Improving infection preventionists' work environment: Use of validated tools to measure decompression, staffing, and recognition interventions.

BACKGROUND: Infection preventionists (IP) reported increased stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using validated instruments, we assessed whether departmental interventions could improve the work environment for IPs. METHODS: We performed a quasi-experimental study at a pediatric hospital. Following a 2021 Press Ganey® engagement survey and a 2022 Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT), Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) identified areas of focus and deployed intervention to address IP concerns. Outcomes were measured again in 2023 and included items about decompression, staffing, and meaningful recognition. Fisher's Exact Test was used to compare the proportion of IPs in agreement with Press Ganey® items pre- vs. post-intervention, and mean Likert scores were compared for HWEAT questions. RESULTS: IP agreement with the overall decompression outcome increased significantly from 2.607 to 3.346 (P<0.001). Agreement about adequate staffing from Press Ganey® did not differ significantly (71.4% pre vs. 61.5% post). However, mean HWEAT scores for adequate staffing and meaningful recognition improved from the "good" to the "excellent" range (3.93 to 4.13 and 3.87 to 4.31, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Using validated tools, we demonstrated that targeted departmental interventions improved IP perceptions about their ability to decompress and disconnect from work, IPC staffing, and meaningful recognition of their work.