Olympia Medical Center, Los Angeles, CEO, John A. Calderone, PhD, Receives National Award for Infection Control Leadership

Los Angeles, CA, June 19, 2013 --(PR.com)-- John Calderone, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at Olympia Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, has been named the recipient of the 4th Annual Healthcare Administrator Award, presented by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). APIC is a multi-disciplinary, voluntary, international organization promoting wellness and prevention of Infection world-wide by advancing health care epidemiology. Its headquarters is located in Washington D.C.

The award, presented at APIC’s 40th Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale, is given annually to a healthcare executive who has made infection prevention and control a top priority throughout their facility.

With direction from Dr. Calderone the infection prevention staff at Olympia Medical Center revitalized a system-wide hand hygiene campaign that engaged patients with buttons and posters with the message, “Ask Us If We Washed Our Hands.” He personally addressed the issues of hand hygiene with the medical staff and reiterated the importance of their task. Calderone also conducted communications to the physicians directly to maximize its importance and worked directly with those members of the Medical Staff not in compliance with this campaign.

“We are proud to recognize Dr. Calderone with this honor,” said APIC 2013 President Patti Grant, RN, BSN, MS, CIC. “His persistent encouragement and support have given infection Prevention and Control a solid foundation at Olympia, enabling them to elevate the level of care provided to patients.”

Through Calderone’s encouragement and the collaboration between nursing and infection control, infection rates decreased significantly. Throughout 2012 Olympia Medical Center had zero infection rates in the intensive care unit. Similar reductions were achieved for catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Calderone has spoken with many healthcare leaders on the role of the CEO in infection prevention, sharing his strategies and communicating the value and relevance of infection prevention and control in a hospital environment.

In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Olympia Medical Center, Dr. Calderone is a member of the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) and has been voted Chair-Elect by the HASC Executive Committee.