At Haven Homes, many people work hard to ensure the health and happiness of residents and staff.
However, over the years one employee has truly stood out: Andrew, the Infection Preventionist and Staff Development Nurse.
Andrew has been a part of the Haven Homes family for more than 18 years. His journey is a testament to dedication and continuous growth.
He started at Haven Homes in 2004 as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) until 2006, then worked on the floor as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) until 2019. Afterward, he completed his registered nurse (RN) license and shortly thereafter took on the position of Infection Preventionist and Staff Development Nurse.
An Advocate for Safety
Andrew takes on a wide range of responsibilities, which all aim to protect everyone’s well-being. He keeps a watchful eye on resident and staff illnesses, identifying potential links between them.
As he aptly puts it, “every resident and staff member in the building is my patient.”
One of his essential tasks involves auditing infection control practices, including monitoring hand hygiene, surface cleaning and personal protective equipment usage.
Through these duties, Andrew sheds light on practices, draws attention to areas that need improvement and ultimately prevents the spread of illness within the Haven Homes community.
Additionally, he oversees the antibiotic stewardship program aimed at preventing unnecessary antibiotic usage to combat the development of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.”
Beyond these duties, he wields significant influence in resident placement during admissions. He contributes valuable insights to building programs, especially those concerning ventilation and water planning.
Commitment to Education
Education is a cornerstone of Andrew’s role.
He ensures that staff members are well-prepared to care for residents with illnesses while preventing the spread of diseases to themselves, their families and other residents.
This education is delivered through various means, including one-on-one sessions, meetings, messages, an online training platform and monthly staff meetings.
“Education is the cornerstone to ensuring that staff know how to take care of someone with an illness, how to prevent its spread to themselves, their families and other residents,” Andrew says.
Elevated Sanitation Measures Amidst the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant enhancements to cleaning and disinfection practices at Cassia.
At that time, Andrew and his team began educating staff on the types of disinfectants available and when to use which one in different situations. They took a closer look at workflows to identify high-touch surfaces, which were cleaned more frequently and rigorously.
Andrew keeps a vigilant eye on community transmission rates of communicable diseases, requiring routine check-ins with staff about practices.
He highlights the increased availability of vaccines. Andrew and his team have been working diligently to obtain consent and establish systems to ensure residents and staff receive the necessary vaccinations.
A Privilege to Serve
At Haven Homes, Andrew’s commitment to surveillance, education and infection prevention ensures that residents and staff can enjoy a safe and welcoming community, where their well-being is the top priority.
It’s not just a job for Andrew; it’s about making a difference and serving others with care and compassion.
“It’s a privilege to work in a building and for a company that values fostering a homelike environment, and individual choice,” he says. “It is home.”
