The emerging role of the corporate or system-level infection prevention director for integrated delivery networks

One position in integrated delivery networks (IDNs) that provides centralized oversight to optimize patient safety is the corporate-level infection prevention (IP) director. After noting variability in their roles, responsibilities, and IP programs, a national network of IDN IP directors planned a member survey to better understand common and variable elements. Nine network members volunteered to design a survey to describe the current role, responsibilities, and resourcing of all members of the corporate IP director group. A 17-question survey was designed using the Survey Monkey multiple-choice format with a comment option. The questions were reviewed by the entire network to ensure content validity. The survey was delivered to all 72 network members by e-mail, and a 44% response rate was achieved. Survey responses revealed variation and commonalities relative to role structure, responsibilities, resourcing, and level of physician support for corporate IP directors. In addition, advantages of the position were described. The results of the survey will serve as a foundation on which to build, supporting standardization and reliable design for the role, responsibilities, and resourcing of corporate IP directors, with the ultimate goal of improving patient safety.