Rachel Kroehler
Hamilton,MI
Summary
Lead Infection Preventionist with more than 16 years experience developing and implementing strategies to minimize hospital-acquired infections. Highly motivated to better the health and wellness of the community we serve.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Infection Preventionist
Ascension Borgess
12.2017 - Current
- Served as the interim Michigan Market Lead Infection Preventionist, participating on the MI Market Incident Command and Med Tech Team for COVID-19 preparedness
- Hand Hygiene chapter lead for Leapfrog
- Function as Infection Prevention lead, representing Ascension Michigan Southwest Region at the Ascension Michigan Market level
- Participate in numerous committees such as Joint Commission Chapter Leader, Hand Hygiene sub-committee, and Waterborne Pathogen Management
- Assist in the education of staff on new products and new regulations related to infection prevention
- Continually work to reduce healthcare-associated infections throughout the organization
- Previous Michigan Market IP Lead for various committees, such as influenza visitor restrictions and total joint surgery standardization
Infection Control Coordinator
Holland Hospital
05.2008 - 12.2017
- Provide training to all new employees regarding bloodborne pathogens, required vaccinations, and prevention of healthcare associated infections
- Instituted mandatory influenza vaccination for all employees, medical staff, and volunteers beginning in 2013
- Counsel employees and medical staff post exposure to blood and/or body fluids and initiate source testing
- Successfully implemented bleach cleaning for all patient rooms with an enteric precaution sign beginning in July 2013, leading to better than the national benchmark hospital-acquiredClostridium difficile rates.
Registered Nurse - Emergency Department
Holland Hospital
04.2005 - 11.2009
- Provided patient care to patients of all ages
- Trained new graduates and staff members
- Ensured timely communication with physicians and patient's families about changes in patient's condition
- Guided employees on night shift as team leader
Unit Technician Special Procedures Emergency Department
Holland Hospital
05.2001 - 04.2005
- Assisted nursing staff in the care of patients
- Performed electrocardiograms, point of care testing, wound care, and splinting
Education
MPH - Public Health
Michigan State University
2017
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Valley State University
2005
Bachelor of Arts - Microbiology
Miami University
2001
Skills
- Lead infection prevention with a 3 person team for 4 hospitals and over 70 ambulatory sites
- Knowledge of communicable disease reporting
- Development of outbreak investigation policies
- Proficient public speaker
- Maintain hospital-based infection prevention program
- Surveillance of hospital-acquired infections
- Knowledge of waterborne pathogen management
- Capable of working with leadership on important issues such as pandemic preparedness
- Work with infection preventionists from Ascension throughout Michigan and nationally
- Proficient in NHSN, MCIR, MDSS, and other systems
Certification
- Registered Nurse, certified by the State of Michigan, Board of Nursing (license # 4704248536, 06/25/2005-06/29/2024)
- Certification in Infection Control, certified by the Certification Board in Infection Control and Epidemiology (2010-December 31, 2025)
Timeline
Lead Infection Preventionist
Ascension Borgess
12.2017 - Current
Infection Control Coordinator
Holland Hospital
05.2008 - 12.2017
Registered Nurse - Emergency Department
Holland Hospital
04.2005 - 11.2009
Unit Technician Special Procedures Emergency Department
Holland Hospital
05.2001 - 04.2005
MPH - Public Health
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Grand Valley State University
Bachelor of Arts - Microbiology
Miami University
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