🍁 October Insights for Infection Preventionists: Prepare, Prevent, and Prioritize
- Missy Travis MSN RN CIC FAPIC
- Oct 31
- 2 min read
As the weather cools and flu season approaches, October is the perfect time to refocus, refresh, and reinforce your infection prevention strategies.
This month, our theme has been all about Winter Preparation — from managing your time more effectively to preventing staff fatigue, ensuring inspection readiness, and keeping your facility ahead of seasonal infection risks.
Here are the key takeaways from this month’s infection prevention focus ⬇️
🕒 Take Back Your Time
The winter season is one of the busiest times for Infection Preventionists, and time management can make all the difference.
When I first started in infection prevention, managing my time was one of my biggest challenges! It all starts by identifying where your time is going and how to make the most of it.
5 Steps to a Better Schedule:
Track everything for one week — meetings, rounding, and even breaks.
Categorize tasks (surveillance, meetings, education, etc.).
Identify where your time drains occur.
Compare time spent vs. task importance.
Set priorities — delegate or eliminate what doesn’t align.
😷 Strengthen Your Winter Readiness
With winter on the way, two priorities should be at the top of every IP’s list: hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene.
Even one sick staff member or visitor can set off a chain reaction, so proactive preparation is key.
5 Ways to Stay Ahead:
Review outbreak and staffing contingency plans.
Check PPE and cleaning supply levels.
Encourage flexible staffing for sick days.
Refresh training on emergency protocols.
Prioritize time management to handle disruptions.🌬️
💪 Beat Complacency
After long periods of heightened alertness—like during the pandemic—staff fatigue can creep in, and complacency can follow. Refocusing on the fundamentals helps maintain high standards and consistent compliance.
Try These Team Boosters:
Acknowledge good work with praise or small rewards.
Address lapses respectfully and constructively.
Hold brief team huddles for daily communication.
Engage patients/residents on hand hygiene expectations.
Share performance data regularly to sustain motivation.
Small actions can lead to big improvements in infection prevention culture.
🧾 Inspection Ready!
Whether you’re preparing for The Joint Commission, CMS, or a state survey, organization and confidence are your best assets.
5 Keys to a Smooth Inspection:
Gather all relevant guidance and create a checklist.
Keep documents organized and easily accessible.
Stay calm and professional on inspection day.
Be courteous and cooperative.
Provide only what’s requested — clarity over quantity!
Being prepared reduces stress and shows your facility’s commitment to patient safety and quality.
💡 Final Thought
As we head into winter, take a moment to reflect on your systems—your time, your team, and your readiness. With thoughtful preparation, you’ll lead your program with confidence and control through the busy months ahead. If you’d like support reviewing or strengthening your infection prevention program, I’m here to help.
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About IP&C Consulting At IP&C Consulting, I help healthcare organizations and infection preventionists strengthen their programs through consulting, education, and coaching. Learn more about my services here.
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