Tewodros Terefe
Infection Control
Kent,WA
Summary
Summary of experiences and qualifications
- Subject matter expert on IPC, contributed for the development of 12 national level IPC guidelines and tools.
- Experienced leader on IPC; from leading IPC team and committee at hospital level to leading a team of IPC experts at national level, during COVID-19 outbreak.
- Served as a member and secretary of the national IPC Technical Working Group (TWG), advisory to the MOH, Ethiopia.
- Worked as a senior technical advisor for IPC and IPC technical area lead for USAID nationwide project in Ethiopia.
- Worked frontline for preparedness and response to pandemic such as COVID-19 and H1N1 including local outbreaks, AWD, and RF.
- Over 13 years of in depth experience on IPC, practicing at hospital level, NGO, and as national level advisory for IPC activities.
- Lead IPC trainer, trained over 1200 healthcare professionals which includes; Physicians, Nurses, Laboratory technicians, and support/ancillary staff.
- Contributed for development of National IPC training materials for face to face and e-learning training, Ethiopia.
- IPC consultant; worked with the Ethiopian MOH, NGOs, and hospitals on IPC projects.
- Participates at local and international conferences, sharing IPC experiences with the global scientific community.
- Public health professional and epidemiologist with extensive experience on disease and Healthcare associated Infection surveillance and response.
- Public health lecturer, mentor and research advisor
- Contributed for the design of preparedness and response protocol for outbreaks, including of HAI outbreaks, initiate protocol during in the case of outbreaks.
- Continuously stay updated on infection prevention and control and prevention of HAI, by taking short term courses, joining IPC associations ,and reading journals and publications
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Technical Advisor- IPC
Management Sciences for Health
08.2019 - 12.2023
- Managed multiple high-priority projects (IPC, Antimicrobial Stewardship, COVID-19, national IPC Technical Working Group) simultaneously while consistently meeting the project target and deadlines.
- Lead IPC technical area under Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) prevention and containment program at USAID funded Medicines Technologies and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS)
- Collaborated with 30 hospitals across Ethiopia to establish and strengthen IPC program in the hospitals, with in the target set for the project implementation period.
- Provided direct all rounded technical support and oversight establishment of functional IPC committees, with clear objectives and plans, in all of the 30 hospitals.
- Worked closely with the hospitals’ management team to sensitize the significance of IPC and lobbied for prioritization of IPC agenda and allocation of resources for IPC interventions.
- Designed IPC monitoring tool for over 30 hospitals, that helped the hospitals identify the IPC gaps, plan and implement evidence based interventions, and measure the improvements.
- Led QI project on hand hygiene compliance improvement at 8 hospitals , which resulted improvement on hand hygiene compliance by 35% in 2023.
- Provided technical assistance to the hospitals that empowered them to design and implement IPC improvement interventions in 71% of the hospitalsI supported..
- Helped hospitals to improve their IPC performances by an average of 22.5% from the baseline, in one year (2020)
- Worked with the local health department and the Ministry of health to conduct periodic IPC practice audit among the hospitals and supported the hospitals to deploy continuous quality improvement approach for sustainable improvement on IPC.
- Successfully guided the hospitals to meet the target set on the baseline.
- Supported the 30 hospitals to develop IPC protocols for Hand hygiene, Medical instrument disinfection and sterilization, healthcare waste management, transmission based precaution, … in accordance with the CDC, and the national IPC guideline.
- Championed best practices in documentation, leading to an increase in team efficiency and consistency across the 30 hospitals and beyond.
- Led COVID-19 IPC preparedness and response project under USAID-MTaPS program, in Ethiopia.
- Participated in the development of the National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID 19 and, corresponding training materials for healthcare workers.
- Actively participated and provided technical guidance to the national COVID19 emergency operation center (EOC) in designing of COVID-19 isolation and treatment facilities with a strict adherence to regulatory standards.
- Contributed for the designing of COVID-19 health facility preparedness and readiness assessment tool and conduct assessment using the tool to evaluate the readiness of COVID-19 patient isolation and treatment centers.
- Supervised 9 IPC consultants assigned to provide direct technical support to regional COVID-19 EOCs
- Presented two abstracts on success achieved on the IPC and COVID-19 to a global scientific community at the 'American Public Health Association annual congress (APHA)', November 6-9, 2022, Boston.
- Streamlined processes by identifying redundancies and implementing necessary improvements.
Lecturer in Public Health
St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College
10.2017 - 07.2019
- Participated in reviewing of St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, School of Medicine curriculum and contributed for the inclusion of IPC session in to the curriculum's module.
- Designed and taught courses in epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, and disease surveillance for undergraduate and post graduate medical students, nurses and public health students.
- Worked as field epidemiology program coordinator at the school of public health, which is modeled after the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program and funded by CDC.
- Selected and designed lesson plans and curriculum to meet academic objectives.
- Advised and mentor students on epidemiological research projects and developing a study design.
- Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
- Developed strong relationships with colleagues, collaborating on curriculum development and sharing best practices in teaching strategies.
- Worked as undergraduate medical students research program coordinator at the school of public health.
- Conduct research on public health issues.
- Contributed for development of national outbreak preparedness and response protocol.
Quality Management Department Head
St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College
07.2016 - 10.2017
- Collaborated with department heads and developed a 5 year (2017-2022) Quality improvement strategy for the hospital.
- Designed and implemented eight quality improvement projects from (2016 – 2018), in collaboration with the hospital IPC team, nursing department, and other clinical departments, using up-to-date scientific approach.
- Facilitate the use of evidence, including findings and recommendations from QI projects, for improving IPC practice in the hospital.
- Through the IPC committee and IPC team, led an initiative to secure a grant of $5000 or 175,000 Ethiopian birr (year-2016-2018) annually for funding IPC focused quality improvement projects (IPC).
- Provided information to hospital committees and department managers to formulate changes in policies, procedures and processes which could reduce the spread of infection.
- Enforced organizational rules and incorporated policy changes into departments' day-to-day activities.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and recognition of accomplishments among employees.
- Mentored junior team members, providing guidance and support to foster professional growth and success.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through proactive problem-solving measures using client satisfaction surveys.
- Served as a liaison between the clinical departments and the hospital's administration, facilitating strong collaboration and relationships that contributed to successful quality improvement programs.
IPC Team Lead
St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College
10.2011 - 06.2017
- Ensured application of recommended IPC practices based on the national, CDC and WHO IPC guidelines.
- Ensure healthcare workers adhere to recommended standard and transmission based infection prevention precautions including appropriate use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, healthcare waste management, isolation precautions, and other precautions.
- Facilitate and participate in the development of hospital level IPC protocols, SOPs, and IPC performance monitoring and reporting tools, derived from the IPC guidelines.
- Design and deployed an induction IPC training program for new employees to receive training on IPC at the time of employment.
- Promotes awareness programs on topics like antibiotic resistance, hand hygiene, and sterilization practices ‘Hand washing day’
- Lead the hospital IPC team to develop annual IPC plan and corresponding activity implementation and progress tracking tool
- Conduct bi weekly rounds in patient wards and outpatient departments, nursing units, emergency unit, medical equipment sterilization units, laboratory, laundry, food preparation and handling, and overall cleanliness and sanitation of the hospital infrastructure and compound; using structured observation checklist.
- Provide feedback on observation findings to units, compile observation report, and present findings during the bi-monthly IPC committee meeting.
- Designed a 5 year IPC strategy (2013-2018) for the hospital, including formulating a organizational structure for IPC, developed IPC plan annually, developed corresponding M&E tools, IPC protocols for SOPs.
- Developed and facilitated the use of IPC compliance evaluation tool and regularly conduct ward rounds.
- Regularly provide feedback to departments and wards on the level of adherence to the IPC policies and guidelines, based on the IPC compliance evaluation tool.
- IPC committee chair: Leads IPC committee meetings, setting agendas and facilitating discussions among members, and facilitate the use of identified gaps and recommendations to improve IPC practices.
Risk management officer
St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College
02.2004 - 03.2017
- Annually for funding quality improvement projects by the hospital’s scientific community and availing the hospital’s HAI data for the QI projects
- Participated in the development of SPHMMC’s risk management protocol, that is aligned with the legal and national regulatory standards
- Ensure the hospital comply with the federal, state and local safety regulations and laws, including OSHA
- Proactively conduct routine risk assessment in the hospital to identify and analyze health hazards, design and implement risk mitigation interventions informed by the risk assessment, and monitor the risk management system
- Perform risk evaluation for healthcare workers who experienced occupational exposure to infectious agents (blood, body fluids or sharps), to determine eligibility for post exposure prophylaxis, and provide consultation and counseling on the necessary measures taken.
- Timely collects incident reports, and collaborate with clinical and administrative staff in the investigation of the incident and implement corrective action
- Facilitate risk minimizing initiatives such as IPC programs, accident and fall prevention, injection and medication safety practices
- Participated in the development of the hospital’s emergency preparedness and response protocol, and worked to ensure adherence of the staff to the protocol
- Provide training to staff on risk management practices, safety protocols, and compliance requirements
Enironmental Health Officer
St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College
10.2008 - 09.2016
- Safeguarded water quality through regular microbiological and physico-chemical testing and proactive management of potential contamination sources.
- Identified and mitigated risks in hazardous healthcare waste management, preventing exposure to the environment and local communities.
- Complied with applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and reported all unsafe practices.
- Provide technical input to the hospital’s engineering department in construction and renovation of sanitation facilities; septic tanks, placenta pits, installation/building of waste disposal facilities (e.g. incinerators).
- Developed standard operating procedures for food preparation and handling, monitor food handlers hygiene and health status (routine medical check-up), and conducting regular auditing and feedback.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the state, and federal and international levels, facilitates compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and stays current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.
- Reviews, analyzes, and implements regulations, standards, and/or guidelines of applicable governmental agencies, accreditation bodies, and professional organizations.
- Participates with hospital and community education by planning, developing and presenting programs as requested for patients, family and employees.
Education
Masters of Public Health (MPH) - General Public Health
Addis Ababa University (SPH)
01.2013
Professional Diploma - Infection control
Egyptian Ministry of Health, MOH Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia01.2012
B.Sc - public health (Environmental Health)
Haramaya University
01.2007
Skills
- Training and mentoring
- Risk and incident management
- Tech-Savvy
- Training curriculum design
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking Abilities
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
- Decision-making
Accomplishments
- Received letter of recognition from the former Minster of Health Ethiopia, Dr. Lia Tadesse, for my dedication and commitment in serving patients during H1N1 flu pandemic, 2009.
- Received a certificate of appreciation from USAID Ethiopia, for my contribution to the success of USAID MTaPS - AMR project in Ethiopia, 2023.
- Contributed for 13 national guidelines and materials on IPC in Ethiopia.
- Certificate of achievement for valued contribution for USAID MTaPS project, Ethiopia, December 31, 2023
- Led St.Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College to win the Ethiopian Hospital Alliance for Quality (EHAQ) award, 2008 E.C.
- Got certificate of appreciation for my dedication to health service at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College. March, 2018
- Received a letter of recognition from Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital for my contribution on improving of the hospital’s quality of service. 2019
- Presented a webinar at quality of care network, best practice about SPHMMC’s Clean And Safe Health facility (CASH)/ initiative infection prevention and patient safety (IPPS), report is published on ww.qualityofcarenetwork.org -2018
- Received certificate award for organizing annual research workshop, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College. (twice) August 2017 and August 2018
- Presented quality improvement project at the international congresses on ‘Congress on Health in Africa, July 2017, Istanbul, Turkey
- Presented the following abstracts at the annual American Public Health Association conference, 2022.
1. Strengthening infection prevention and control to enhance preparedness and response for COVID 19 emergencies in Ethiopia
2. Strengthening infection prevention and control to reduce vulnerabilities to infectious diseases: The case of Ethiopia
Certification
- Professional Diploma in Infection Control, Egyptian Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Ministry of Health, 03/31/12
- Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), WHO, 04/03/09
- Supervisory Skill Training, USAID-Jhpiego, 06/26/15
- TOT Training on Infection Prevention and Patient Safety, WHO and Ministry of Health, Ethiopia, 12/24/10
- International Clinical Micro Research Training, Ethio-Canada MR Training Initiative, 09/30/15
Affiliations
- Member of Association for Professionals in Infection control and Epidemiology (APIC) - Professional Member.
- Ethiopian Public Health Association, Member
Awards
- EHAQ Award, 01/01/08, Led SPHMMC’s quality management department to win the Ethiopian Hospital Alliance for Quality.
- Certificate of Appreciation, 03/01/18, For dedication to health service at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College.
Technical document contributions
Guidelines development contributions: Contributor for national guidelines and materials on IPC in Ethiopia.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Amharic
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Technical Advisor- IPC
Management Sciences for Health
08.2019 - 12.2023
Lecturer in Public Health
St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College
10.2017 - 07.2019
Quality Management Department Head
St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College
07.2016 - 10.2017
IPC Team Lead
St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College
10.2011 - 06.2017
Enironmental Health Officer
St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College
10.2008 - 09.2016
Risk management officer
St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College
02.2004 - 03.2017
B.Sc - public health (Environmental Health)
Haramaya University
- Professional Diploma in Infection Control, Egyptian Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Ministry of Health, 03/31/12
- Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), WHO, 04/03/09
- Supervisory Skill Training, USAID-Jhpiego, 06/26/15
- TOT Training on Infection Prevention and Patient Safety, WHO and Ministry of Health, Ethiopia, 12/24/10
- International Clinical Micro Research Training, Ethio-Canada MR Training Initiative, 09/30/15
Masters of Public Health (MPH) - General Public Health
Addis Ababa University (SPH)
Professional Diploma - Infection control
Egyptian Ministry of Health, MOH Ethiopia
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