QAPI 21 - Enhancing Infection Prevention: Effective Environment of Care Rounds in Dietary and Nutrition Settings in Acute Care Hospitals

Background: This abstract addresses the critical role of infection control in dietary and nutrition settings within hospitals, emphasizing the need for routine comprehensive Environment of Care (EOC) rounds to ensure patient safety. Given the susceptibility of healthcare facilities to foodborne illnesses and the role of nutrition services in patient recovery, understanding and addressing infection control in dietary environments is essential for overall quality and safe patient care.

Methods: A systematic approach was employed to establish effective EOC rounds within hospital dietary settings. Infection prevention (IP) and Food and Nutrition Services (FANs) management collaborated to design routine EOC rounds. Methods followed by IP and FANs staff encompassed a thorough assessment of environmental hygiene, food handling practices, and infection prevention measures. Data collection included observational assessments, compliance audits, and feedback mechanisms to continuously refine and optimize the EOC rounds. Audit fallouts were reviewed, and trends provided priority focus areas.

Results: The implementation of effective EOC rounds yielded tangible improvements in infection control within nutrition settings of the hospital. Regular assessments identified potential sources of contamination, ensuring adherence to best practices in food handling and environmental cleanliness. Compliance audits demonstrated increased adherence to infection control procedures, leading to a measurable reduction in the risk of foodborne infections. The collaborative efforts of the team fostered a culture of continuous improvement and heightened awareness of infection control in these critical settings.

Conclusions: Implementing effective EOC rounds in hospital kitchens significantly enhances infection control measures. The multidisciplinary approach with routine assessments and feedback mechanisms, proved instrumental in identifying and mitigating potential sources of infection. By integrating infection prevention into dietary practices, healthcare facilities can fortify their commitment to patient safety and quality care. The findings highlight the importance of proactive environmental surveillance in dietary settings and underscore the potential impact of such measures on overall infection control within healthcare institutions.