Paula Castellano-Flynn

• Provide expertise in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in healthcare facilities including acute care, long term care and community health departments, collaborating with state and local health departments including NJ DOH, PA DOH, and CT DOH.
• Expert witness in Infection prevention and control for medical malpractice
• Content expert in development of IPC educational program with NACCHO and the CDC.
• LTCF consulting specialist – ICAR assessment of IP Program; identify deficient areas to inform Education and training. High risk organisms such as MDRO and XDRO; outbreak prevention.
• High risk pathogen training for clinical staff in NYHA associated Hospitals

• Grant funded for COVID-19 response.- Virtual and on site oversight of infection prevention practices in healthcare facilities experiencing outbreaks.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive public health solutions for disease outbreaks.
• Conducted comprehensive training sessions for healthcare staff on best practices in infection control and implemented infection prevention protocols to enhance patient safety standards.
• Developed targeted educational materials to raise awareness among patients, families, and visitors about the importance of infection prevention measures.
• Assisted with regulatory compliance efforts by conducting audits, addressing deficiencies, and providing guidance on necessary improvements related to infection control standards.

Dept. of Infectious Diseases – Infection Preventionist/Nurse Epidemiologist

• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to prevent and control healthcare associated infections within an acute care, 350 bed hospital system.
• Responsible for hospital and community surveillance, reporting to local and state health departments, NHSN reporting, regulatory compliance and survey readiness.
• Education of healthcare employees in Infection Prevention principles and applications, in order to prevent and control transmission of hospital acquired infections,
• Chair of Surgical Site Infection Committee, collaborating with surgeons, leadership and OR staff
• Facilitator of hospital-wide Infection Prevention Coach Training program,
• Patient and family education in infectious diseases,
• COVID-19 preparedness for all hospital employees throughout the hospital system.

• Six month, grant funded assignment with the New York State Department of Public Health, Epidemiology team, to contain the spread of COVID-19 within the New York Metropolitan region.
• Telecommunication, virtual, and on site visits with healthcare facilities experiencing outbreaks. Performed assessment of infection prevention practices and provided staff education and guidance in best practices to mitigate and prevent further transmission of SARS CoV2.

• Perioperative care of patients, patient and family education, monitoring, and safe discharge to home. Infection Control resource nurse for staff in care of patient with multi-drug resistant organisms and transmissible diseases.

• Responsible for Infection control surveillance and reporting, MDRO prevention and containment, education of staff, TB screening and Influenza Program.

• Implemented and maintained Infection Control surveillance program and reporting to Local and State Departments of Public Health, regulatory rounding and compliance, implemented and maintained policies to prevent transmission of healthcare associated infections including MDRO Isolation precautions, orientation of new employees and ongoing staff education, and patient and family education. Oversight of employee health program including TB screening, flu vaccine, and communicable illness.

• Care of post-anesthesia general surgical patients.

• Case management of med-surg patients and high tech care including staff education and supervision in the home setting.

• IV and PICC Insertions and maintenance

• .Directed nursing staff to ensure adherence to best practices and quality care standards.
• Implemented training programs to enhance team skills and improve patient outcomes.
• Monitored departmental budgets and resource allocation for operational efficiency.
• Assisted primary investigators in anesthesia related clinical trials. Data collection in OR and PACU. Compiled and organized statistical data for professional journal publication.