LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Holy Cross High School senior Payton Miller, an intern with UofL Health’s Infection Prevention & Control team, has co-authored an abstract titled “Enhancing Patient Safety Through Nurse-Driven Central Line Management,” which will be published in the prestigious American Journal of Infection Control.
Miller collaborated with a distinguished team comprising Jason Cissell, BSN, Crystal Heishman, MBA, MSN, Angelina James, MSN, and Joel Payne, BSN, under the guidance of Heishman, her internship supervisor for the past two years at UofL Health. Miller’s contributions to the project included assisting with patient rounds to gather data, documenting team observations, conducting research and reviewing and modifying data.
Through her internship experience, Miller gained a comprehensive understanding of health care systems and the critical role of infection prevention. Her dedication and diligence were instrumental in the completion of the abstract, which was also selected as a Blue Ribbon Abstract Award recipient and will be presented at the 2024 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Annual Conference.
The abstract sheds light on innovative approaches to central line management, a crucial aspect of patient care aimed at enhancing safety protocols. Miller’s involvement underscores her commitment to making meaningful contributions to the health care field, even at a young age.
In addition to the publication in the American Journal of Infection Control, Miller has been extended the honor of co-creating an article discussing her internship experience with Infection Prevention and UofL Health for Prevention Strategist, a prominent industry publication.
“We are immensely proud of Payton’s accomplishments and the recognition her work has garnered,” said Jennifer Barz, Principal of Holy Cross High School. “This achievement exemplifies the dedication, innovation, and leadership that we strive to instill in our students. Payton’s success serves as an inspiration to her peers and a testament to the exceptional education offered at Holy Cross.”
Miller’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and hands-on experience.