President’s Message February, 2008

“Everything that is, won’t be for long. Either we create our future, or someone else will.” Anonymous.

This quote seems appropriate for the challenging times South Jersey Infection Control Professionals are facing in the near future. The SJ APIC Board has endeavored to address the professional concerns of our membership. We welcome your comments and suggestions

SJ APIC Board 2008 Goals:

GOAL 1:
  Update our website www.apic-snj.org by March 1, 2008.

GOAL 2:
  Support our membership through the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN ) application process. Tutorial review will be offered at our monthly meetings. Peg Janasie (Meridian) and Carol Ward (Virtua) will serve as moderators and provide tips and updates to the membership.

GOAL 3:
  Establish a working resource group to assist in implementation of state and federal guidelines (e.g., MRSA Guidance Document and NJ Healthcare Facility Associated (HAI) Public Reporting). This Resource Group - Margaret Janasie (Meridian), Karyn Young-Engelman & Jacquie Breuer (Centra State) will be available at each meeting to address process issues and work towards establishing research parameters.

GOAL 4:
  Research current hand hygiene monitoring and compliance tools and develop a tool kit for SJ Members. Marlene Kaplan (Kennedy Health Systems Cherry Hill) has agreed to research this topic and is asking for volunteers to work with her.

GOAL 5:
  Evaluate membership attendance and develop action plan to increase participation and attendance (Karen Young-Engelman & Jacquie Breurer (Centra State)

Hope to see you at our next meeting!

Respectfully yours,

Bridget Farrell, RN, CIC, CPHQ
  President SJ APIC