Dialysis Infection Control Made Practical and Powerful: Mastering Dialysis Best Practices

Session Description: Due to the complex challenges associated with infection control in the dialysis setting, infection prevention and dialysis staff may find the need for specialized training. Dialysis patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings are at an increased risk of healthcare-associated infections. This workshop will provide participants with both guidance on best practices for hemodialysis infection prevention as well as a hands-on experience in a dialysis simulation. This interactive workshop aims to educate participants on the nuances of this specialized healthcare setting while also providing a framework for replicating similar educational sessions. The workshop is intended for any clinical or non-clinical stakeholder to learn about the unique infection prevention risks associated with hemodialysis patients.
The workshop will utilize breakout groups to explore three dialysis infection prevention topics: safe handling of three different dialysis access types, proper hemodialysis environmental disinfection, and hemodialysis water safety. Participants will be led through hands-on demonstrations with provided dialysis training aids that highlight the infection prevention needs in hemodialysis, prioritizing patient safety. The workshop will offer opportunities for engagement through breakout sessions, allowing participants to demonstrate and share what they have learned.
The workshop will begin with a 15-minute introductory briefing that highlights the need for hemodialysis-specific infection prevention education and the benefits of standardized infection prevention programs in the dialysis setting. The briefing will be followed by a rotation of three 20-minute stations, each focusing on a simulation exercise related to dialysis infection prevention and will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A session. Participants will leave the session with a deeper understanding of best practices in hemodialysis infection prevention and a greater knowledge of how to replicate a similar hands-on educational session for the dialysis setting.

Katherine Buechel

Infection Prevention Specialist 2, Tennessee Department of Health

Katherine Buechel, RN, BSN, CIC, LTC-CIP is an Infection Prevention Specialist with the Tennessee Department of Health wtihin the Healthcare Associated Infections Program. She has a varied background in nursing, including Labor and Delivery, Home Health, Emergency Medicine, Occupational Health, and In-patient Education. Her last 10 years in acute care were spent as the Director of Infection Control and Employee Health in a 159 bed facility. A career change in September of 2015 bgan a new chapter as an IP in public health. Her varied background in nursing made the transition to public health seamless with the ability to enter all healthcare facility types with confidence to focus on infection control and provide support to faciliy IPs across the state of Tennessee. Katherine has been CIC certified since 2007 and obtained her LTC-CIP in 2023. She is active with her local Smoky Mountain APIC Chapter and is the current Past-Preident.

Kelley Tobey

Infection Prevention Specialist 2, TN Dept of Health

Kelley Tobey, MPH, RN, CIC is an experienced infection preventionist with 16 years’ experience focusing on infection prevention techniques to improve patient outcomes and staff safety. She was raised in Pennsylvania, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Gwynedd Mercy College. She utilizes her skills and experience as a Registered Nurse working in Med-Surg, Cardiology, and Neonatal Intensive Care, and obtained an MPH with a focus in Community Health Education. Prior to working in Public Health, Kelley was an infection preventionist at an Acute Care Hospital for 5 years. Her experience is an asset when working with facilities across the healthcare spectrum. She has been board certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) since 2014. She is an active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) serving on the APIC Smoky Mountain chapter Board of Directors in various capacities since 2010.

Sara Dodson

Infection Prevention Specialist, Tennessee Department of Health

Sara is an Infection Preventionist with the Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program at the Tennessee Department of Health. She brings more than 15 years of microbiology laboratory experience and 18 years of infection prevention and control expertise, applying a practical, evidence-based approach to reducing healthcare-associated infection risks. Throughout her career, Sara has led infection prevention programs in a wide range of healthcare settings, including serving in a leadership role at a Level I trauma center. She is Board Certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) and is also a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ). An active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Sara has held multiple leadership positions within her local APIC chapter. She has served two terms as Treasurer, two terms as President, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the APIC Smoky Mountain Chapter.

Patrick Gordon

Executive Director, Infection Prevention, Beth Israel Lahey Health

Patrick Gordon DNP, RN, CIC is the Executive Director of Infection Prevention & Control for Beth Israel Lahey Health, a 14 hospital health system in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Patrick has worked in in Infection Prevention since 2016, with a focus on process and quality improvement. Prior to working at BILH, Patrick worked in infection prevention at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), most recently as director.