#13 Infection Preventionists during COVID-19 are not alone: Tales from the field

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for those working in healthcare. Infection preventionists working tirelessly behind the scenes are feeling the pressure just as much as clinical providers. Two infection preventionists share their experiences.

Hosted by:

Silvia Quevedo

About our Guests:

Rebecca Alvino RN, MS, CNS, CIC, CNOR
Infection Preventionist Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention | Department of Quality, UCSF Health

Rebecca Alvino is an infection preventionist at UCSF Health, specializing in perioperative and procedural infection prevention. Originally beginning her career in public health during the early years of West Nile virus in Upstate New York, Rebecca became a surgical nurse in 2005—building the foundation for her knowledge and skills in perioperative and procedural infection prevention.

Rebecca joined UCSF Health in 2013 as an infection preventionist, and concurrently continued her work as a surgical nurse on a per diem basis until COVID-19 arrived at UCSF Health in early February 2020, when her work shifted exclusively to infection prevention and control. In addition to her work as an infection preventionist and as a surgical nurse, Rebecca periodically works as an academic coach with the University of Texas-Arlington for their RN-to-BSN program.

Rebecca graduated from the University at Albany, State University of New York with a bachelor’s degree in human biology, St. Joseph’s College of Nursing in Syracuse, New York with an associate’s degree in nursing, and the University of California, San Francisco with her master’s degree specializing in advanced public health nursing and minor in global health. She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau in 2013, and is a member of several professional organizations, including AORN and IAHCSMM. She is the infection prevention advisor for the California Central Service Association, and an active member of APIC, where she serves as a director for the board of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter and is a member of the APIC’s Annual Conference Committee.

Barbara A. Smith, RN, BSN, MPA, CIC, FAPIC is a Nurse Epidemiologist at the Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West campuses in New York City. She is the infection prevention consultant for Mount Sinai International currently advising Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital in Nanjing, China. She is an independent infection prevention consultant for multiple ambulatory practices including surgical, endoscopy and dialysis centers in the metropolitan region. Ms. Smith recently served on the Board of Director for the national Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). She is a member of APIC’s COVID Task Force which was convened to provide expertise to the members and the public about prevention of COVID in healthcare and community settings. She is a clinical editor of the APIC Text Online. She serves on the Advisory Board of Medical Reserve Corps of New York City and the American Council for St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo. She serves on the clinical advisory board of COVID SMART and Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council.