West Georgia Health employee recognized for infection prevention - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

West Georgia Health employee recognized for infection prevention and control

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LAGRANGE, GA (WTVM) -

Bonnie Norrick, West Georgia Health's Infection Control Manager, was recently recognized as the recipient of the Georgia Infection Prevention Network's Sally B Williams Award, formerly known as Member of the Year, for going above and beyond to promote infection prevention and control and GIPN.

"We're doing an excellent job in keeping down our infections, and we have improved over the past few years," Bonnie said. "We have decreased our nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infection rate since 2007."

During her time at West Georgia Health, Bonnie helped lead the nurse-driven Foley catheter removal protocol and the mandatory influenza vaccine program. She also assisted Dr. Clark, an Emory hospitalist at West Georgia Medical Center, with a presentation on prevention of urinary tract infections, as well as submitted a proposal to the Premier healthcare alliance for best practice in preventing ventilator-acquired pneumonia.

"We have a strong positive culture of patient safety, and because of that we've been able to accomplish what we've done."

To promote infection control locally, Bonnie has presented to community groups such as the LaGrange Fire Department and senior citizens groups on the subject of blood borne pathogens and infection prevention at home at work.

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