The APIC Graduate Student Award (AGSA) supports research that advances infection prevention and evidence-based implementation science. The award is given to a student seeking to complete a master’s or doctoral degree.
For the purpose of this funding opportunity, implementation science is defined as research that creates new knowledge about how best to design, implement, and evaluate quality improvement initiatives. The most competitive applications will focus on implementation science, demonstrating its value and implications for infection prevention and quality efforts across clinical settings.
Application Process:
The 2022-23 application period is currently open, please apply here. If you have any questions reach out to us at research@apic.org.
Award recipients receive:
The award provides a total of $5,000 for project costs.
The recipients of the AGSA present their findings at the APIC Annual Conference and/or prepare a manuscript for submission to the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC).
Recipients of the AGSA:
| Name | Year | Dissertation | Dissertation abstract | Session presented at APIC annual conference |
| Janina-Marie Tatar | 2022 | Examining Healthcare Worker Hand Hygiene Compliance Influences in an Acute Psychiatric Hospital | Although hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the transmission of microorganisms, healthcare workers consistently have low hand hygiene compliance leading to an increase in hospital-acquired infections, employee call-offs, and organizational revenue loss. Furthermore, psychiatric healthcare worker hand hygiene compliance and influences are not well studied. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the capacity of psychiatric nurses and milieu therapists (PMNTs) to achieve 90% HH compliance on each unit at Edgewood Psychiatric Hospital (pseudonym). The inquiry will center on their knowledge, motivation, and organizational influences related to the appropriate use of HH protocols through the lens of a modified gap analysis framework developed by Clark and Estes (2008). | TBD 2023 |
Award paused due to pandemic. | 2021 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Linda McKinley, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC, FAPIC | 2020 | Evaluation of the Impact of Infection Prevention and Control Programs and Practices on Healthcare-Associated Infections within the Veterans Health Administration in Acute Care Facilities: A Mixed Methods Study | Implementation of evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) practices can lead to reductions in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Implementation of these practices is often delayed and difficult to sustain overtime. The VA has rolled out major initiatives using evidence-based infection prevention bundles (i.e., multiple IPC practices implemented concurrently) to prevent HAIs caused by multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO). While national evaluation of HAIs following implementation of IPC infection prevention bundles have been analyzed and reported, evaluation of individual bundle components on HAIs within the VA have not been evaluated. | N/A, conference cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| Darlene Carey, DNP, RN, CIC, FAPIC | 2019 | The Impact of Discontinuing Contact Precautions for Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) | Recent literature indicates that the discontinuance of CPs and the application of standard precautions (SPs) for MDRO colonization and infection is an effective infection prevention strategy, as it decreases associated costs without increasing infection risks or adverse events. The objective of this project is to evaluate the effects on MDRO hospital-onset infection rates, overall patient experience scores and associated financial costs when making a practice change from CPs to SPs for MDRO colonization and infection. | The Impact of Discontinuing Contact Precautions for Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) |
| Tara Millson, MSN, RN, CIC | 2018 | Implementation of the AHRQ ESRD Safety Program in an Outpatient Hemodialysis Center | Infection Preventionists have been successful in implementing practices which reduce infection in acute care settings, but few dialysis facilities have an Infection Preventionist overseeing their infection control practices. This project will examine the effect of the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) model on the culture of safety and staff adherence. | Infection Prevention in Dialysis: The Culture of safety and Adherence to Infection Control Standards |
| Mary Jo Knobloch, MPH, PhD | 2017 | Leadership Rounds to Reduce Healthcare-associated Infections: A Case Study Approach, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy, Social and Administrative Sciences Divsion. | There is evidence to support the use of Leadership Rounds and leadership has been identified as an important contextual factor when implementing evidence-based practices to reduce healthcare-associated infections. However, discovering specific leader communication factors and Leadership Round logistical considerations that contribute to psychological safety among staff may be poweful in moving evidence to practice in reducing healthcare-associated infections. | Leadership Rounds to Reduce Healthcare-associated Infections: A Case Study |
| Deb Patterson Burdsall, PhD, RN-BC, CIC, FAPIC | 2016 | Exploring Inappropriate Glove Use in Long-Term Care, University of Iowa, School of Nursing. | Results of this study indicate that healthcare professionals (HCP) used gloves inappropriately in a long-term care facility. HCPs failed to change gloves 66% of the time when a glove change was indicated. Over 44% of the HCP gloved touch points were identified as contaminated. | “To glove or not to glove, that is the question: Glove use in acute and long-term care” |