Alumni Spotlight - Liana Rodriguez, MPH

Alumni Spotlight - Liana Rodriguez, MPH

I started my public health career working part time as a data entry clerk for North Shore University Hospital in the infection control department and as a public health aide for the Nassau county department of health working on restaurant permits and perform inspections for the summer food program sites to ensure the food safety. For 2 years I worked as an infection control data analyst at NYU Langone Hospital— Long Island (formerly NYU Winthrop). The past year I started a new position as an Infection Preventionist where I am assigned to cover five inpatient units like the Medical Intensive Care Unit. As an IP, I ensure that patients and employees are safe in the hospital especially when a patient has an infectious disease where they need isolation precautions such as COVID-19, Influenza, Clostridium difficile, Candida Auris and many more. My daily work also includes reviewing lab results to detect trends with micro organisms, surveillance for hospital acquired infections with surgeries, central venous access devices and urinary catheters as well as reporting diseases to various health departments. When rounding on my units I observe hand washing in and out of patient rooms, observe proper PPE usage, inspect patients with central lines/urinary catheters to ensure these devices are being maintained according to our policies and educate staff on disinfecting their equipment. Infection prevention and control has always been important part of public health and safety but as we continue to fight against COVID-19 we are reminded by how important it really is.