Addressing healthcare associated infections prevention through a fellowship training program

Abstract

Purpose -This paper aims to describe the initial experiences in a new option of an established fellowship program, which can serve as a model that strengthens the next generation of our workforce for preventing healthcare-associated infections. Design/methodology/approach -Historical narrative. Findings -The CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship has a long history of success in producing future leaders for the public health workforce. As it expands into a healthcare-associated infections option, it is addressing an area new to traditional public health departments. However, this also is an area where public health must be viewed as part of the continuum of healthcare systems, where tomorrow's professionals must be credible in a number of settings (health departments, hospitals, clinics and extended care facilities). Practical implications -CSTE's first class of HAI Fellows offers a new model for producing the type of professionals necessary for the field of hospital epidemiology and infection control to achieve its full potential. Originality/value -This is the first published description of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists new Applied Epidemiology Fellowship "HAI" graduating class.