Beware of the 'I Know It All' Syndrome: The Hidden Cost of Silos in Infection Prevention

How healthcare executives and infection prevention and control (IPC) leaders can partner for safer, smarter care. 

Dear executive healthcare leader, 

You are trusted as a leader and have much to account for. The weight of financial performance, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and workforce well-being often falls on your shoulders. You’re accountable to your board, your community and your conscience. The pressure feels immense. But the good news is you’re not alone in this.   

You’ve likely built strong alliances across your leadership team to meet organizational goals. But have you overlooked one of your most powerful allies? Your Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) program. When IPC is overlooked, the consequences can be costly.  

Let’s Talk About the “I Know It All” Syndrome 

The “I Know It All” Syndrome happens when leaders make decisions in silos and dismiss the expertise from departments like IPC that may not always be in the spotlight. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) might not feel like your area and may even seem disconnected from your strategic priorities. But the truth is, building a relationship with your IPC team could be one of the best decisions you make for your organization’s long-term success.  

IPC Is More Than Just Patient Safety 

IPC professionals aren’t just guardians of patient safety. They protect your workforce, your reputation, and, yes, your organization’s bottom line. When well-resourced and supported, their work has a ripple effect on your operations, compliance, financial performance and reputation. And the financial savings are significant. We’re not just talking about saving a few thousand dollars. We’re talking millions. 

The Numbers Don’t Lie 

The costs of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are alarming regardless of where you are in the world: 

• One HAI costs on average $31,000 per case in the U.S. (AHRQ 2017 study, Link to study). Multiply that by 10 cases and that’s $310,000 in avoidable, non-reimbursable costs. In 2025, these numbers are likely much higher due to inflation and other economic variables.  

• In Africa, one HAI costs approximately $500 and leads to economic losses of about $2,715 (Journal of Hospital Infection 2024 study, (Link to study). 

These numbers communicate that HAIs are bad news for any organization of any size regardless of its location and economic power.  

How Executive Leaders Can Shift the Narrative  

If you want your organization to thrive and not just survive, here are three key steps:  

• Build a relationship with your IPC team. Take the time to understand their work and the barriers they face.  

• Connect safety metrics to your KPIs. IPC leaders understand how infection prevention connects to your organizational goals. Their insights can help protect your strategic outcomes.

• Visit the frontline and listen. Engage with those closest to the patients (your clients) to understand their challenges and learn how their insights can contribute to strategic goals.  

What IPC Leaders Are Saying     

In a recent poll, I asked IPC leaders about their biggest challenges. 33% reported a lack of leadership support as their biggest concern. 

This number tells us that IPC leaders don’t just need your support but they value it. When you engage with them, you help establish a strong foundation and contribute to your organization’s long-term success. 

Real-life Successes: When IPC is a Partner, Everyone Wins 

One healthcare system I worked with saved over $570,000 in 100 days by optimizing its IPC program. The organization was dealing with a sudden increase in HAIs, ineffective systems, and low workforce engagement. When I stepped in, I engaged every level of the organization from the C-suite to the most overlooked frontline worker.  

We assessed system inefficiencies, identified opportunities for improvement and secured strong leadership buy-in. The results included: 

• Decreased HAI rates by 33% 

• Increased frontline engagement 

• Improved systems 

This success played a key role in the organization achieving Magnet recognition, demonstrating its commitment to healthcare quality and patient safety.  

There are more stories like this: 

• Three healthcare organizations we worked with avoided major fines by proactively assessing and improving IPC operations before state surveys. 

• A new infection preventionist, aizebhughele kelvin , reduced HAI rates by 30% and increased patient satisfaction by 60% in just 3 months after receiving coaching through our Powerful IP™ program. To date, he has built two IPC programs from the ground up and earned buy-in from leadership and the frontline.  

The common denominator across these stories is that IPC was seen as a partner, not just an item on the regulatory compliance checklist.  

Where Do We Go From Here? 

At Dumontel Healthcare Consulting, LLC , we developed the IP PROPEL™ Framework, a 3-part pathway designed to optimize infection prevention and control (IPC) programs through systems-level thinking and empowered leadership. IP PROPEL™ stands for Infection Prevention PRogram Optimization Pathway & Enhanced Leadership. It helps healthcare organizations shift IPC from a regulatory checkbox to an integral part of the organization’s fabric by improving patient care outcomes, reducing costs, and engaging both leadership and frontline teams. Whether you're facing rising HAI rates or organizational fatigue, our IP PROPEL™ Framework offers a clear, evidence-based approach to achieve sustainable change. 

Our 3-Part Framework for Leadership Success 

1. Assessment & Strategic Alignment: Evaluate your current IPC program and align it with your organizational goals. 
2. Engagement & Education: Guide leaders and frontline teams through strategic engagement and tailored education that breaks silos and builds ownership. 
3. Sustainability & Innovation: Incorporate safety metrics into your infrastructure while promoting innovation and continuous improvement. 

If you want to work with our team of experts to reach these goals, reach out at https://www.dumontelhealthcareconsult.com/contact  

What Others Say 

“If your IPC department needs a little help, reach out to Dumontel Healthcare Consulting, LLC. Maybe you're understaffed, maybe you have many newer IPs, maybe survey is just around the corner etc. Whatever your IPC needs, Dumontel Healthcare can stand up to the challenge! I cannot say enough about their expertise." - Doe Kley, RN, MPH, T-CHEST, LTC-CIP, CIC , Infection Prevention Fellow at the Clorox Company (Professional Products Division)