Category Archives: Project Firstline

Healthcare associated infections can have a huge impact on healthcare costs.  The South Dakota Project Firstline (SD PFL) Office Hour will discuss how health care teams can prevent infections by improving infection control practices and reducing antimicrobial resistance through appropriate antibiotic use. SD PFL Office Hour: Antimicrobial ResistanceWednesday, October 11, 2023, at 11:00 AM CentralContinueContinue reading “October 11 PFL Office Hour: Antimicrobial Resistance”

Fast and Danko Attend Infection Control Conference MED article highlights South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDFMC) team’s experience connecting with infection prevention leaders from across the country. The APIC conference included information on a new scholarship opportunity for critical access hospitals to help with infection prevention and control tools and resources.  Jess Danko, MSHA,ContinueContinue reading “APIC Conference Benefits SD Infection Prevention Efforts”

Dry surfaces like door handles, light switches, and handrails are commonly touched. Proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces helps reduce the spread of germs and the potential risk for infection. The upcoming South Dakota Project Firstline (SD PFL) Office Hour will review how to reduce the risk of infection on dry surfaces. SD PFL OfficeContinueContinue reading “September 13 PFL Office Hour: Germs Live on Dry Surfaces”

Accepting Job Applications for Program Manager: Ryan White Part B SDFMC Job Application The South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDFMC) has a mission to improve quality of life for all South Dakotans by collaborating with healthcare professionals and community partners to achieve excellence in care. By pursing the organizational values to seek excellence, developContinueContinue reading “SDFMC Infection Prevention Team Expansion”

A picture is worth a thousand words. When it comes to infection prevention and control seeing the practices and resulting issues first-hand adds impact and encourages change. Recognizing the value of real-life examples for improving education, the South Dakota Project Firstline (PFL) Office Hours updated the session format to include discussion on photos from infectionContinueContinue reading “Real-Life Examples Presented During Project Firstline Office Hours”

Building bridges, literally and figuratively, paved the way for Rebecca Sime, RN, to become the newest program manager for the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDFMC). Her journey from civil engineering to registered nurse has given Sime a unique perspective and skill set in both project management and quality improvement.   As a member ofContinueContinue reading “Sime Strengthens Infection Prevention Team”

Oral care goes beyond maintaining teeth.  The mouth tells a story about a person’s overall health, including revealing infection. Infection prevention and control practices in the dental setting are important for protecting those receiving and providing care. When working in the oral cavity, the body’s defense mechanisms are bypassed. Ensuring processes provide the highest levelContinueContinue reading “Infection Lurks at Every Tooth “

May 11, 2023, marks the expiration of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the infection control recommendations for healthcare facilities.  To support healthcare workers to understand the updated recommendations and how they may be implemented in various facilities and settings,ContinueContinue reading “CDC Project Firstline Town Hall May 16”

Creating a culture where infection prevention practices become universal in all activities is the focus for Project Firstline (PFL), a national training collaborative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Routine cleaning and disinfecting practices are important for protecting public health, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem proclaimed March 26 – April 1,ContinueContinue reading “Safe and Sanitized Environment is Foundational for Health”