The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology gave seven infection preventionists its Heroes of Infection Prevention Award in recognition of their work to reduce infection, improve health and well-being of patients and healthcare workers and raise awareness.
Five of the winners were recognized for their individual achievements, and two were recognized for their work as a team. Find the breakdown below.
Mary Jo Bellush, MSN. Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital (Greensburg, Pa.). Category: Process and systems improvement.
Katie Cary. Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center (Denver). Category: Advocacy and influence.
Christina Ewers, MSN, RN. Lutheran Medical Center (Denver). Category: Patient safety.
Jamie Swift, BSN, RN. Mountain State Health Alliance (Johnson City, Tenn.). Category: Advocacy and Influence.
Angela Rupp. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital (Chicago) and Elaine Whaley, MSN, RN. Texas Children's Hospital (Houston). Category: Patient safety (team win).
Dignity Health Infection Prevention Team (Northridge, Calif.). Category: Process and systems improvement.
"Our 2017 heroes have advocated for process and systems improvement, developed new strategies to prevent infection and successfully collaborated with others in their field to advance the science of infection prevention," Linda Greene, RN, president of APIC, said in a press release. "We celebrate their efforts and commitment to patient safety."