ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the potential for infection prevention and control specialists (IPCSs) to have a wider influence on standards in healthcare services and add value to their role. Translating the potential to influence change into the delivery of improved outcomes is a recognised challenge. One of the barriers is that some ICPSs are comfortable working in a specialty with clear boundaries and so avoid encroachment into other areas such as risk and quality. The IPCS can support the process and systems design in clinics, surgeries and hospitals by minimising the impact of infection-related assessment and documentation. In a teaching session on basic infection control for delivery drivers in primary care, the IPCS summarised the basic principles of standard precautions and informed the drivers of the risks of blood-borne virus transmission. Self-efficacy is an important aspect of increasing influence and value, as the momentum required to influence is dependent on the individual IPCS or the strength and support of the team.
