Exploring Life & Business with Buffy Lloyd-Krejci of IPCWell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Buffy Lloyd-Krejci.

Hi Buffy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers. 
I’ve always had a passion for healthcare, and in 2015, I held a position at a Quality Improvement Network – Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This role was part of one of 12 government-funded healthcare entities aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and quality of services provided to Medicare beneficiaries across various healthcare settings.

My work focused on implementing data-driven solutions to improve the quality of care in long-term care settings, particularly nursing homes. Being part of this was incredibly fulfilling. It allowed me to contribute to a cause that mattered to me and make a difference for an often-overlooked population. However, I felt something was missing.

The alarming statistics on healthcare-acquired infections and the resulting harm and deaths in nursing homes drove my passion to make a significant impact. My urgency and determination to make a difference was bursting through the seams.

I decided to take a risk. I left my well-paid, secure job to start my own consulting company. This decision was supported wholeheartedly by my family, especially my husband, whose belief in me was unwavering. I recognize how fortunate I am to have had their backing, as not all aspiring entrepreneurs have such support.

I founded Lloyd-Krejci Consulting, leveraging my expertise in infection prevention and control. My approach combined professional knowledge with empathy and understanding. Nursing homes often face criticism from outsiders, are understaffed, and their workers are undertrained. Despite their best efforts, these issues were magnified during the pandemic.

My goal was to offer expertise and solutions delivered with compassion and understanding. This vision led me to rebrand the company as IPCWell. Since then, we have experienced remarkable growth, assisting hundreds of nursing homes nationwide.

Today, IPCWell is thriving with a dedicated team of traveling infection preventionists. However, what I am most grateful for is the support we have been able to provide to healthcare workers and residents. Their well-being remains at the heart of everything we do.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been plenty of struggles along the way, with two significant hurdles standing out in the beginning. Initially, I believed that if these facilities received help with data collection and analysis, we could identify large-scale solutions, understand the true burden of infections in nursing homes, and implement effective risk-reduction strategies. However, we quickly realized that while data is crucial, it often took a backseat to more immediate challenges that needed to be addressed first.

Each facility is unique, with its own set of challenges. When solutions are presented to the industry as a whole, these individual challenges can get lost and remain unaddressed. The most pressing issues for these facilities were frontline challenges, particularly infection control protocols and procedures.

We were in a transitional period, attempting to shift infection practices from control to prevention, moving from a reactive to a proactive approach. This significant change required time, extensive training, and education. My company decided to tackle these fundamental needs first, finding success by addressing the most urgent issues.

Another major challenge we faced was gaining the trust of these facilities. For them, outsiders often represented someone with a clipboard pointing out everything they were doing wrong, leading to a sense of punishment rather than support. We had to overcome this perception to gain their trust.

Our approach was different: we focused on highlighting what they were doing right, explaining best practices and their benefits, and working collaboratively to help them achieve those standards. By offering support and solutions rather than just criticism, we were able to build trust and foster positive relationships.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about IPCWell?
What sets IPCWell apart, and what we are most proud of, is our ability to integrate as part of the team, even though we are technically “outside consultants.” When we work with a long-term care facility, we bring empathy, care, and a partnership mentality. We don’t just point out non-compliance; we join forces with the staff to ensure the residents receive the best possible care and that the staff remains healthy and happy.

We stand side by side with the facility’s team, solving problems together rather than merely identifying them. Our facilities know they can reach out to us at any time, day or night, for guidance and support. They trust that IPCWell is truly there to back them up.

It’s also crucial to recognize that infection prevention and control training and education are essential for all staff members, not just the clinical team. We collaborate with everyone, including nurses, doctors, cleaning staff, laundry staff, kitchen staff, and administrative staff. When everyone is involved, the entire team comes together to face challenges, creating a cohesive and effective approach to care.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned is that while guidance, best practices, training, and education all make sense on paper, the real impact comes from being at the forefront of care, side-by-side with the caregivers and staff.

Despite the endless pages of information available on infection prevention and control, what truly works is getting into the field and providing hands-on support. Being there in person is the kind of assistance the industry and these facilities genuinely need.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ipcwell.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ipcwell
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IPCWELL/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipcwell/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo8OsKm-ND6hO1w1q60m_ew
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/BROKEN-Pandemic-Uncovered-Nursing-Fighting/dp/1544528361