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Libby Chinnes, RN, BSN, CIC, looks at the potential in collaboration between perioperative nurses and infection preventionists and sees an opportunity for facilities to make advances in patient safety.

Chinnes, a consultant who operates IC Solutions, LLC in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., discussed the topic last month during the Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology's (APIC's) Annual Conference & International Meeting in Denver.

"Each is passionate about quality care, and each has unique perspectives and expertise," Chinnes said. "Each of us is a leader in healthcare, and if we cooperate with each other, we can really have more success than flying solo."

A mutual benefit could lie in professionals from each of the two fields building a good rapport. Good collaboration gives both perioperative nurses and infection preventionists a better overall view of what is going on in their facility or network of facilities.

"I just think that you can affect more of a change by working together because you are coming at an issue from multiple fronts," Chinnes said.

Perioperative nurses can offer a perspective infection preventionists may not otherwise see. Likewise, the infection preventionist can contribute information from a balanced point of view from outside of the operating room.

Although each profession has distinct differences, infection preventionists and perioperative nurses are working toward the same goals.

"What we have in common between our disciplines is preventing infections," said APIC President Janet Frain, RN, CIC, CPHQ, CPHRM. The difference, she added, lies in a different scope. Where perioperative nurses' primary concern is with preop, operating room and postop procedures, the infection preventionists' field is throughout an entire facility.

Despite the similarities, some infection preventionists may not necessarily be comfortable in the operating room. Chinnes, a member of both AORN and APIC, said some of her colleagues didn't have hands-on training in the perioperative field during school. Meanwhile, infection preventionists are sometimes viewed as enforcers within their respective facilities.

"We tend to be sometime looked at as the police," Chinnes said. "What we're aiming for is to be a player, a team member."

She suggested that infection preventionists and perioperative managers get to know each other, and learn each other's strengths and weaknesses when it comes to infection prevention and perioperative care.

"Go spend time with those people," she said. "Most people in each profession love to share their knowledge and share what they know. They want you to get it right."

The common goals shared by members of each profession serve as a good starting point. Through increased conversation between infection preventionists and perioperative managers, a facility may be able to identify risks more easily.

A good connection could also help when it comes to purchasing new equipment. Infection preventionists see things, such as new equipment, from a different angle. Where a physician or nurse might look at different tools for ease of use or practicality, an infection perfectionist might bring the perspective of someone who has to sterilize the equipment to eliminate risks.

"I think that's an area where we can help," Chinnes said. "But we as infection preventionists may be hesitant because we think that they are the experts and that our input won't make a difference."

Her advice is for  infection preventionists and perioperative nurses to sit down over a cup of coffee and identify areas where they can help each other out.

"I think the more people we can get involved in infection control and in patient safety - and these two professions have always worked on those issues - then the more accountable we can be," Chinnes said.

For more on how perioperative nurses and infection preventionists can work together, read this month's Manager's Soapbox column.

Read more news in AORN Management Connections.