Infection preventionists in public health, consultant and academic roles: Results from the 2020 APIC MegaSurvey

BACKGROUND

Infection preventionists (IPs) work and practice in a variety of roles across many practice settings. While the health care-based IP role has been well studied, less is known about IPs who work in public health, consultant, and academic roles.

METHODS

Data were collected as a subset of the Association for Professionals in Infection Prevention and Control and Epidemiology 2020 MegaSurvey. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed to compare the responses of 147 IPs working in public health, consulting, or academic roles.

RESULTS

Respondents identified their primary IP role as public health (40%), consulting (39%), or academic (21%). Most were White and non-Hispanic females working in long-term care, acute care, and outpatient settings. Most had over 11 years of experience in health care before IP, with nursing being the most common. More consultants were certified in infection control (74%). While half of the respondents in public health reported being certified in infection control, and a third had 6 or more years of experience in infection prevention and control, they reported the lowest annual salary and satisfaction with total compensation.

DISCUSSION

These findings highlight the characteristics and contributions of infection prevention and control in nontraditional roles and settings. Certification and fair compensation are crucial factors for professional development and job satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

These insights can guide future education, recruitment, and retention strategies for IPs in public health, consulting, and academic roles.

The master of public health graduate as infection preventionist:Navigating the changing landscape of infection prevention

Infection prevention is a rapidly changing field with regulatory requirements and emerging global public health threats. Infection preventionists (IPs) must use advanced epidemiologic skills for health care-associated infection investigation and prevention. A potential talent pool for IPs is the Master of Public Health graduate. Those hiring IPs should consider master of public health graduates as candidates who can help drive the future of this profession.

Infection prevention needs assessment in Colorado hospitals: rural and urban settings

BACKGROUND

The purpose of our study was to conduct a needs assessment for infection prevention programs in both rural and urban hospitals in Colorado.

METHODS

Infection control professionals (ICPs) from Colorado hospitals participated in an online survey on training, personnel, and experience; ICP time allocation; and types of surveillance. Responses were evaluated and compared based on hospital status (rural or urban). Additionally, rural ICPs participated in an interview about resources and training.

RESULTS

Surveys were received from 62 hospitals (77.5% response); 33 rural (75.0% response) and 29 urban (80.6% response). Fifty-two percent of rural ICPs reported multiple job responsibilities compared with 17.2% of urban ICPs. Median length of experience for rural ICPs was 4.0 years compared with 11.5 years for urban ICPs (P = .008). Fifty-one percent of rural ICPs reported no access to infectious disease physicians (0.0% urban) and 81.8% of rural hospitals reported no antimicrobial stewardship programs (31.0% urban). Through the interviews it was revealed that priorities for rural ICPs were training and communication.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed numerous differences between infection prevention programs in rural versus urban hospitals. An infection prevention outreach program established in Colorado could potentially address the challenges faced by rural hospital infection prevention departments.

Is there a place for e-learning in infection prevention?

BACKGROUND

In the last few decades, e-learning, a method which integrates information technology and the learning process by using materials delivered through the internet, has become widely used in educational initiatives for healthcare professionals.

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether there is a place for e-learning in the field of infection prevention.

METHODS

Non-comprehensive review of the literature.

FINDINGS

E-learning courses in the field of infection prevention and control are still scarce, often restricted to local initiatives and not specifically directed toward critical care providers. Although methodological flaws and potential biases hamper the generalizability of results from some currently available studies, findings related to both learners' satisfaction and effectiveness suggest that e-learning might prove an effective educational tool for the (continuing) education of healthcare providers. Further investigations, including research pertaining to the cost-effectiveness of e-learning, are required to provide a better insight in these issues.

CONCLUSION

Further research is required to determine the (cost)effectiveness of e-learning in general, and in the field of infection prevention and control in particular. Current insights suggest that e-learning should be based Web 2.0 technologies to address a wide range of learning styles and to optimize interactivity. As a gap in the literature was detected with respect to e-learning modules on infection prevention and control which are specifically oriented toward critical care providers, it can be recommended to promote the development and subsequent assessment of such tools that meet high-quality standards.

[Expectations of infection control doctors in small and middle-sized hospitals]

In Japan, medical facilities have been requested to enforce a plan for hospital infection prevention, and Infection Control Doctor (ICD) as a qualification is drawing attention. The council for ICDs consists of 22 academic societies and has been closely investigating infectious diseases since 1999. This council has been authorizing ICDs (the number of ICDs was 5,750 in 2009) and holding more than 15 seminars per year to improve their effectiveness. Emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza and also epidemics of multi-drug-resistant pathogens may markedly impact Japan in the future. Therefore, ICDs are expected to become widespread. From now on, the council for ICDs should help improve infection control education by taking a leading role, together with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical technologists.

Creating a mentoring culture to connect and empower new ICPs, part one

This article discusses how to empower new ICPs by creating a mentoring culture. A brief history of mentoring is provided along with rationale for why mentoring is so critical in today's healthcare environment. Mentorship is contrasted and compared with preceptorship and coaching to elucidate those elements that are distinct to mentoring. The characteristics of an effective mentor, benefits of mentoring and phases of a mentoring relationship are described. Finally, the potential flashpoints that can occur in a mentoring relationship are reviewed. In the current healthcare environment, the growth and development of infection prevention and control professionals (ICPs) is essential to maintain quality outcomes. As provincial governments move to mandatory reporting of patient indicators there will be an increased demand for these professionals at a time when supply is dwindling. While recruitment into the profession is important, retaining experienced ICPs is also an issue. The purpose of this article is to discuss why mentoring in infection prevention and control (IPAC) matters, to identify what mentoring is and is not, and to present information on empowering staff through mentoring relationships.

Infection prevention and control competencies for hospital-based health care personnel

Background

Infection prevention and control education for hospital-based health care personnel has differed across organizations because of a lack of identified practice competencies. This gap also has resulted in variation of the educational curriculum in the academic setting and a lack of consistent preparation for emergency responses. The purpose of this study was to develop a list of competencies and measurable activities, or terminal objectives, for hospital-based health care personnel applicable for use during routine patient care activities as well as during natural and man-made disasters.

Methods

Competencies and terminal objectives related to infection prevention and control were developed using an evidence-based approach comprising the following steps: (a) review of the literature, (b) review of existing competencies and published curricula/training objectives, (c) synthesis of new competencies and terminal objectives, (d) expert panel review and competency refinement using the Delphi survey process, and (e) delineation of competencies by occupation. The 8 disciplines addressed were nurses (RNs and LPNs), nursing assistants, physicians, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, environmental services, laboratory professionals, and ancillary staff.

Results

An initial list of competency statements and terminal objectives were compiled and then vetted by a Delphi panel of experts in infection prevention and control until > 80% agreement was achieved on all competency statements and terminal objectives.

Conclusion

The final matrix of competencies and terminal objectives developed through this process may be used as a content framework for educational curricula and training materials for hospital-based health care personnel. The process also may be of use in determining the core competencies and terminal objectives regarding infection prevention and control for health care personnel in other settings. Validation of these results is an important next step.

Antibiotic stewardship programs curb resistance

Antibiotic stewardship programs gain favor in fight against HAIs. PharmD intervention with medical staff crucial. Educate doctors about antibiotic choices.

[Discourses and practices in the sanatoriums for tuberculosis sufferers in the province of Cordoba. 1910-1947]

Tuberculosis was a stigmatized disease, with a strong social meaning developed by medicine itself. In this paper, we make an analysis of the medical conceptions about the disease, and their repercussions on patients in a special place such as tuberculosis sanatoriums. In the first place, we enumerate the sanatoriums in the province of Cordoba, after that, we study the medical views about the sanatoriums and the infection, as a central element for hospitalized patients with tuberculosis. Later, we analyze the myths generated around the disease, and finally, we try to understand how these myths made possible to create a particular social group within those sanatoriums.

Reading habits of infection control coordinators in the United States: peer-reviewed or non-peer-reviewed evidence?

BACKGROUND

Because evidence-based health care is taking on increasing importance, we surveyed a national sample of infection control coordinators on their reading habits to discern which and how often various media are utilized.

METHODS

Infection control coordinators at 797 hospitals in the United States were mailed a survey asking which peer-reviewed journals and other publications they subscribe to, their perception of the quality of the infection control articles provided by each, and the extent to which they use various resources for their work.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 74%. Infection control coordinators spend a mean of 3.6 hours/week reading journals or periodicals. Resources identified as most useful included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site (52%), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (APIC) text (11%), and the APIC e-mail list (8%). Proportion of subscribers was highest for the American Journal of Infection Control (84%) and Infection Control Today (72%). The top 3 journals ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 for quality of infection control articles were Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (8.0), the American Journal of Infection Control (7.5), and the New England Journal of Medicine (7.4). The American Journal of Infection Control (85%) and Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (72%) were the most frequently used peer-reviewed sources of information, whereas Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (85%) and Hospital Infection Control (63%) ranked at the top for non-peer-reviewed periodicals.

CONCLUSION

Infection control coordinators devote limited time to reading and critically appraising published evidence and rely heavily on sources that provide rapid access to information or evidence summaries, suggesting a growing need for easy-to-read, reliable sources of information about evidence-based infection prevention and control practices.

A process evaluation of an intervention to improve respiratory infection control practices in family physician offices

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a process evaluation of a short-term intervention by public nurses for physicians to facilitate the incorporation of new respiratory infection control practices in physicians' offices.

DESIGN

Process evaluation.

SETTING

Family physician offices in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

Five public health nurse-facilitators and 53 primary care practices including 143 family physicians.

METHOD

Effectiveness of facilitator training assessed by self-administered questionnaires. Data assessing process of facilitation collected through activity logs and narrative reports. Physicians' satisfaction assessed by post-intervention questionnaire.

MAIN FINDINGS

Facilitators reported that training strongly contributed to their knowledge and skills and all were either satisfied or highly satisfied with their facilitation training. All practices received at least two visits by the facilitator and more than half (51%) were visited three or more times. Facilitators identified the provision of the evidence-based Tool Kit and consensus-building with office staff as key factors contributing to the intervention's success. Of the 45% of physicians who completed the questionnaire (65/143), only 5% reported being somewhat dissatisfied with the intervention, 11% reported the visits were not frequent enough, and 9% thought the visits were too close together. The majority (97%) felt the facilitation program should be available to all family physicians and 98% would continue to use the service if available.

CONCLUSIONS

It is feasible for public health nurses to be trained in outreach facilitation to improve respiratory infection control practices in physicians' offices and this has been widely appreciated by physicians. This model of public health/primary care collaboration deserves further exploration.

Diploma in Hospital Infection Control—important changes to the accreditation of prior experiental learning and update

The Diploma in Hospital Infection Control (DipHIC) was established by the Hospital Infection Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Public Health Laboratory Service (now the Health Protection Agency) in 1997. We outline important changes to the assessment of eligibility for the DipHIC by accreditation of prior experiental learning, provide a web link to examples of reflections, and list all those who have been awarded the DipHIC by the various routes.

Evaluation of a training course in infection control for nurses

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a training course in infection control for nurses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A quasi-experimental study was performed from November 1, 2001 to December 31, 2002. The study was divided into three phases; 1) pre-intervention (November 1-30, 2001) to survey baseline data among participants, 2) intervention (January 1-31, 2002) to establish, develop and conduct the training course, 3) post-intervention (February 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002) to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program, and conduct a workshop for infection control project presentations. The research instruments consisted of questionaires and a focus group discussion guide.

RESULTS

Forty-six nurses who had experience of working as infection control nurses (ICN) for more than one year and 46 hospital administrators were enrolled in the pre-interventional phase. Major problems identified among ICNs were inadequate knowledge, multiple simultaneous job descriptions, overwork and lack of collaboration from colleagues. After intervention, significant improvement was observed on their knowledge and confidence among ICNs (rating scale, 4.09 vs. 3.43; p< 0.001). All administrators agreed that the training course was beneficial to ICNs and believed that the problems in practices of IC would be solved. More satisfaction of ICNs among hospital administrators was also observed (97.7% vs. 28.3%; p< 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The present study suggested that the training course to provide practical knowledge for ICNs be effective and should be conducted periodically to keep up with the advance in medical technology. An ICN network with other academic institutions should be established.

Program on nosocomial infection in the curricula of medicine, dentistry, nursing and medical technology in Thailand

OBJECTIVES

To identify defects in the program on NI in curricula of medical, dental, medical technology and nursing schools. Impacts of the results of the study on the changes of the program were also evaluated

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Questionnaires study of all 12, 8, 9 medical, dental, medical technology and 20 of 62 nursing schools. Data were collected and analyzed. Defects in the program of NI were identified and recommendation for improving was drafted in a workshop participated by curriculum directors and researchers. Results of the study were fedback to the schools enrolled. Changes of the program were later followed..

RESULTS

Program on NI was present in the curricula of 11 of 12 medical, some dental and medical technology but in none of the nursing schools. Education program varied in methods of teaching, hours and years of students. A few schools modified the program in their curricula by the results of the study and recommendation of a workshop participated in by researchers and program directors.

CONCLUSION

Program on NI in the curricula of medical, dental, medical technology and nursing schools in Thailand varied in education methods, teaching hours and in student years. The present study results had little impact on changing the program. An evidence-based program on NI in medical, dentistry, medical technology and nursing is urgently needed.

Quality of nosocomial infection control in Thailand

OBJECTIVE

To study the quality of nosocomial infection control with respect to structure and process.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Data collection by questionnaire and interview administrators and medical personnel in 57 hospitals in Thailand in 2002.

RESULTS

Nosocomial infection control was implemented in all 57 hospitals. In every hospital, there was an infection control committee (ICC) and at least 1 infection control nurse (ICN). The quality of ICNs regarding knowledge, skill and time available for infection control needed to be improved. Surveillance methods of NI were not appropriate in many hospitals. Doctors were not interested in NI control and supply of certain materials was not adequate. Lack of support and co-operation of doctors and nurses was found. Service of certain departments needed to be revised in over 50%. Doctors and nurses not directly involved in NI controlled were not satisfied with current practices.

CONCLUSION

Quality of NI control in Thailand has yet to be improved regarding structure and process. Better cooperation between NI control team and healthcare personnel needs to be developed.

Problems in the management of medical waste in Thailand

OBJECTIVES

To identify problems in the management of medical waste in Thailand for future development.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The study was done in 39 hospitals during June and July 2002 by interviewing medical personnel on knowledge and attitude in management of medical waste, observation of practice and checking the amount of medical waste in waste bags. Certain laboratory investigations were done in dustmen.

RESULTS

The amount of medical waste was 0.41 kilogram per bed per day. Problems identified were inadequate knowledge in management, improper practices, high incidence of sharp injury at work. Laboratory tests in dustmen showed evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in 3.4%, parasites and intestinal pathogens in stools 5.1% and positive for HBsAg in 8.5%.

CONCLUSION

Improper management of medical waste was present in all hospitals. Risks of exposure and incidence of infection related to the management were at concerned levels. Education and practice guidelines are needed.

Report of working group 2: healthcare needs in the organisation and management of infection

Clinical microbiology should have a physical presence, but not necessarily on-site diagnostic laboratory facilities, in each hospital to ensure a quality laboratory-based infection service and strong professional interaction with clinicians. The adoption of industrial practices and the introduction of new costly molecular techniques raise the possibility that non-microbiological functions of laboratory management could be left to management professionals. This remains highly controversial; the advantages must be contrasted with the potential to disrupt the traditional managerial responsibility of the microbiologist and the links between the laboratory and clinical staff. Managers and healthcare professionals must resolve this issue, perhaps with the support of the ESCMID. Views varied, according to current professional arrangements and size of the laboratory and population served, on whether there should be a common laboratory for microbiology and other pathology disciplines with joint access to new high-technology techniques, or whether microbiology must continue as a separate facility. Clinical microbiology and infection control were viewed as core services that must be present even in smaller hospitals. Larger community hospitals and teaching centres require a full complement of expertise in laboratory and clinical practice. Integration of these disciplines within a department of infection is an emerging concept. A concern was the shortfall in trained expertise because of the ageing nature of current specialists. The importance of recruiting talented new graduates was emphasised. The importance of this topic led to a recommendation that an ESCMID working party be established to investigate the current arrangements of infection services in Europe and to make recommendations for the future organisation.

Development of core competencies for infection prevention and control

The Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA) has developed a robust framework for infection prevention and control practitioners to demonstrate their competence. This article describes the process of developing these competencies from the first edition (in two parts) to the integrated competencies and assessment framework, which may be useful to other specialist groups considering the development of competencies relevant to their area of interest. It describes how the competencies have been used and how they may be used in the future to accredit ICNA members.

Report of working group 3: Specialist training and continuing medical education/professional development in the infection disciplines

The European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) core curricula for training in infectious diseases and medical microbiology are adequate with the exception of one deficiency which is the absence of training in epidemiology, public health and infection control. Infectious disease curricula should include training in HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases. There is a need for a core curriculum in infection control. Infection control should have a basis in both medical microbiology and infectious diseases, and should become a specialty dealing with healthcare hygiene in hospitals, in outpatient clinics and also in institutions for the elderly. In the UK, a specialty training in infection is offered and includes internal medicine, clinical infectious diseases and medical microbiology for a total of 9 years. The UEMS should be contacted about the creation of a single specialty of infection, allowing for various degrees of sub-specialisation in infectious diseases or medical microbiology. It is unlikely that a European board examination validating the training of specialists will become a reality soon. Meanwhile, national systems should be created, documenting the content of the training and evaluating the quality of the training institutions. A medical specialist has a constant need for further education. This is generally a national matter, with requirements varying throughout Europe. It should be possible to accumulate continuing medical education/continuing professional development merits on a European level as well as on a national one. With the expansion of the European Union, it is important that the quality and content of specialist training can be verified and training curricula be harmonised. The UEMS should assist in this, in collaboration with scientific societies such as the ESCMID.

The training curriculum in hospital infection control

Standardised training curricula for infection control nurses (ICNs) and recognition of the specialty exist in many European countries, but infection control physician (ICP) is not a specialty recognised by the UEMS. To gather information on curricula for ICPs, members of the ESCMID Study Group on Nosocomial Infections received a questionnaire. There is discussion about which 'professions' should be included in an infection control team. Within the 12 countries included, the average full-time equivalents (FTEs) for ICPs and ICNs per 1000 beds were 1.2 and 3.4, respectively. In addition to ICNs and ICPs, an infection control team should also include a data manager, an epidemiologist, secretarial/administrative support, and possibly, surveillance technicians. Overall, the composition of an ideal infection control team was estimated to be 9.3 FTE per 1000 beds. The background of ICPs can be clinical microbiology or infectious diseases. Among the participants, it was predominantly clinical microbiology. The ideal training curriculum for the ICP should include 6 years of postgraduate training. Of these, at least 2 years should be 'clinical training' (e.g., internal medicine) to acquire experience in the management of high-risk patients. Furthermore, training with regard to infection control and hospital epidemiology should be offered as a 'common trunk' for those being trained in clinical microbiology or infectious diseases. Important issues that remain are: implementation/standardisation of training curricula for doctors, recognition of ICP as a separate specialty or sub-specialty of clinical microbiology and/or infectious diseases, validation of on-the-job training facilities in terms of the number of doctors and nurses who can give training and the category of patients/problems present, and mandatory postgraduate education/continuing medical education specific for infection control for doctors and nurses in the field.

Infection control nurse: a national survey

AIM

To study presence and activity of Infection Control Nurses (ICN) in Italian National Health System (NHS) hospitals.

BACKGROUND

Infection Control Nurses play an essential and evidence-based role for optimal infrastructure and essential activities of infection control and epidemiology programmes in hospitals.

METHODS

A survey of all Italian NHS hospitals (N = 529). Hospital health directors were asked to complete a questionnaire with a specific section on ICN presence, activities and roles played. Response rate was 87.5% (463 of 529).

RESULTS

More than 50% of hospitals (250 of 463) have an ICN: 25% (116 of 463) have at least one part-time employed ICN and 23.3% (108 of 250) have at least one ICN employed full-time. Infection Control Nurses are more common in hospitals with >250 beds (P < 0.01). Infection Control Nurses working in hospitals with >250 beds are highly active in surveillance activities, personnel education and management of study groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In Italian NHS hospitals ICNs have yet to become pillar figures in hospital infection control.

ICP technology keeps germs in check

Learn how the convenience of waterless cleansers and the Internet can assist you and your staff with germ control.

An infection control link nurse network in the care home setting

Link nurse groups or networks are used to enhance practice at clinical level (Cooper, 2001), improve the collaboration and education of nursing staff (MacArthur, 1998) and, therefore, have an effect on patient care. The use of link nurse networks is widespread and applied to a range of nursing specialties, particularly in acute settings. Reference in the literature to link nurse networks in nursing homes is very limited, despite their existence. This article examines the advantages and disadvantages of link nurse networks and the link nurse role as described in the literature. In addition, comparisons are made with an established infection control link nurse network in North Wales nursing homes. The article describes the assessment of the North Wales network using an audit cycle. The efficacy of link nurse networks is rarely considered; however, the process of audit can enable the evaluation of the link nurse network in relation to staff education, monitoring of infection control practice and dissemination of information.

An innovative approach to training hospital-based clinicians for bioterrorist attacks

The recent attacks of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent dissemination event of anthrax in the United States demonstrated the necessity for hospitals to initiate bioterrorism education for clinicians. Events such as the release of sarin gas into the Tokyo subway by the Aum Shinrikyo cult provided some insight into how quickly emergency medical personnel may be overwhelmed by causalities of unconventional weapons. Educational interventions to prepare hospital-based practitioners for such disasters must fit among the demands of patient care, administrative duties, and continuing education within specialties. In addition, the priority placed on the topic, confusion about reputable resources to consult, and concerns of funding for preparedness training mandate the need for an authoritative, comprehensive, and easily accessible approach. A pilot project supported in part by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was developed to facilitate streamlining of preparedness efforts through the implementation of interactive screen savers as an alternative to traditional educational modalities. This report presents the successful application of this model, which was quantified with pretests and posttests given to users of the system.

Hospital infection control in Australia

Australia is a large country divided into six states and two territories, each of which has infection control programmes. This paper looks at the organization of infection control in Australia, as well as describing the national bodies involved and recent state initiatives in infection control.

The role of the infection control link nurse

Link nurses act as a link between their own clinical area and the infection control team. Their role is to increase awareness of infection control issues in their ward and motivate staff to improve practice. It is essential that they receive training from the infection control team to ensure their competence. They have been shown to be of value to Trusts by improving clinical ward audit scores, helping infection control nurses implement policies and collecting data on hospital-acquired infections. In some hospitals, however, there are operational difficulties for link nurse schemes including high turnover of staff and insufficient time for training and monitoring their effectiveness.

The funding and organization of infection control in NHS hospital trusts: a study of infection control professionals' views

The problems associated with hospital-acquired infection have been causing increasing concern in England in recent years. This paper reports the results of a nationwide survey of hospital infection control professionals' views concerning the organizational structures used to manage and obtain funding for control of infection. A complex picture with significant variation between hospitals emerges. Although government policy dictates that specific funding for hospital infection control is formally made available, it is not always the case that infection control professionals have adequate resources to undertake their roles. In some cases this reflects the failure of hospitals' infection control budgetary mechanisms; in others it reflects the effects of decentralizing budgets to directorate or ward level. Some use was made of informal mechanisms either to supplement or to substitute for the formal ones. But almost all infection control professionals still believed they were constrained in their ability to protect the hospital population from the risk of infectious disease. It is clear that recent government announcements that increased effort will be made to support local structures and thereby improve the control of hospital acquired infection are to be welcomed.

Infection control practitioners' perceptions and educational needs regarding bioterrorism: results from a national needs assessment survey

BACKGROUND

The perceived threat that biological weapons will be used in an act of terror against the United States has escalated sharply since the discovery of anthrax-tainted letters after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. These events underscore the critical nature of health care and public health preparedness and the need to augment infection control practitioner education and training.

METHODS

Between October 2000 and August 2001 a national needs assessment was conducted by use of a 35-question survey. The survey measured infection control practitioners' (ICPs') perception of the risk for bioterrorism in the United States and in their community, the proportion of ICPs with prior training in bioterrorism preparedness, and preferences for delivery media of future bioterrorism education.

RESULTS

The assessment of the perceived threat of bioterrorism in the United States during the next 5 years (P =.022) and in the ICPs' work community (P <.001) revealed significant regional differences. Only half (56%) of the respondents reported prior training in bioterrorism preparedness. Respondents reported that the 2 most common barriers to receiving training were lack of training opportunities (70.2%) or no dedicated work time for training (19.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate an urgent need for more resources and opportunities for clinical education in bioterrorism preparedness that will provide continuing education credit. Successful bioterrorism education will require a variety of instructional designs and media delivery methods to address ICPs' preferences and needs.