Boyd Wilson loves research, likes solving puzzles and enjoys working with a wide variety of people. His job as director of infection prevention and control for HealthEast Care System involves all that - plus the satisfaction of knowing that he's contributing to healthcare safety.
"Our work has always focused on protecting both patients and healthcare workers," says Wilson. "These days, we're also involved in emergency preparedness for events like bioterrorism and influenza pandemics."
Surveillance And Monitoring
Every day, the infection control team studies lab reports and patient records. Increasingly, hospitals are using "data mining" systems to examine electronic records. While these systems don't replace human surveillance, they do provide background monitoring that helps the team detect potential problems.
Wilson and his team also create an annual plan that focuses on areas of concern. The plan might include the monitoring of surgical site infections after certain kinds of operations or ensuring safer procedures in the intensive care unit.
In addition, members of the team regularly consult with staff throughout the hospital and join rounds with clinicians to observe procedures.
Compliance And Reporting
Wilson and his team assure that HealthEast complies with standards mandated by regulatory bodies like the Minnesota Department of Health, OSHA and Medicare.
