In this podcast episode of Science into Practice by the American Journal of Infection Control, hosts Nicki Shore and Jessica Swain have a fascinating discussion with infection prevention experts Dr. Sara Reese and Jordan Zepeda. They discuss an interesting study about the increase in Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The experts shed light on whether supply chain disruptions and protocol changes may have contributed to the phenomenon while discussing modifiable risk factors that could impact prevention strategies. A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the intricate links between the pandemic and other healthcare challenges.
Guests:
Sara Reese, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, Regional Director of Infection Prevention, Intermountain Health
Jordan Zepeda, MPH, CIC, Infection Prevention Manager, St. Vincent Regional Hospital
Article;
https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(23)00480-7/pdf
Sara Reese, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC
Regional Director of Infection Prevention, Intermountain Health
Dr. Reese has been the Regional Director of Infection Prevention for Intermountain Health since January 2021. Before that, she was the Manager of Infection Prevention at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO, and she held that role for 2.5 years. In that role, she led the COVID-19 pandemic response for the Level 1 Trauma Center and oversaw numerous performance improvement projects that resulted in a reduction of healthcare-associated infections. She mentored numerous Masters in Public Health students through shadowing, practicum, and capstone opportunities. Dr. Reese also worked at Denver Health Medical Center for six years as an Infection Prevention Specialist and at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as the Patient Safety Program Coordinator for two years. She has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and presented at many local and national conference on infection prevention activities. Most recently, Dr. Reese has published on the challenges within recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining infection preventionists.
Jordan Zepeda, MPH, CIC
Infection Prevention Manager, St. Vincent Regional Hospital
Jordan graduated from Carroll College in Helena, MT in 2014 with a Bachelor of Health Science and a minor in Biology. She completed her MPH from the University of Montana School of Public and Community Health Sciences in 2019. Jordan currently manages the Infection Prevention program at St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, MT where she focuses on surgical site infection prevention, process improvement, data analysis, and program management. Outside of work, Jordan enjoying spending time with her family which includes her husband, three adorable children, and one very energetic dog. Jordan and her family love to camp, hike, and enjoy all the beauty the great state of Montana has to offer.