Predictors of certification in infection prevention and control among infection preventionists: APIC MegaSurvey findings.
BACKGROUND
The 2015 APIC MegaSurvey was completed by 4,078 members to assess infection prevention practices. This study's purpose was to examine MegaSurvey results to relate infection preventionist (IP) certification status with demographic characteristics, organizational structure, compensation benefits, and practice and competency factors.


METHODS
Descriptive statistics were used to examine population characteristics and certification status. Bivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships between independent variables and certification status. Variables demonstrating statistical significance (P <.05) were included in multivariable logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
Forty-seven percent of survey respondents had their CIC. IPs were less likely certified if their educational attainment was less than a bachelor's degree, they were aged 18-45 years, they worked in rural facilities, they had <16 years' experience in health care before becoming an IP, and the percentage of job dedicated to infection prevention was <75%. However, certification was associated with CIC benefit paid fully by employer, self-rating as proficient and expert-advanced, and surveillance and epidemiologic investigation competency obtained via professional development and training.


CONCLUSIONS
CIC attainment was associated with IP characteristics. Additional research should focus on identifying strategies to increase certification among noncertified IPs because CIC is a measure of proficiency that should be a goal for all IPs.
['Kalp|Ericka L|EL|', 'Harris|Jeanette J|JJ|', 'Zawistowski|Grace|G|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D002568:Certification D003710:Demography D005260:Female D006801:Humans D016357:Infection Control Practitioners D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D055815:Young Adult
Predictors of certification Certification Infection prevention and control Infection preventionist APIC MegaSurvey APIC competency model for the infection preventionist