through a 3-week internship of an infection control practitioner (ICP)/doctoral student from JHUSON. RESULT: The ICP completed an evidenced-based (EB) strategic infection control plan, including initiation of surgical site surveillance, a review of JCIA standards with recommendations for improvement across disciplines and departments, a 2-day workshop on IC principles for nursing staff, and on-the-job training of the BJU ICP. Improvements in sterile processing of endoscopes were made by introducing EB guidelines and thorough documentation. The availability of alcohol gel was increased and sharps containers were added to all patient rooms. Consultation was provided on construction of a pediatric clinic separating sick and well children into different waiting areas. The screening and isolation procedures during the re-emergence of SARS in China were observed. Visits to traditional Chinese hospitals provided a unique comparison with IC in Western-based hospitals in China. LESSONS LEARNED: BJU staff readily accepted EB practices but will need improved access to appropriate evidence through international infection control organizations. Simple interventions can improve patient/employee safety, and even brief international IC internships are effective, but further studies are needed to address sustainable impact. International IC collaborations are necessary to disseminate accurate, EB guidelines, and practices. The impact of such collaboration toward improving infection control worldwide cannot be overstated.