Assessing Infection Prevention Staffing and Resource Allocation Across Single and Multi-Facility Hospitals: A Comparative Analysis
Author(s)
Lucas Philip, PharmD1, Patrick Moeller, MPH2, Scott Keith, PhD2, Vittorio Maio, MS, MSPH, PharmD2, Raegan Davis, MA2, Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, FACE3.
1Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 3Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA.
1Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 3Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA.
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate staffing levels, resource distribution, and infection prevention control (IPC) activities in free-standing versus multi-facility hospitals, identifying significant disparities to inform policy and operational improvements.
METHODS: A survey was electronically distributed to all US hospitals participating in the National Healthcare Safety Network from August to December 2023. Data were collected on IPC department characteristics, staffing levels, and time allocation across activities. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables of interest. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon rank-sum tests comparing median values and interquartile ranges (IQR) of numeric variables and chi-square tests of independence for categorical variables, focusing on proportions of zeroes between free-standing and multi-facility hospitals.
RESULTS: A total of 901 hospitals participated in the survey. The majority were multi-facility organizations (n = 554). Compared to free-standing hospitals, multi-facility hospitals reported higher median IPC personnel counts (3.0 vs.1.0; p<0.001) and full-time equivalents (2.4 vs. 1.0; p<0.001). However, the proportion of Certified Infection Preventionists (CIC) was greater in free-standing hospitals compared to multi-facility hospitals (46.5% vs. 17.8%; p<0.001). IPs in multi-facility hospitals allocated more time to antimicrobial stewardship (5.0% vs. 2.0%; p<0.001) and employee health (5.0% vs. 3.0%; p<0.001). Free-standing hospitals demonstrated higher percentages of zero-count roles in administrative and statistical support, emphasizing a potential lack of resources. IPC departments in multi-facility hospitals supported more acute care and critical care beds than those in Free-standing hospitals. Leadership support for IPC goals was higher in multi-facility hospitals, although workload challenges impacting quality were noted in both settings.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights disparities in IPC staffing, activities, and resources between free-standing and multi-facility hospitals. Multi-facility hospitals benefit from higher staffing levels and IPC engagement, while free-standing hospitals face significant constraints in support roles. These findings underscore the need for tailored strategies addressing resource gaps and optimizing infection prevention efforts across diverse hospital settings.
METHODS: A survey was electronically distributed to all US hospitals participating in the National Healthcare Safety Network from August to December 2023. Data were collected on IPC department characteristics, staffing levels, and time allocation across activities. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables of interest. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon rank-sum tests comparing median values and interquartile ranges (IQR) of numeric variables and chi-square tests of independence for categorical variables, focusing on proportions of zeroes between free-standing and multi-facility hospitals.
RESULTS: A total of 901 hospitals participated in the survey. The majority were multi-facility organizations (n = 554). Compared to free-standing hospitals, multi-facility hospitals reported higher median IPC personnel counts (3.0 vs.1.0; p<0.001) and full-time equivalents (2.4 vs. 1.0; p<0.001). However, the proportion of Certified Infection Preventionists (CIC) was greater in free-standing hospitals compared to multi-facility hospitals (46.5% vs. 17.8%; p<0.001). IPs in multi-facility hospitals allocated more time to antimicrobial stewardship (5.0% vs. 2.0%; p<0.001) and employee health (5.0% vs. 3.0%; p<0.001). Free-standing hospitals demonstrated higher percentages of zero-count roles in administrative and statistical support, emphasizing a potential lack of resources. IPC departments in multi-facility hospitals supported more acute care and critical care beds than those in Free-standing hospitals. Leadership support for IPC goals was higher in multi-facility hospitals, although workload challenges impacting quality were noted in both settings.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights disparities in IPC staffing, activities, and resources between free-standing and multi-facility hospitals. Multi-facility hospitals benefit from higher staffing levels and IPC engagement, while free-standing hospitals face significant constraints in support roles. These findings underscore the need for tailored strategies addressing resource gaps and optimizing infection prevention efforts across diverse hospital settings.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
HSD106
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
SDC: Infectious Disease (non-vaccine)