Education and Research Flashcards

An ICP wants to determine whether a new decontamination protocol caused a reduction in CLABSI rates. Which type of study design is MOST feasible in a hospital setting?

Answer: Quasi-experimental before-and-after study

Quasi-experimental before-and-after studies are practical and commonly used in healthcare settings to evaluate the impact of infection prevention interventions.

When calculating a surgical site infection (SSI) rate, what is used as the denominator?

Answer: Total surgical procedures performed

SSI rates are calculated per 100 surgical procedures, making the number of procedures the correct denominator.

Which educational strategy is MOST effective for changing deeply ingrained infection prevention behaviors among healthcare workers?

Answer: Multimodal education with ongoing feedback

Multimodal education combined with ongoing performance feedback is the most effective strategy for sustained behavioral change.

A p-value of 0.03 in an infection prevention study means:

Answer: There is a 3% probability of observing the result if the null hypothesis is true

A p-value represents the probability of obtaining results at least as extreme as observed, assuming the null hypothesis is true.

Which competency framework is most commonly referenced when developing infection preventionist training programs in the US?

Answer: APIC Competency Model

The APIC Competency Model provides the foundational framework for defining and evaluating infection preventionist knowledge, skills, and abilities.

When conducting a root cause analysis (RCA) of a healthcare-associated infection outbreak, what is the PRIMARY goal?

Answer: Identify system failures contributing to the outbreak

RCA is a systems-focused process designed to identify underlying system failures rather than assign individual blame.

Which format is MOST appropriate for delivering infection prevention education to a geographically dispersed healthcare workforce?

Answer: Asynchronous e-learning modules

Asynchronous e-learning modules allow geographically dispersed staff to access training at their convenience without requiring simultaneous attendance.