HCPro.com: Briefings on Infection Control

From the AIA's new Infection Control Risk Assessment to the JCAHO's emphasis on infection control, your facility's infection control initiatives have never been under more scrutiny. Briefings on Infection Control is a 12-page monthly resource that was created specifically to help you save time complying with the new infection control regulations and combating the spread of infectious diseases in your hospital. Not only will you know about the latest changes and updates, but you'll also receive the step-by-step strategies and tools to comply!

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February 2008 (Volume 6, Issue 2)	view entire issue

Advocate for the budget dollars you need to fight infection rates
These days, many ICPs have been forced to shift their focus from spores and microorganisms to dollars and cents, and in addition to battling infections, you may find yourself battling budget constraints amid the ongoing need for resources and staff. Thankfully, you don't have to be a certified public accountant or a Wall Street day trader to determine your needs. Just like your daily IC tasks, everything starts with a plan.

Improve IC relationships: Build bridges and avoid pitfalls in interdepartmental communication
IC is not a job you can do alone. Everyone from housekeeping staff to administrators to surgeons must play a role in enacting a successful IC program. This is not only good practice but in line with dictates from The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO), which continually emphasizes compliance. Standard IC.8.10, for example, says collaboration among departments is vital to a successful IC program, ensuring proper data gathering and interpretation and the design and effective implementation of interventions. That is as clear a message as any that everyone in your organization needs to understand and comply with your facility's IC policies.

The Joint Commission is focused on IC: Is your facility ready?
Anecdotal evidence indicates that Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) surveyors are looking more closely at IC programs as of late, and a recent survey at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston certainly seems to confirm that suspicion. "We found that [Joint Commission surveyors] were very interested in the IC standards," says Margaret F. Price, PhD, CIC, director of IC and occupational health at St. Luke's. "Hand hygiene was a big focus, of course." Surveyors also focused on sterilization and disinfection efforts, and wanted to see how the facility collected surveillance data. Surveyors even used an IC scenario when surveying the facility for emergency preparedness.

Other recently-published articles from Briefings on Infection Control:

C. diff more prevalent than previously believed

Aggressive action (and aggressive nurses) fight Acinetobacter at Louisiana hospital

IC.01.03.01, assessing risk is a starting point

Take a strong stand against the flu with declination forms

Compendium of strategies full of HAI prevention tips

CMS interpretive guidelines one year later: Is your facility in compliance with all the changes?

Hospital leaders dropping the ball when it comes to IC

Study: Flu vaccine in elderly may be even less effective than originally thought, but don’t stop encouraging shots

IC.01.02.01, needed resources for your IC program

Dress for IC success

The new CMS payment policy might be more bark than bite with regard to SSIs

Contending with floods, hurricanes, and water damage

Joint Commission wants the right person in charge

New regulations affect dialysis facilities

Seven tips to fight the flu with vaccinations

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