title: Qualitative evaluation and economic estimates of an infection control champions program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In many North American hospitals, conventional infection control operational models often struggle to provide sufficient support to frontline health care workers. The objective of this study was to describe a sustainable infection control champion (ICC) program based on findings from focus groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A distributed model of infection control was established by placing infection prevention and control-trained ICCs in 3 Canadian hospitals for a period of 12 months. Subsequently, semistructured focus groups were conducted to describe overall feasibility and impeding and critical factors affecting sustainability. An economic estimate of the ICC program compared with the cost of hiring a new infection control practitioner was also calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Focus group participants considered the program feasible. Barriers included lack of time and staff turnover. Themes critical for the successful implementation of an ICC program included defined ICC roles and goals, adequate support and resources for the ICC, engagement with all levels of staff, flexible structure, and program evaluation. The cost per bed of the ICC program was less than the cost per bed of hiring a new infection control practitioner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A distributed model of providing infection prevention and control services may have benefit when hospital infection control teams are underresourced, as is often the case. Several key factors are needed for the successful implementation of an ICC program.
authors.affiliation: Infection Prevention and Control, St. Paul's Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lloyd-Smith
authors.affiliation: Infection Prevention and Control, St. Paul's Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Curtin
authors.affiliation: Infection Prevention and Control, St. Paul's Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gilbart
authors.affiliation: Infection Prevention and Control, St. Paul's Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Electronic address: MRomney@providencehealth.bc.ca.
authors.forename: Marc G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Romney
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel; D006295:Health Resources; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D016357:Infection Control Practitioners; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015397:Program Evaluation
keywords: Evaluation; Infection control champion; Link nurse