EndoNurse spoke with Carol Imes, RN, MPA, CNOR, director of nursing at Ohio's Mentor Surgery Center, and Charlotte Applen, chief infection preventionist at Banner Surgery Centers in Ariz., to get their expert advice on how to handle important infection control issues in your ASC.
Creating a business case for infection prevention can be daunting. Can you give some tips on key components to establishing a business plan/case that can demonstrate value to an organization?
Imes: Infection prevention is not an option. Mandates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have strengthened the case for infection prevention. The cost of treating healthcare-acquired infections HAIs compared to the cost of implementing infection prevention programs speaks for itself.
Applen: To create a business case, you must address the need that the project seeks to resolve. It should explain:
1. What is the purpose?
2. Expected benefits:
· Business: cost savings
· Quality: improved outcomes/decreased infections
· Intangible benefits
3. Options (e.g. implementing a bundle, do nothing)
4. Expected costs (research and have accurate data/cost)
5. Communicate impact of the plan/interventions
When developing a plan, here are some key factors to consider:
1. Decide who should present—administrator, CFO, clinical manager, etc.
2. Make it simple
3. Be clear and concise
4. Discuss cost estimates and what is acceptable
· Communicate value (show return on investment) to justify the plan.
· What is not being done due to inadequate resources that should be done to improve outcomes/quality?
· Identify interventions that impact the outcome
· Demonstrate value (return on investment)
