Managing the Unmanageable: Productivity Strategies for Modern Infection Preventionists

Session Description: Infection Preventionists (IPs) are often pulled in multiple directions, ranging from responding to urgent calls, managing outbreaks, participating in strategic planning, and supporting audits and education. This session tackles one of the profession's greatest unspoken challenges: how to manage time in a reactive, high-stakes role. The session introduces a set of flexible, evidence-informed time management techniques tailored to the IP environment, including time-blocking, prioritization matrices, rapid triage of requests, and boundary setting. The presentation will also explore how artificial intelligence can streamline routine documentation, automate repetitive tasks, and provide intelligent scheduling recommendations tailored to infection prevention workflows. Participants will reflect on the tension between proactive goals and reactive responsibilities and learn strategies to minimize cognitive overload and burnout. Special emphasis will be placed on how to build systems that support resilience: templates, team workflows, and tools that reduce decision fatigue. The session also addresses how leaders can help structure IP roles to minimize unnecessary interruptions. Effective time management systems promote inclusion by creating structured approaches that support work-life integration, particularly benefiting team members with caregiving responsibilities or other competing demands. By reducing the 'always-on' culture common in infection prevention, these strategies help retain diverse talent and ensure all team members have equitable opportunities to contribute to strategic initiatives while maintaining personal well-being.

John Delano

Multisite Director, Infection Prevention, Advocate Health

John Delano is a Certified Infection Preventionist with over a decade of experience advancing patient safety in diverse healthcare settings. He currently serves as Multisite Director of Infection Prevention for Advocate Health’s South Chicagoland area, leading strategies to reduce healthcare-associated infections and ensure regulatory compliance. He has developed electronic tools, led multidisciplinary education initiatives, and implemented interventions that improved infection rates and hand hygiene. He has also mentored Infection Preventionists pursuing CIC certification and built high-performing teams. John has presented at national APIC conferences and published on disinfection and quality improvement. Passionate about innovation and equity, he leverages data, research, and systems thinking to improve outcomes. He holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and is currently pursuing a DrPH in Advanced Leadership.

Jacob Schermetzler

Multi-site Director - Infection Prevention, Advocate Health

Jacob is a Medical Laboratory Scientist with six years as a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, four years of Certification in Infection Control and Prevention, and eight years of experience as an infection preventionist. He serves as the Multi-site Director of Infection Prevention for Advocate Health’s Wisconsin Division, overseeing eight hospitals in Metro Milwaukee and Southern Wisconsin. Over the past five years, he has managed and guided the Infection Prevention program through the challenges of the COVID pandemic, leadership transitions, and enterprise integration. Jacob has played a key role in standardizing Infection Prevention strategies, practices, and operations across other acute care hospitals within the Advocate Health Enterprise. He is an active member of APIC – Southeast Wisconsin Chapter and served on the Board of Directors from 2021 to 2023.

Chaz Rhone

Division Assistant Vice President Infection Prevention, HCA Florida Healthcare

Chaz earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Florida and began his career as an Infection Preventionist in 2007. He is currently the Assistant Vice President of Infection Prevention at HCA Healthcare North Florida Division, where he oversees infection prevention operations and strategy for 16 acute care facilities and all associated sites of care. Chaz is certified in infection prevention, recognized as an APIC Hero, APIC Fellow, and APIC Champion. He currently serves on the APIC Board of Directors and in the past as co-chair of the APIC Academic Pathway Task Force and a member of the APIC Professional Development Committee. His professional passions include advancing the field of IP through leadership development of IPs and advocating for MPH-ers as equally qualified candidates for IP positions. On a personal note, Chaz is married to an IP, a girl dad x2, and loves sneakers.

Robert Thornhill

Infection Prevention Manager, Baptist Health System

Robert P. Thornhill, MSN, RN, CIC is an Infection Preventionist at Resolute Baptist Hospital in New Braunfels, Texas. He has 20 years of experience as a registered nurse and over 13 years as an Infection Preventionist in acute care, an outpatient setting, as a consultant for the Air Force, a regional manager and an instructor. He retired from the United States AIr Force after 24 years of service where he was the program director and instructor for the Epidemiology and Infection Prevention course and he was an author on the Air Force Instruction for Infection Prevention. He is currently an APIC Local Chapter board member and a member of the 2024 APIC Conference board. In his spare time, he is on the board for a local 5K that benefits Homes for Our Troops.