A Day for Infection Preventionists

“Prevent Protect Prevail: Advancing Infection Prevention Across the Continuum of Care”

November 6, 2026

CityPlace
112 South 1st Avenue
La Grange, KY 40031

The Kentucky Hospital Association’s Annual Day for Infection Preventionists returns on Friday, November 6, 2026!

Designed for infection preventionists and hospital clinical and quality leaders, KHA’s Day for Infection Preventionists (IP Day) explores the emerging challenges, technologies, partnerships, and leadership strategies shaping the future of infection prevention and patient safety. Attendees will gain practical insights on using AI for HAI prevention, antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship, workforce and succession planning, emerging infectious disease threats, accreditation, and organizational leadership — with actionable ideas they can take back to strengthen infection prevention efforts across their organizations. 

Register Now

Registration Cost: $100
Online Registration Deadline: October 29, 2026

Hotel Recommendation: Holiday Inn Express & Suites La Grange
Rate: Click here for best room rates

Keynote Spotlight
“Beyond the Checklist: The Stories We Don’t Tell About Infection Prevention, Quality, and the Courage to Lead”

Donna Gorby, MLD, BSN, RN 
Senior Standards Interpretation Specialist
Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC)

What separates infection prevention programs that merely comply from those that truly thrive? Drawing on experiences from accreditation surveys, executive leadership, and hospital quality improvement, this keynote explores the hidden organizational and cultural barriers that hold infection prevention programs back – and how courageous leadership can transform them into powerful drivers of patient safety.

Continuing Education

Kentucky Board of Nursing 
The Kentucky Hospital Association is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN). KBN approval of a continuing nursing education provider does not constitute endorsement of program content. This educational activity is offered for 4.8 contact hours, with offering number 5-0023-12-27-26, expiration date 12-31-27. No partial credit will be given. To receive credit, participants must attend the entire educational offering, provide their nursing license number, and complete the offering evaluation provided at the conclusion of the event. Failure to complete any step in the process outlined above will result in non-issuance of CEU credit in accordance with KBN guidelines.   

American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Qualified Education Credits 
By attending the Environment of Care Conference offered by the Kentucky Hospital Association, participants may earn up to 4 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation. 

Agenda

7:45 – 8:15 a.m. (ET)

Registration and Breakfast

8:15 – 8:30 a.m.

Welcome

Casey Franklin, BSN, RN, CPHQ, WCC, HACP-CMS
Associate Vice President of Quality and Health Professions
Kentucky Hospital Association

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Keynote: Beyond the Checklist: The Stories We Don’t Tell About Infection Prevention, Quality, and the Courage to Lead

Speaker:
Donna Gorby, MLD, BSN, RN 
Senior Standards Interpretation Specialist 
Accreditation Commission for Healthcare (ACHC) 

The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) partnered with UK HealthCare and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as part of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) to launch the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship (KY SOS) program.
 
The KY SOS Program is working with Kentucky hospitals to fight the opioid epidemic.  The program provides services to inpatient, outpatient primary care clinics, and has just expanded its bandwidth to include emergency departments (ED) across the Commonwealth. Reducing opioid overprescribing while improving safe opioid use in inpatient and primary care clinics in Kentucky continues to be the KY SOS mainstay and goal. With the addition of the ED Bridge program, KY SOS now addresses the full continuum of care for Kentucky patients, treatment of pain and treating those with opioid use disorder (OUD).
 
The newest initiative within KY SOS is the launch of the Emergency Department (ED) Bridge Program.  The main objective of the ED Bridge Program is to ensure patients with OUD receive 24/7 access to care.  EDs have an incredible opportunity to make OUD treatment accessible to all.  
 
The state has 11 ED Bridge Programs in place, making a difference in the lives of patients and their communities.  The KY SOS team will continue to expand the ED Bridge Programs into acute care hospital EDs across the state.  
 
The KY SOS ED Bridge Program goal is to increase access to treatment and assist patients in their road to recovery, thus saving lives in Kentucky communities.

What separates infection prevention programs that merely comply from those that truly thrive? Drawing on experiences from accreditation surveys, executive leadership, and hospital quality improvement, this keynote explores the hidden organizational and cultural barriers that hold infection prevention (IP) programs back – and how courageous leadership can transform them into powerful drivers of patient safety.  

Objectives:   

  • Identify organizational and cultural barriers that commonly limit the effectiveness of infection prevention programs. 
  • Interpret accreditation findings as opportunities to strengthen quality improvement, patient safety, and organizational performance rather than simply achieve regulatory compliance. 
  • Apply practical leadership strategies to build influence, engage stakeholders, and advance infection prevention initiatives across the continuum of care. 

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Networking Break with Sponsors

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Beyond the Bundle: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming HAI Prevention, Product Selection, and Patient Outcomes 

Speaker:
Dr. Hudson Garrett, PhD, MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, VA-BC, CALN, GDCN, PLNC, CDONA, IP-BC, AS-BC, CFER, CPPS, CPHQ, MSL-BC, CPXP, CCHR-T, DICO-C, NRAEMT, MLE, CVAHP, HACP, HACP-PE, HACP-IC, CHIPP-B, CMRP, LTC-CIP, CIC, CER, CPSO, CAIP, CPHFH, CHCP, CCWS, BC-IMP, BC-FMP, CPCHE, CDIPC, CAE, AL-CIP, FCMA, FAOM, FACDONA, FACHDM, FAAPM, FAPIC, FNAP, FAHVAP, FRSM, FRSPH, FSHEA, FIDSA, FACHE 
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine 
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine 
University of Louisville School of Medicine  

The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) partnered with UK HealthCare and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as part of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) to launch the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship (KY SOS) program.
 
The KY SOS Program is working with Kentucky hospitals to fight the opioid epidemic.  The program provides services to inpatient, outpatient primary care clinics, and has just expanded its bandwidth to include emergency departments (ED) across the Commonwealth. Reducing opioid overprescribing while improving safe opioid use in inpatient and primary care clinics in Kentucky continues to be the KY SOS mainstay and goal. With the addition of the ED Bridge program, KY SOS now addresses the full continuum of care for Kentucky patients, treatment of pain and treating those with opioid use disorder (OUD).
 
The newest initiative within KY SOS is the launch of the Emergency Department (ED) Bridge Program.  The main objective of the ED Bridge Program is to ensure patients with OUD receive 24/7 access to care.  EDs have an incredible opportunity to make OUD treatment accessible to all.  
 
The state has 11 ED Bridge Programs in place, making a difference in the lives of patients and their communities.  The KY SOS team will continue to expand the ED Bridge Programs into acute care hospital EDs across the state.  
 
The KY SOS ED Bridge Program goal is to increase access to treatment and assist patients in their road to recovery, thus saving lives in Kentucky communities.

Health care-associated infections remain a persistent threat to patient safety, and hospitals are under increasing pressure to prevent them with fewer resources. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers infection preventionists, value analysis professionals, and clinical leaders powerful new capabilities, from predictive surveillance and real-time risk stratification to evidence synthesis that strengthens product evaluation and purchasing decisions. This session examines how AI can be practically and responsibly integrated into HAI prevention programs, including its role in evidence-based product evaluation, organizational risk assessment, and outcome measurement. Participants will explore real-world applications, understand the limitations and governance considerations that accompany AI adoption, and leave with actionable strategies for using these tools to reduce infections, support clinical decision-making, and demonstrate improved outcomes across their organizations.  

Objectives:   

  • Describe current and emerging applications of artificial intelligence in health care-associated infection surveillance, prediction, and prevention. 
  • Apply AI-enabled tools and evidence-based methodologies to the evaluation and selection of infection prevention products and technologies. 
  • Integrate AI-supported risk assessment strategies into organizational infection prevention programs to improve clinical outcomes and demonstrate measurable value. 

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Success Planning: How to Address Infection Prevention and Control Workforce and Leadership Turnover and Changes 

Speaker:
Dr. Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CIC, FSHEA, FNAP, FAAN 
Senior Consultant 
Carrico & Ramirez, PLLC 

The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) partnered with UK HealthCare and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as part of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) to launch the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship (KY SOS) program.
 
The KY SOS Program is working with Kentucky hospitals to fight the opioid epidemic.  The program provides services to inpatient, outpatient primary care clinics, and has just expanded its bandwidth to include emergency departments (ED) across the Commonwealth. Reducing opioid overprescribing while improving safe opioid use in inpatient and primary care clinics in Kentucky continues to be the KY SOS mainstay and goal. With the addition of the ED Bridge program, KY SOS now addresses the full continuum of care for Kentucky patients, treatment of pain and treating those with opioid use disorder (OUD).
 
The newest initiative within KY SOS is the launch of the Emergency Department (ED) Bridge Program.  The main objective of the ED Bridge Program is to ensure patients with OUD receive 24/7 access to care.  EDs have an incredible opportunity to make OUD treatment accessible to all.  
 
The state has 11 ED Bridge Programs in place, making a difference in the lives of patients and their communities.  The KY SOS team will continue to expand the ED Bridge Programs into acute care hospital EDs across the state.  
 
The KY SOS ED Bridge Program goal is to increase access to treatment and assist patients in their road to recovery, thus saving lives in Kentucky communities.

The role and job responsibilities for the infection preventionist remain a continual stage of evolution. Consequently, the responsibilities for program maintenance, vision, growth, and stability extend beyond those in leadership roles and involve department staffing and the health care workforce in general. This session will explore succession planning as a means of program maintenance, growth, and stability and provide practical approaches that align with the changes in health care as well as the strategic vision of health care organizations.   

Objectives:   

  • Review basic responsibilities of the infection prevention and control department as the basis for staffing decisions. 
  • Translate those responsibilities into those necessary for short- and long-term management and leadership. 
  • Use those responsibilities to outline a basic strategy for succession planning as a means for sustainable operations. 

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Bugs, Drugs, and Daily Doubles: The Infection Prevention Challenge 

KHA Quality Team 

The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) partnered with UK HealthCare and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as part of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) to launch the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship (KY SOS) program.
 
The KY SOS Program is working with Kentucky hospitals to fight the opioid epidemic.  The program provides services to inpatient, outpatient primary care clinics, and has just expanded its bandwidth to include emergency departments (ED) across the Commonwealth. Reducing opioid overprescribing while improving safe opioid use in inpatient and primary care clinics in Kentucky continues to be the KY SOS mainstay and goal. With the addition of the ED Bridge program, KY SOS now addresses the full continuum of care for Kentucky patients, treatment of pain and treating those with opioid use disorder (OUD).
 
The newest initiative within KY SOS is the launch of the Emergency Department (ED) Bridge Program.  The main objective of the ED Bridge Program is to ensure patients with OUD receive 24/7 access to care.  EDs have an incredible opportunity to make OUD treatment accessible to all.  
 
The state has 11 ED Bridge Programs in place, making a difference in the lives of patients and their communities.  The KY SOS team will continue to expand the ED Bridge Programs into acute care hospital EDs across the state.  
 
The KY SOS ED Bridge Program goal is to increase access to treatment and assist patients in their road to recovery, thus saving lives in Kentucky communities.

Join your colleagues and friends in a little bit of Jeopardy-style learning fun! Explore your knowledge and pick up tidbits and tricks on many crucial and timely topics, such as PPE, new IP practice trends, emerging pathogens, diagnostic stewardship, and more! 

2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Networking Break with Sponsors

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention: Partnering to Improve Patient Outcomes and Reduce HAIs 

Speaker:
Dr. Matthew Song, PharmD, BCIDP 
Supervisor, Infectious Disease Pharmacist 
Chair, Norton Antimicrobial Stewardship Program 

The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) partnered with UK HealthCare and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as part of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) to launch the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship (KY SOS) program.
 
The KY SOS Program is working with Kentucky hospitals to fight the opioid epidemic.  The program provides services to inpatient, outpatient primary care clinics, and has just expanded its bandwidth to include emergency departments (ED) across the Commonwealth. Reducing opioid overprescribing while improving safe opioid use in inpatient and primary care clinics in Kentucky continues to be the KY SOS mainstay and goal. With the addition of the ED Bridge program, KY SOS now addresses the full continuum of care for Kentucky patients, treatment of pain and treating those with opioid use disorder (OUD).
 
The newest initiative within KY SOS is the launch of the Emergency Department (ED) Bridge Program.  The main objective of the ED Bridge Program is to ensure patients with OUD receive 24/7 access to care.  EDs have an incredible opportunity to make OUD treatment accessible to all.  
 
The state has 11 ED Bridge Programs in place, making a difference in the lives of patients and their communities.  The KY SOS team will continue to expand the ED Bridge Programs into acute care hospital EDs across the state.  
 
The KY SOS ED Bridge Program goal is to increase access to treatment and assist patients in their road to recovery, thus saving lives in Kentucky communities.

This presentation on Antimicrobial Stewardship will explore how Infection Prevention professionals can partner with stewardship programs to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care-associated infections. The goal is to provide attendees with practical, real-world insights and strategies they can take back to their organizations and put into practice.  

Objectives:   

  • Describe how antimicrobial stewardship teams and infection prevention (IP) can work together to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care-associated infections (HAIs). 
  • Apply diagnostic stewardship principles to promote appropriate diagnostic testing, reduce unnecessary testing, and minimize avoidable antimicrobial treatment. 
  • Identify opportunities for collaboration across departments to strengthen diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship efforts and support consistent, evidence-based patient care. 

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Emerging Threats Update: What is Keeping Kentucky IPs Up at Night? What Every IP Needs to Know in 2026-2027  

Speaker:
Cody Rocha, MPH, MPA, CIC, LTC-CIP, PMP 
Outbreak Response Lead  
Kentucky Department for Public Health 
Healthcare-Associated Infection/Antibiotic Resistance Prevention Program 

The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) partnered with UK HealthCare and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as part of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) to launch the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship (KY SOS) program.
 
The KY SOS Program is working with Kentucky hospitals to fight the opioid epidemic.  The program provides services to inpatient, outpatient primary care clinics, and has just expanded its bandwidth to include emergency departments (ED) across the Commonwealth. Reducing opioid overprescribing while improving safe opioid use in inpatient and primary care clinics in Kentucky continues to be the KY SOS mainstay and goal. With the addition of the ED Bridge program, KY SOS now addresses the full continuum of care for Kentucky patients, treatment of pain and treating those with opioid use disorder (OUD).
 
The newest initiative within KY SOS is the launch of the Emergency Department (ED) Bridge Program.  The main objective of the ED Bridge Program is to ensure patients with OUD receive 24/7 access to care.  EDs have an incredible opportunity to make OUD treatment accessible to all.  
 
The state has 11 ED Bridge Programs in place, making a difference in the lives of patients and their communities.  The KY SOS team will continue to expand the ED Bridge Programs into acute care hospital EDs across the state.  
 
The KY SOS ED Bridge Program goal is to increase access to treatment and assist patients in their road to recovery, thus saving lives in Kentucky communities.

This session will review emerging and evolving infectious disease threats facing Kentucky health care facilities in 2026-2027. Drawing on recent outbreak investigations and statewide surveillance data, the presentation will outline what facilities should be watching for in the coming year.   

Objectives: 

  • Identify emerging and evolving infectious disease threats and infection prevention challenges that may impact Kentucky health care facilities in 2026-2027. 
  • Describe current and anticipated infection prevention concerns, including changes in epidemiology, multidrug-resistant organisms, novel pathogens, and other threats requiring enhanced surveillance and preparedness. 
  • Apply practical strategies and available resources to strengthen facility surveillance, preparedness, and response to emerging infection prevention threats. 

 

4:30 p.m.

Wrap Up

Casey Franklin, BSN, RN, CPHQ, WCC, HACP-CMS
Associate Vice President of Quality and Health Professions
Kentucky Hospital Association

Special Needs 
KHA wishes to take all steps necessary to ensure no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated, or otherwise treated differently than other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services. If you need any such assistance or services, please contact KHA at 502-426-6220. 

Cancellation Policy 
Written notice of registration cancellation must be received more than 14 days prior to the event are eligible for a refund, less a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received within 14 days of the event, including no-shows. Substitutions from the same organization are welcome at any time prior to the event. 

For more information, contact KHA:
Casey Franklin   |   cfranklin@kyha.com
Associate VP of Quality & Health Professions

Lauren Wheatley   |   lwheatley@kyha.com
Director of Education & Events

Kris Allen   |   kallen@kyha.com
Events Manager