Esther Inez Munoz

Collaboration and forward thinking

Esther Inez Munoz, RN, BSN, CIC
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix, AZ

As part of an initiative led by Child Healthcare Corporation of America, Ether Munoz, RN, BSN, CIC, collaborated with other pediatric facilities to implement practices aimed at reducing catheter-associated bloodstream infections.

Munoz was instrumental in the introduction to Phonex Children’s Hospital of a new catheter intermittent cap, skin prep and central line dressing. Her diligence has continued to help reduce catheter-associated bloodstream infections rates as close to zero infections as possible, and saving the hospital money.

“The biggest challenge is sustaining the lower rates and then getting them down to a zero level,” said Munoz. “That takes a lot.”

In addition to her efforts to reduce catheter-associated bloodstream infections, Munoz continues to work at curbing the transmission of other healthcare-associated infections among patients by educating new graduate nurses and keeping staff informed of visitor restrictions and isolation precautions. Munoz is also involved in community projects aimed at bringing attention to infection prevention by taking her knowledge of the topic into her community and by writing handouts for public distribution on topics such as drug-resistant organisms and influenza. In addition, she volunteers as a nurse at summer camps.