Improving infection prevention in hospitals through better staffing.

Prevention of Infections Through Appropriate Staffing (PITAS)

NIH-funded research Villanova University · NIH-10885030

This study is looking at how having the right number of staff in infection prevention teams can help lower the number of infections people get while in the hospital, especially after the challenges posed by COVID-19, so that hospitals can keep patients safer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVillanova University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Villanova, United States)
Project IDNIH-10885030 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how appropriate staffing levels in infection prevention and control (IPC) departments can reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals. It aims to understand the changes in IPC programs over time and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on infection rates and IPC resources. By using a mixed-method approach, the study will gather both quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the effectiveness of current IPC practices and staffing. The findings could help hospitals implement better staffing strategies to enhance patient safety.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients receiving care in acute care hospitals, particularly those at risk for healthcare-associated infections.

Not a fit: Patients who are not currently hospitalized or those receiving outpatient care may not benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved infection control practices in hospitals, ultimately reducing the rates of healthcare-associated infections and enhancing patient safety.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that effective staffing in infection prevention can significantly reduce infection rates, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Villanova, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.