Infection Control

The roles and responsibilities of a new IP

Briefings on Infection Control, January 1, 2010

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Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from the Infection Prevention Handbook, written by Libby Chinnes, RN, BSC, CIC, and published by HCPro, Inc. For more information or to purchase the book, go to www.hcmarketplace.com.
First, let’s discuss your new role as IP for your facility. A helpful reference is “APIC/CHICA-Canada Infection Prevention, Control, and Epidemiology: Professional and Practice Standards,” available at www.apic.org. The IP, whether just beginning or a seasoned professional, strives for competency in his or her role through education, certification, and incorporation of these standards into practice. The IP should periodically compare himor herself and his or her program to these standards and use them as a guide.
Coordination of an infection prevention and
control program
The IP’s role is to manage and coordinate infection prevention and control for the entire facility, or specific assigned areas if working in a multiperson department under an infection prevention manager. The IP must ensure that proper infection prevention and control practices are followed in every department, including ancillary departments such as dietary, environmental services, pharmacy, and maintenance.
Development and maintenance of infection
prevention and control policies and procedures
To this end, the facility must have infection prevention and control policies for every department, as well as overall policies such as a bloodborne pathogens plan (exposure control plan) and a TB plan per OSHA.
The IP does not have to write all these policies but should collaborate with department supervisors and advise on best infection prevention and control practice based on the most current guidelines, standards, and regulations.
These policies and procedures should be on a schedule for review/revision in addition to those times when, for example, regulations change. Some of these policies and procedures are listed in the sample table of contents on page 11,, and others may be added as needed or as new services arise.
Surveillance and use of epidemiologic
principles
Other roles of the IP are to perform surveillance of healthcare-associated infections per each facility’s unique surveillance plan and inclusive of any mandatory surveillance as regulated by individual states. Surveillance is based on the population served, services offered, and previous surveillance data, as well as high-risk, high-volume, and problem-prone events.
For example, in a 250-bed hospital, a surveillance plan might entail:
?? Coronary artery bypass surgery (high-volume procedure and mandated by certain states).
?? Lumbar laminectomies (problem prone, as noted in past surveillance).
?? Central line–associated bloodstream infections in ICUs and outside of ICUs (high risk and noted in The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals [NPSG]).
?? MDROs (individual rates of MRSA, VRE, and extended- spectrum beta-lactamases). These are problem prone and mandated by certain states and the NPSGs. Also, C. diff, which is high risk and problem prone.

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