Celebrating Infection Prevention Week: Who Are Infection Preventionists and What Do They Do?

Infection Prevention Week is a special opportunity to celebrate the crucial work done by Norman Regional Health System’s Infection Prevention (IP) team. These unsung heroes work tirelessly to keep our patients, staff and community safe from the spread of harmful infections.

This week, we want to recognize our Infection Preventionists: Julie McCurley Smith, Gwen Harrington, Lea Ann Stephens and Brittany Tucker. To prove their dedication to the field each Norman Regional full-time IP is certified through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.

Who Are Infection Preventionists?

Infection preventionists (IPs) are specially trained professionals who come from diverse backgrounds, including nursing, public health, laboratory services and allied health fields. Their role is essential across various healthcare settings, from acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities to outpatient clinics and public health agencies.

IPs like Julie, Gwen, Lea Ann and Brittany serve as leaders, educators and collaborators who work to prevent infections in settings as varied as schools, behavioral health centers, correctional facilities and even manufacturers. Their skills are vital in promoting safety and impacting the health of everyone who comes through the doors of Norman Regional.

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What Do Infection Preventionists Do?

Infection preventionists don’t just work behind the scenes—they play an active role in promoting a culture of safety throughout Norman Regional Health System. They advocate for the health of patients, employees and the community by using the latest evidence-based practices and implementing infection prevention strategies that touch every corner of the organization.

According to Julie McCurley Smith, Infection Prevention is unique because of the wide range of people and departments it touches. “We interact with patients, visitors, employees, providers and the public,” she says, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the work. Whether it’s working with nursing, environmental services, materials management or decision support, the IP team relies on the entire organization to help prevent the spread of harmful organisms.

Infection Preventionist's Ongoing Impact at Norman Regional

One of the many ways our Infection Prevention team keeps us safe is through the use of transmission-based precautions alongside standard precautions. They’ve also recently implemented universal antimicrobial bathing for all adult inpatients at Norman Regional Hospital, providing an extra layer of protection during patients’ stays.

The team works closely with state and local health departments, including the Cleveland County Health Department and the Oklahoma State Department of Health, to report on conditions and organisms.

Additionally, they submit required information about healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help monitor infection rates and develop strategies for improvement.

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Collaborating for Safety

Infection prevention isn’t just about healthcare workers—it’s about building partnerships across departments and communities. Infection preventionists work with clinical teams, as well as operational teams such as food services, environmental services and facility maintenance professionals.

IPs are also essential in collaborating with public health officials, community partners, first responders and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and accrediting bodies.

A Health System-Wide Effort

At Norman Regional, infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility. It takes the collaboration of every department, from nursing and engineering to environmental services and laboratory teams, to create a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff. We are grateful to our Infection Prevention team for their dedication, expertise and passion for keeping us all safe.

This week, take a moment to appreciate and celebrate the work of Julie, Gwen, Lea Ann, Brittany, and all infection preventionists who make Norman Regional a safer place.