Glossary

Activity

An actual event or action that takes place as part of a program or partner network (e.g., intervention, education campaign)

Blending

When a partner network integrates funds from two or more funding sources or programs to fund a joint program or initiative; blended costs are usually not tracked by the funding sources (see funding coordination)

Braiding

When a partner network coordinates two or more of their individual funding sources to support the total cost of a program or initiative; costs are usually allocated and tracked by individual funding sources (see funding coordination)

Champion

A person who advocates for the adoption, implementation, and success of the partner network, including the activities or changes required in their own organization; individual ideally has a significant leadership or decision-making status or influence

Communication Channel

A medium or method through which communication is shared between parties (e.g., newsletters, meetings, conference calls, workgroup or subcommittee meetings, advisory group meetings)

Emerging Threats

Newly identified or recognized threats to public health (e.g., new pathogens or AR mechanisms) and their potential effect on specific settings, populations, and geographic locations

Engagement

The level of engagement for partners within the partner network, which could include the level at which a partner participates, attends meetings, communicates, etc.

Funding Coordination

Documenting, communicating, and, if needed, sharing or integrating funds from two or more funding streams to support the partner network’s activities efficiently and cost-effectively (see blending, braiding)

Funding Stream

A distinct source of funds to support program or partner network activities

Goal(s)

Statement(s) of the broad impact to which the partner network contributes

Incentive

Something that incites greater or enhanced commitment or effort for partners within the partner network (e.g., reward offered for increased productivity, governor’s award, honor roll, monetary reward)

Individual Partner

A single partner organization within the partner network (e.g., state health department, hospital association, long-term care association)

Key Element

A component or quality that makes HAI/AR partner networks possible, successful, and sustainable

Leadership

Key decision-makers in individual partner organizations or of the partner network itself

Non-traditional/New Partner

A partner organization that has not typically engaged in the partner network and/or the state’s HAI/AR program efforts (e.g., dialysis, dentists, rural)

Operating Model

A representation of how the partner network delivers value, which may include their principles, policies, and/or procedures for partner network accountability and decision-making

Partner Landscape

The current-state of partners within a partner network based on various criteria, including partner types, settings, strengths, capabilities, scopes, goals, frequency of communication, possible leaders and champions, and other criteria for partner representation

Partner Network

Any HAI/AR collaboration in a state between two or more partners (e.g., topic-specific collaborative, HAI/AR Program Advisory Committee)

Partner Network Stages

The four stages of an advancing partner network, including

1. Determine Priorities
2. Plan Approach
3. Implement Activities
4. Measure and Adjust

Partner Representation

The presence or engagement of partner organizations in a partner network that represent a certain desired criteria or characteristic (e.g., geographic mix, mix of setting, mix of expertise)

Partnership Plan

A plan, that may include shared goals and defined activities, created by the partner network to address and work towards the partner network’s priorities

Person, Organization, or Group of People

An individual person (e.g., state health official), partner organization (e.g., local health department), or group of people (e.g., HAI/AR Program Advisory Committee conveners) that is a part of the partner network

Policy

A declared rule, principle, or guideline to which individual partner organizations and/or the partner network must adhere (e.g., organizational mandates, payment structures, reporting requirements, oversight authorities)

Priority

A goal or activity that the partner network has determined to be more urgent or important to achieving than other goals or activities based on data, policies, funding, or other influences

Redundancy

An activity, objective, or priority that individual partners within the partner network, or the partner network itself, undertakes that is unnecessary or duplicative (e.g., overlapping activities between partners within the same partner network)

Strategic Vision

A description of HAI/AR in the state if the partner network fully achieved its goals

Strategy

The partner network’s package of goals, a partnership plan, and activities to achieve the strategic vision

Structure

The parameters for how the partner network is organized, including roles and responsibilities and the operating model that enables coordination, accountability, and decision-making in the partner network

Window of Opportunity

A favorable opportunity for doing something that must be seized immediately if it is not to be missed (e.g., change in partner leadership/administration, new legislation, public interest, media attention)