of the Association for Practitioners in Infection Control Association news Elizabeth Bolyard, R.N., M.P.H., CIC While contemplating my first message to the membership, I reflected on APE’s many accom- plishments over the past 15 years and on all that I have learned by participating in various organizational activities, both on the local and national levels. Among APIC’s numerous and noteworthy accomplishments are an abun- dance of educational activities, a certification process, a network of local chapters, develop- ment and review of guidelines, annual educa- tional conferences that include the presentation of scientific papers, liaison relationships with outside agencies and organizations in areas of health care regulations and legislation, and rec- ognition as a leading professional association. APIC has matured faster than many larger and older professional organizations. Why? Be- cause APIC is its membership: a group of in- dividuals who strive to effect change that will improve patient care. APIC members are doers, managers, politicians, and care givers. They ask, “Why not try it?” rather than say, “It cannot
Transcript
of the Association for Practitioners in Infection Control
Association news
Elizabeth Bolyard, R.N., M.P.H., CIC
While contemplating my first message to the membership, I reflected on APE’s many accom- plishments over the past 15 years and on all that I have learned by participating in various organizational activities, both on the local and national levels. Among APIC’s numerous and noteworthy accomplishments are an abun- dance of educational activities, a certification process, a network of local chapters, develop- ment and review of guidelines, annual educa- tional conferences that include the presentation of scientific papers, liaison relationships with outside agencies and organizations in areas of health care regulations and legislation, and rec- ognition as a leading professional association.
APIC has matured faster than many larger and older professional organizations. Why? Be- cause APIC is its membership: a group of in- dividuals who strive to effect change that will improve patient care. APIC members are doers, managers, politicians, and care givers. They ask, “Why not try it?” rather than say, “It cannot
30A Association news American Journal of
INFECTION CONTROL
be done.” APIC members are the backbone of the organization; they share their ideas, partic- ipate in committee work, and serve as the or- ganization’s officers. I commend all of you for the strength, creativity, and direction you have given your organization over the past 1.5 years.
As we embark on our sixteenth year, I must ask, “How do we improve a good thing?” Past officers and committee members have provided a solid base from which to continue our growth. All of our committees are carrying out the very important functions that are outlined in our strategic plan.
As we have grown, it has become increasingly difficult for one person to give a great deal of personal attention to all of the individual proj- ects of APIC. Qualified persons are selected to run our committees and entrusted to achieve the goals of our strategic plan. It is the respon- sibility of the APIC Board of Directors to track the progress of the committees and to assure that the big picture or overall goals of the organization are met within our budgetary constraints.
In this new year I hope to see many more accomplishments: the maintenance of our vital committees, coordination of efforts among committees, refinement of Board functions, and an increase in joint activities of APIC and the Society for Hospital Epidemiologists of Amer- ica (SHEA). I also will encourage the refinement of the processes begun to accomplish some of our newer objectives, which include developing guidelines, marketing the organization both professionally and to the public, fostering in- novative research, effecting regulatory and leg- islative issues related to infection control, and expanding our epidemiologic skills to enable us to evaluate outcomes effectively. All of these efforts will help prepare our membership to cope with the changing health care envi- ronment .
I want to encourage APIC members to become, certified in infection control. By achieving and maintaining certification members en- hance their professional status, both personally and with those outside our specialty. It takes several years for a voluntary certification pro- cess to become widely recognized. As more per-
sons are certified, employers become more aware of the special knowledge and skill cer- tification provides. Recently I have seen several job positions posted requiring certification for employment. I encourage all of you to become certified so that, collectively, our professional status will be enhanced.
For 1988, let us continue marching forward and maturing, while keeping our sights aimed on the future. I thank you for giving me this opportunity to lead your Association and to serve the APIC membership. I ask that each of you continues to communicate with all of us in APIC leadership roles, because you, the mem- bers, have provided the ideas that have made APIC what it is today.
BOARD ACTION
On Oct. 9 and 10, 1987, the Board: 1. Approved the minutes of the May meeting 2. Ratified the following Executive Commit-
tee decisions a. Approved the Washington, D.C., Me-
tro chapter as the 1987 Teller’s Com- mittee
b. Approved, as amended, the Guide- lines’ author’s agreement
c. Approved the circulation of copies of the Committee Chairmen Orien- tation Manual to new committee chairmen by January of their incom- ing year or as soon as possible there- after; directed the President-Elect to draft a policy so stating
d. Relative to National Infection Con- trol Week (NICW): (1) Approved combined press re-
lease and statements about Oct. 20 reception on Capitol Hill
(2) Approved participation in the NICW reception, at their own expense, of the APIC Board of Directors, National Committee Chairmen, chapter presidents, and chapter members who live within driving distance
(3) Approved the gathering of more information regarding use of
