From Acquisition to Alignment: First-Year Lessons in Systemwide Infection Prevention Integration

Session Description: Integrating infection prevention and control (IPC) programs across newly acquired hospitals presents a range of strategic and operational challenges. This presentation will share lessons learned from the first year of unifying IPC efforts across an expanded health system that includes three acute care hospitals, each with distinct practices, cultures, and infection prevention priorities. Now part of a regional safety-net health system, these hospitals serve underserved communities; including significant migrant, unhoused, and incarcerated populations; with a unified approach to infection prevention.

The integration began with a structured gap analysis and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats assessment to evaluate variation in practice, capability, and regulatory readiness. Findings from this analysis informed a systemwide IPC strategic plan built around unified goals and standardized performance metrics. Policies and protocols were aligned and standardized in close collaboration with hospital stakeholders, ensuring consistency while honoring site-specific needs. To support data-informed decision-making and track progress, standardized key performance indicators were identified as standing agenda items for the systemwide infection prevention and control committee. These included hospital-acquired infection metrics, hand hygiene compliance, immediate-use steam sterilization, water quality, sterile compounding requirements, room cleanliness indicators, employee health, and staff education completion rates.

The initiative was implemented amid significant challenges, including staffing shortages and limited IPC infrastructure. With only two infection preventionists covering the entire system, efforts were prioritized based on risk, and workflows were streamlined to reduce duplication and improve efficiency. Building collaborative relationships with department leaders and frontline staff was essential to fostering shared ownership of IPC goals.

Attendees will gain insight into communication strategies, change management techniques, and practical tools for monitoring progress in a resource-limited setting. This presentation will provide applicable takeaways for healthcare systems undergoing mergers, acquisitions, or network expansion, as well as for organizations seeking to improve IPC outcomes despite limited staffing and infrastructure.

Stephanie LaRochelle

System Director, Infection Prevention and Control, Merrimack Health

Stephanie LaRochelle, MPH, CIC is the System Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Merrimack Health, where she leads infection prevention strategy, compliance, and performance improvement across multiple acute care hospitals. As a board-certified infection preventionist with over 10 years of experience in acute care and public health, Stephanie has led systemwide initiatives to reduce hospital-acquired infections, standardize surveillance and reporting, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration. In 2022, she led the integration of Environmental Services under Infection Prevention oversight to improve cleaning performance and operations. She values collaborative leadership and believes it is essential to advancing patient safety, reducing healthcare-associated infections, and creating sustainable programs. Stephanie is passionate about mentoring the next generation of infection preventionists, supporting professional growth, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and tending to her flower garden.

Kinta Alexander

Director of Infection Prevention, New York City Health and Hospitals/Harlem

Dr. Kinta Alexander, DrPH, MS, MPH, CIC, FNYAM, is Director of Infection Prevention and Control at NYC Health + Hospitals | Harlem and CEO of MICRO Consulting Corporation. With over 18 years in infection prevention, she has led innovative initiatives, including the development of a system-wide protocol to combat multidrug-resistant Candida auris (recently reclassified as Candidozyma auris) while at Mount Sinai Brooklyn, later recognized by the New York State Department of Health as a best practice. An accomplished presenter and author, Dr. Alexander has shared her expertise at ICPIC in Geneva and APIC’s national conference, with publications covering CRE, C. difficile, measles, CAUTI, neonatal Pseudomonas, and hand hygiene compliance. She serves as a manuscript reviewer for AJIC and ICHE, co-chairs the Infection Prevention Council for NYC Health + Hospitals, and leads the mentorship program as a Board Director for the APIC Greater New York Chapter. Her honors include the 2019 United Hospital Fund Excellence in Health Care Award and induction as a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine in 2024.