Department of Clinical EpidemiologyThe OSU Health System's Department of Clinical Epidemiology is primarily located in University Hospitals in Quality and Operations with an additional site at the OSU Hospitals East. The program consists of the Medical Director, Associate Medical Director, five Infection Control Practitioners (ICP) and two part-time students for clerical support for the 931-bed teaching hospitals with 18 additional satellite primary care clinics, entailing 250,000 annual visits throughout Columbus. The activities are primarily directed at education, surveillance and clinical research for prevention of healthcare associated infections.
In 2001, the Department of Clinical Epidemiology established a web site to make the infection control manual, isolation guidelines, blood and body fluid exposure algorithm, bioterrorism resources and many external links readily available. This site is used daily by clinicians, nursing and ancillary support services. The Division of Infectious Diseases has maintained a longstanding collaborative program with the OSU Department of Pharmacy regarding monitoring of antimicrobial utilization and links to antimicrobial resistance. Clinical pharmacist infectious diseases specialists and their pharmacy residents interact regularly with the consult services as well as the Department of Clinical Epidemiology. A Master's Degree Program in the OSU School of Public Health is open to fellows who want formal training in epidemiology and biostatistics. The ICPs, Medical Director and Associate Medical Director are available for consultation on exposures, isolation practices, appropriate personal protective equipment, and potential outbreak investigations. They provide orientation for all new employees on a bi-weekly basis as well as more informal educational forums for current initiatives. The Medical Director provides orientation to all new housestaff and first and third year medical students annually. The OSU Health System is a National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS), now National Health Safety Network hospital and date is submitted regularly. Improving patient safety consists of an active surveillance program for high-risk, high-morbidity selected surgical procedures, newer surgical procedures to assess unanticipated risks, catheter related blood-stream infections in the Intensive Care Units, and ventilator associated pneumonias. Surveillance findings are incorporated into development of performance improvement programs to improve patient outcomes. In addition, the ICPs submit quarterly pathogen prevalence reports to the ICUs, track and abrogate any potential negative trends based on ICU surveillance data. We have a close working relationship with the Ohio Department of Health, where laboratory specimens can be studied by pulse-field gel electrophoresis, if necessary. We work closely with the Department of Pharmacy to encourage appropriate antibiotic choices for selected clinical diagnoses. The ICPs, the Medical Director and Associate Medical Director participate in monthly multi-disciplinary meetings such as: Infection Control Committee, Patient Safety, Quality Management Council, Construction Meetings, (to monitor and intervene to reduce risks within and around the facilities), Department Specific Quality Committees (cardiothoracic, orthopedics), and Leadership Council where presentations on recent initiatives are shared. The Department of Clinical Epidemiology is also represented on the Product Evaluation Committee to assist in choosing optimal cost-effective items; for example, safety-phlebotomy devices, central venous catheters, and equipment to protect patients, visitors and staff from acquiring healthcare associated infections. Clean hands save lives! For more information, contact: Julie E. Mangino, MD |
