Category
Applied
Description
Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is essential for preventing healthcare-associated infections and strengthening healthcare system preparedness. Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are particularly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks due to high-risk resident populations and shared care environments. Federal programs such as the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) initiative have supported IPC workforce development and surveillance systems, but reductions in emergency funding may expose vulnerabilities in IPC infrastructure.
Objective: To assess the feasibility of conducting a mixed-methods evaluation of IPC infrastructure vulnerability among long-term care facilities in Southwest Virginia following ELC funding retrenchment.
Methods: A preparatory mixed-methods pilot study will collect quantitative facility-level indicators (workforce capacity, training, surveillance systems) and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with administrators, directors of nursing, and infection prevention personnel. Quantitative data will be summarized using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data will be analyzed thematically.
Expected Results and Conclusions
Findings will evaluate the feasibility of recruitment and data collection and identify potential indicators of IPC infrastructure vulnerability to inform future large-scale studies.
Preparatory Mixed-Methods Evaluation of IPC Infrastructure Vulnerability After ELC Funding Retrenchment: A Pilot Study Protocol
Applied
Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is essential for preventing healthcare-associated infections and strengthening healthcare system preparedness. Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are particularly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks due to high-risk resident populations and shared care environments. Federal programs such as the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) initiative have supported IPC workforce development and surveillance systems, but reductions in emergency funding may expose vulnerabilities in IPC infrastructure.
Objective: To assess the feasibility of conducting a mixed-methods evaluation of IPC infrastructure vulnerability among long-term care facilities in Southwest Virginia following ELC funding retrenchment.
Methods: A preparatory mixed-methods pilot study will collect quantitative facility-level indicators (workforce capacity, training, surveillance systems) and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with administrators, directors of nursing, and infection prevention personnel. Quantitative data will be summarized using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data will be analyzed thematically.
Expected Results and Conclusions
Findings will evaluate the feasibility of recruitment and data collection and identify potential indicators of IPC infrastructure vulnerability to inform future large-scale studies.
