Infection Prevention RN Skills Checklist

Answer Key

1. No Experience 2. Requires Supervision 3. Proficient 4. Can Teach Others

AGE OF PATIENTS CARED FOR:

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Newborn/Neonate (birth to 30 days)
Infant (1 month to 1 year)
Toddler (1 year to 3 years)
Preschooler (3 years to 5 years)
School Age Child (5 years to 12 years)
Adolescents (12 years to 18 years)
Young Adults (18 years to 39 years)
Middle Adults (39 years to 64 years)
Older Adults (64 years to 79 years)
Elderly Adults (over 79+ years)

GENERAL SKILLS:

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Standard Precautions
Isolation Precautions
Patient and Family Education
CMS Regulations
DNV Regulations
APIC Regulations
CDC Regulations
Electronic Documentation

PRACTICE SETINGS:

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Acute Care
Long-Term Care
Health Department/Other Agency

GENERAL:

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Knowledge of MDROs
Knowledge of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to infection control
Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the infection control profram of the facility
Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, coordinate, and direct infection control program in accordance with current rules, regulations and guidelines
Possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., that are necessary for preventing and controlling infections, toinclude the establishing of universal precautions
Seek out new methods and principles and incorporate them into existing nursing practices
Serve on, participate in, and attend Infection Control Committee
Understanding of nosocomial infection definitions, chart review, functional understanding of sterilization, disinfections, and sanitation
Basic understanding and use of microbiology and epidemiology principles, statistical presentation, outbreak investigation techiniques, and computer use
Adult teaching techniques, clear oral and written communication skills, project management, and policy management
Working knowledge of OSHA Blood-Borne Pathogen Standards, OSHA Tuberculosis Protection, Title 22, state and federal laws related to communicable diseases, and JCAHO Standards

SURVEILLANCE:

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Identify and monitor specified nosocomial infections
Perform/assist with investigations of possible communicable disease exposures among healthcare workers, patients, and/or visitors
Collect, monitor, and maintain records and data pertinent to surveillance utilizing Center for Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation, and investigation techniques
Conduct rounds to nursing units and hospital department for the purpose of monitoring isolation precautions/practices
Develop and implement a practical system of detecting, evaluating, recording, and reporting infections which originate with facility personnel
Ensure that all personnel follow established procedures for the disposal and removal of infected and contaminated materials from the facility
Make rounds of hospital units for the purpose of case definition, monitoring of infection control practices, and other related patient care issues
Monitor infection control practices and procedures to ensure that all personnel are implementing standard operating procedures for tasks involving exposure to bloody/body fluids
Monitor for compliance with federal and state laws regarding Infection Control issues such as medical wastes, chemicals in the workplace, and infectious disease exposures, and OSHA, CalOsh, and NIOSH standards related to blood-borne pathogens and respiratory pathogens
Participate in performance improvement projects related to communicable diseases and emerging pathogens within the facility
Perform targeted surveillance and outbreak investigations
Perform/assist with investigation of clustors or outbreaks of infections or colonization
Perform/assist with tracing the possible sources of infection or transmission of microorganisms

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION:

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Assist in identifying epidemiologically important issues so that appropriate plans for action can be designed, including Surveillance, Outbreak Investigations, and Performance Improvement Projects
Identify and report communicable diseases as required by the state and the local health authority, for example, TB, AIDS, and other current public health issues
Prepare monthly summaries of all infections, corrective action taken, and the results of the corrective action
Prepare summaries of special investigations of the occurance of nosocomial and community-acquired infections
Provide a report of pertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to nosocomial infections
Provide information relative to TB assessment and make recommendations concerning the protocols to follow in isolating TB cases
Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents
Understand the transmission of infections and assist in the reduction of risk among patients, facility staff, volunteers, students, and visitors

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

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Develop, maintain, and periodically update infection control precautions and aseptic techniques that successfully correct problem areas
Draft the hospitals Infection Control Plan and annually review, evaluate, and update plan based upon surveillance data findings
Draft, review, and evaluate Infection Control policies/practices associated with infection control
Ensure the facility is in compliance with current CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning infection control and universal precautions
Interpret infection control policies and procedures as necessary
Make recommendations utilizing professional guidelines (CDC, APIC, etc.) to comply with regulatory and accrediting agencies, such as federal, state, and local health agencies, and the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. Update policies, practices, and the Infection Control Plan to reflect and meet any required changes
Participate in development of antibiotic protocols

COORDINATION:

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Act as department liaison for Infection Control and as consultant for the facility to integrate Infection Control activites
Assist Housekeeping Services in developing infection control procedures for the routine and terminal cleaning of isolation rooms and areas and equipment cleaning
Assist in developing and implementing guidelines for decontamination and sterilization activities
Assist in evaluating and implementing recommendations from the Infection Control Committee
Assist Laundry Services in developing infection control procedures for the handling of clean and soiled laundry/linen and equipment cleaning
Assist the Discharge Planning Coordinator in developing and implementing discharge plans for patients/clients in isolation or on infection control precautions
Assist the Infection Control Committee in evaluating and revising infection control practices and aseptic techniques to ensure continued sanitation practices are maintained
Assist in planning with other departments and personnel to reduce the risk of disease transmission and improve infection control practices

EDUCATION:

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Assist in developing OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood-borne pathogens standards
Assist the personnel director in developing and implementing and employee health services program, including individual counseling as outlined in infection control and the employee health program
Develop a training program for all personnel required to perform tasks involving expsure to blood/body fluids
Develop, implement, and conduct in-service training programs relative to infection control
Orient new employees to the importance of infection control policies and procedures, personal hygiene, and handwashing techniques, as well as the employee's responsbility to follow established procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids
Provide personnel with information concerning the facility's policies governing hepatits B vaccinations

PATIENT CARE:

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Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of a plan of care for patients/clients in isolation or on infection control precautions that identifies the problems/needs of the patients/clients
Ensure that patients/clients with known communicable or infectious diseases are placed in isolation or on infection control precautions to include universal precautions
Interview patients/clients or family members and explain isolation and universal precautions as necessary
Review and analyze infectious disease laboratory reports and consult with Nursing Services in developing a care plan, ensuring that aseptic techniques are implemented
Review nurses' notes of patients/clients in/on isolation precautions to ensure that they are information and descriptive of the nursing care being provided and that they reflect the patient's and/or client's response to the care
Visit isolated patients/clients as necessary to ensure that established isolation precautions and aseptic techniques are followed

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION:

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Administer IM and SQ
Administer PO
Administer IV
Needleless Systems

THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS:

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Antibiotic Usage
Antimicrobial Protocols
Central Line Bundles

PERFORM:

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Isolation
Collect Data
Statistical Collation
Educate Staff
Develop and Make Presentations
Write Policies
Develop Protocols
Conduct Continuous Surveillance
Donning PPE
Doffing PPE

SPECIMAN COLLECTION::

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Butterfly Stick
Central Line Draw
Clean Catch Urine
Cultures-Blood
Urine Dipstick
Finger Stick
Stool
Sputum
Sterile Urine

Undertaking

Name

Date