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The Initiative in 2009
In 2009, “Zero Tolerance for Failure: Pharmacists Fight Back!” brought application-based education on appropriate management of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) to 1000 health-system pharmacists in 8 State Societies of Health-System Pharmacists (SHPs). The Outcomes Results of this Initiative, shared at a Poster Session during the 44th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, demonstrated an increased overall awareness of HAI-associated challenges. It was also clear that effectively addressing these challenges required (1) continuous and sequential educational training and (2) expanding the reach to health-system pharmacists across the entire US.


The Next Step in 2010
This has resulted in the Initiative’s second phase in 2010—“Zero Tolerance for HAIs: Pharmacists Take the Next Step Towards Quality Improvement and Patient Safety”. With Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) as the educational partner, this Next Step will focus on addressing process-related issues in HAI management by empowering health-system pharmacists from 10 State SHPs with practical knowledge to successfully manage HAIs.


Unique Instructional Design
In the 2010 Initiative, predisposing-enabling-reinforcing educational format is used to build the skills and competencies of health-system pharmacists and facilitate application of these competencies in clinical practice. Health-system pharmacists will participate in a live activity followed by an online tutorial series.
The live activity consists of
  1. evidence-based presentations focusing on specific clinical tools;
  2. clinical skills and competencies workshop on application of clinical tools through faculty-learner dialogue in a virtual case;
  3. Antimicrobial Stewardship Meeting simulation led by regional pharmacist on regional challenges in managing HAIs.

 AGENDA

Defining the Steps Towards
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Strengthening the Pharmacist's Role
  • The Evolving Face of Resistance
  • Optimizing Treatment of HAIs
Clinical Skills and Competencies Workshop
Antimicrobial Stewardship Meeting

The online tutorial series “Quality Improvement: Tool Time” will reinforce practical application of tools and competencies acquired during the live activity. Each Tool is a combination of faculty commentary on essentials in clinical practice, links to relevant scientific publications, and a printable handout that will serve as a reminder.