Infection Control Center - School of Nursing - The University of Texas at El Paso

Infection Control Center

Mission Statement
The University of Texas at El Paso School of Nursing (UTEP SON) Infection Control Center is an evidence-based practice and resource center for healthcare providers and the community of El Paso as well as the entire Paso Del Norte region for control of viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections that are endemic and may become epidemic and/or pandemic.

The Center is interdisciplinary in nature, including nursing, medicine, allied health, bio-engineering, biology, microbiology, informatics, anthropology, psychology, and other social scientists.

Administratively, the Infection Control Center is within the School of Nursing and reports to the Office of the Dean. Dr. Velma McInnis-Edmonds is the director. She can be contacted at vedmonds@utep.edu, or by phone at 915.747.7261

Goal
Achievement of research and scholarly excellence in infection control

Objectives

To enable UTEP faculty and students to research issues related to infectious diseases;
To implement prevention and infection control activities;
To promote infectious disease control measures;
To build collaborative networks within the university and with the public health system;
To develop a plan of action for activities and responsibilities during a healthcare crisis; and
To develop a comprehensive communications plan within the university community, the media, public health department, medical community, and El Paso and the entire Paso Del Norte region

Strategic Plan
Recruit faculty in core disciplines who demonstrate both a commitment to research, teaching and learning, and success in carrying out activities related to infection control. Provide infrastructure support in UTEP faculty, staff, and students related to infection control. Host scholarly and professional meetings and conferences on the UTEP campus. Foster increased involvement of undergraduate students in faculty research and scholarly activities related to infection control. Foster an interdisciplinary approach to infection control involving nursing, medicine, allied health, bio-engineering, biology, microbiology, informatics, anthropology, psychology, and other social scientists.

Activities to Date
Students were oriented to the Medical Reserve Corps and how to join at Red Carpet in January. This was done in the event a major health care crisis or natural disaster should occur.
A major workshop, “Threats in Schools,” was held in conjunction with the Texas School Safety Center on June 24, 2008. Approximately 75 people attended.
Undergraduate research students have researched locally practiced infection control measures for MRSA, IM injections, and Sub-cutaneous injections for evidenced-based practice.
An advisory committee for the center is being planned.