Navigating Infection Control Processes in a COVID-19 Only Safety-Net Hospital at the Height of the Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infection Control
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to hospital operations, impacting both patient care and regulatory compliance.
• Routine infection control practices were significantly disrupted, necessitating rapid adaptation within healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on infection control practices in a small independent hospital.
• To analyze the challenges faced by infection control personnel during the pandemic using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interview study with 13 infection control professionals.
• Analysis of interview data using the SEIPS model as a theoretical framework.

Main Results:

• The pandemic displaced established infection control practices and protocols.
• Increased demands for regulatory reporting became burdensome and carried punitive consequences for delays.
• Clinical activities were modified in response to the evolving pandemic situation.

Conclusions:

• Hospitals require strategies to manage increased risks of healthcare-associated infections.
• Digital tools and a trained informatics workforce can streamline and automate infection control processes, alleviating burdens and improving efficiency.