title: The role of infection prevention conferences to build and maintain knowledge-sharing networks: a longitudinal evaluation.
abstract: Well-connected knowledge-sharing networks (KSNs) of infection preventionists are vital to the profession. Face-to-face networking during conferences is considered critical to build and maintain KSNs; however, this has never been formally studied. We used a pre-post survey design to evaluate the effect of a regional infection prevention meeting on the KSNs. We found that the meeting did not alter the KSNs of infection preventionists. Current meeting structures should be re-evaluated with a goal to improve KSNs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY. Electronic address: tim.wiemken@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: Timothy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Wiemken
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Kelley
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.
authors.forename: Emily B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Pacholski
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.
authors.forename: Kelly W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Carrico
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peyrani
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Carrico
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.
authors.forename: Julio A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ramirez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019058:Community Networks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D016357:Infection Control Practitioners; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Conference; Health care-associated infections; Infection control; Public health; Social network