An infection preventionist developing an action plan based on resources and identified risks should include which element for each risk?

• A. Priority or targeted objectives
• B. A budget estimate
• C. A communication plan
• D. A training schedule

Answer: (A)

When turning risk findings into an action plan, you define for each risk a clear priority and a specific objective. Prioritizing helps you decide which risks to address first based on their severity, probability, and potential impact on patient safety, ensuring that limited resources are directed where they’ll do the most good. Attaching a targeted objective to each risk provides a concrete, measurable outcome you’re aiming to achieve, such as reducing incidence by a certain percentage or achieving a specific compliance rate, which makes progress and effectiveness easy to evaluate.

While budgeting, a communication plan, and a training schedule are important parts of an overall program, they aren’t the per-risk element that drives immediate action and evaluation for each identified risk. A budget supports many activities, a communication plan disseminates information across risks, and a training schedule ensures staff readiness, but the per-risk focus should be on priority and a defined objective to guide what you do and how you assess success for that particular risk.