Survey said! LTC-CIP certificant's perspective with passing the certification exam

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infection Control
• Long-Term Care

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical infection prevention and control (IPC) needs in long-term care (LTC) facilities.
• The LTC Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) exam was introduced in 2023 to validate IPC program management expertise.
• Assessing the impact of this certification on IPC practices and outcomes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the LTC-CIP certification on certificants' IPC practices.
• To assess the influence of certification on IPC programs within LTC facilities.
• To examine the personal and professional development experienced by certified IPC professionals.

Main Methods:

• An electronic survey was administered to all LTC-CIP certificants in March 2024.
• Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the collected survey data.
• The study achieved a 17% response rate, with 80 responses analyzed.

Main Results:

• Certification led to improved IPC best practice implementation, enhanced knowledge, and increased confidence.
• Certificants reported more effective IPC programs, better staff compliance, and greater leadership influence.
• Reported benefits included lower infection rates, improved antimicrobial stewardship, and enhanced vaccine adherence.

Conclusions:

• LTC-CIP certification motivates professionals to advance IPC knowledge and application in LTC settings.
• The certification is associated with reported improvements in resident and staff health outcomes.
• Further research is recommended to validate findings with objective data and explore long-term effects.