Infection Prevention rESOURCES


APIC


AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation)

AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation)

Professional association for sterile processing (and others in the medical device industry)

The AAMI standards program consists of over 100 technical committees and working groups that produce Standards, Recommended Practices, and Technical Information Reports for medical devices.


AHA (American Hospital Association)

AHA (American Hospital Association)

Best Practices Library

Quality & Patient Safety

Infection Control

Guidance on humidity levels in the operating room (2015)


AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

CUSP – The Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) combines techniques to improve safety culture, teamwork, and communications, together with a checklist of proven practices.

The CORE CUSP Toolkit

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Control and Prevention Toolkit

Toolkit for Antibiotic Stewardship

Toolkit for Reducing CLABSI in Hospitals

Toolkit for Reduction of Clostridium [Clostridioides] difficile through Antimicrobial Stewardship

Toolkit to Improve Safety for Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Toolkit to Improve Safety in Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Toolkit to Promote Safe Surgery

Toolkit to Reduce CAUTI and Other HAIs in LTC Facilities

Universal ICU Decolonization: An Enhanced Protocol


AMS (Antimicrobial Stewardship)

AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)(archived)

AMS Measure Definition Sheet

2017 Antibiotic Use in the United States

CDCAdult Antibiotic Prescribing Guidelines (Telligen 1-page version)

CDC Clinician Guide for Collecting Cultures

CDC Core Elements for Small and Critical Access Hospitals

CDC Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs

CDCCore Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs Checklist

Critical Access Hospital Programs

Facility AMS Program

Implementing AMS in a Small, Rural Hospital

Joint Commission Antimicrobial Stewardship Standard (MM.05.11.2020)

National Quality Partners Playbooks: Antibiotic Stewardship in Acute Care

Partnership for Patients – Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Tiers

Partnership for Patients AMS Step by Step

Pathogens of Epidemiological Concern (HB 1739)

Planning an Intervention Job Aid

Presidential Advisory Council Letter

Rule requiring AMS programs and antibiotic use surveillance (search Section 482.42)

SHEA Practice Resources for AMS

Test of Change Template


ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)

ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)

ASHRAE IP Resources


California Department of Health (CDPH) 

CDPH Healthcare associated infections Program

CDPH Infection Prevention Webinars

CDPH Skilled Nursing Facility FAQs


Cal/OSHA - The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)

Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens

California Workplace Guide to Aerosol Transmissible Diseases

California Face Coverings, Masks, and N-95 Respirators for COVID-19

Interim Guidance to Protect Mortuary and Funeral Home Staff from COVID-19

Respiratory Protection Fact Sheet


Candida auris

CDC Fact Sheet on Candida auris (English), (Spanish)

CDC Information about this drug resistant yeast that spreads in healthcare facilities

CDCInformation for Laboratorians and Health Professionals

CDC Infection Preventionists Fact Sheet (English), (Spanish)

CDCInformation for Patients and Family Members


CAUTI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection)

AHRQCAUTI Wheel Infographic

AHRQ Toolkit for Reducing CAUTIs

APIC Guide to Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

CDC Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

CDC Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) CAUTI Toolkit

CMSCAUTI Reporting: Operational Guidance for Fulfilling Hospital Inpatient IQR Requirements

Emergency Nurses Association: CAUTI Prevention in the ED

SHEAStrategies to Prevent CAUTI in Acute Care Settings


CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

CDC ACH (Acute Care/Critical Access Hospitals) Modules and Events: Available components include Patient Safety Component (PSC), Healthcare Personnel Safety Component (HPS), and Biovigilence Component (BV). Other modules include:

AUR Model (antimicrobial use & resistance) Options

Blood Safety (biovigilance component)

BSI Events (bloodstream infections)

CLIP Events (central line insertion practice adherence)

HCP COVID-19 Vaccination (healthcare personnel safety component)

HCP Exposure (healthcare personnel safety component

HCP Flu Vaccination (healthcare personnel safety component)

MDRO & CDI Events (multidrug-resistant organisms & C. difficile infections)

PNEU (Pneumonia [Ped/VAP] Events

SSI Events (surgical site infection events)

UTI Events (urinary tract infections)

VAE (ventilator-associated events)

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Healthcare-associated Infection (HAI)

CDC Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Safe Healthcare Delivery in All Settings- Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.

CDC STRIVE Infection Control Training

CDC Training and Continuing Education Online (TCEO). TCEO offers CEUs for the CDC training.


CDI (Clostridioides difficile, C-diff, formerly Clostridium difficile)

Strategies to prevent Clostridioides difficile infections in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update

AHRQToolkit for Reduction of C. diff through Antimicrobial Stewardship

Brecher Guidelines Laboratory(Laboratory Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Infections)

Bristol Stool Chart

CDC Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) of C. diff

NHSN Surveillance for C. difficile, MRSA, and other Drug-resistant Infections

IDSA/SHEA diff Pocket Guide

IDSA/SHEA Clinical Practice Guidelines for C. diff Infection in Adults and Children

Know your Poo (a.k.a. Poology)

Reducing C. difficile Infections Toolkit – GNYHA/UHF C. diff Collaborative

SHEA Patient Education Guide – C. diff

SHEAStrategies to Prevent C. diff in Acute Care Settings

See also AMS (Antimicrobial Stewardship)


Certification in Infection Prevention and Control

Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist (CAIP) administered by the Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification (BASC) is an advanced certification for ambulatory surgical center professionals.

Certification in Infection Control (CIC®) administered by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

APIC resources

CBIC (Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology)

Predictors of certification in infection prevention and control among infection preventionists: APIC Mega Survey findings (AJIC, 2018)


CLABSI (central line-associated blood stream infection)

Strategies to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update

AHRQ Toolkit for Reducing CLABSIs

APIC Guide to Preventing CLABSIs

CDC Guideline for Prevention of CLABSIs

CDC Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) CLABSI Implementation Guide

CMS CLABSI Reporting: Operational Guidance for Fulfilling Hospital Inpatient IQR Requirements

Improve PICC(multiple links to various resources and guidelines)

SHEA Patient Education Guide – CLABSI

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology Strategies to Prevent CLABSI in Acute Care Settings

Needleless Connector Drying Time – How long does it take? American Journal of Infection Control,(American Journal of Infection Control, 2018).

CLABSI: To use a PICC or not.

The Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC): Results from a Multispecialty Panel Using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2015)

CLABSI: To use a cap or not.

Antiseptic barrier cap effective in reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis, International Journal of Nursing Studies, 2017

CLABSI Chlorhexidine bathing skills assessment by AHRQ.

Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice: A systematic review, (revised 2016). (J Clin Nurs. 2012)

CDC Surveillance for Blood Stream Infections: central line-associated blood stream infections and non-central line-associated blood stream infections.


CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

CAUTI Reporting: Operational Guidance for Fulfilling CMS’s IQR Requirements

Changes to support U.S. Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic – https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-issues-second-round-sweeping-changes-support-us-healthcare-system-during-covid

Hospital Infection Control Worksheet [document used by surveyors to determine compliance with the Infection Control Condition of Participation]

State Operations Manual (SOM): Appendix A – Survey Protocol, Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines for Hospitals

State Operations Manual (SOM): Appendix G – Guidance for Surveyors: Rural Health Clinics

State Operations Manual (SOM): Appendix W – Guidance for Surveyors: Critical Access Hospitals and Swing-Beds in CAHs

State Operations Manual (SOM): Full Document and All Appendices


Construction

FGI (The Facility Guidelines Institute): Guidelines or Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities.

The Importance of conducting a comprehensive ICRA (Infection Control risk Assessment)(Abatement Technologies, undated)


Contact Precautions

SHEA/IDSA/APIC Practice Recommendation: Strategies to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission and infection in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update

CDC 2007 Guidelines for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings

Discontinuing contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis, (AJIC, 2018)

SHEA Expert Guidance: Duration of Contact Precautions for Acute-Care Settings (2017)


Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices

Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Safe Healthcare Delivery in All Settings – Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Practices Advisory Committee


CRE (carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae)

AHRQ Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Control and Prevention Toolkit

CDC Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Healthcare Settings


Critical Access Hospitals

CDC Core Elements for Small and Critical Access Hospitals(antimicrobial stewardship)

CDC Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR) Options

See also CDC ACH Modules & Events


CDC

CDC Human Infection with 2019 Novel Coronavirus Person Under Investigation (PUI) and Case Report Form. More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/pui-form.pdf

CDC Discontinuation of Isolation for Persons with (COVID-19) Not in Healthcare Settings. More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html

CDC Staffing Resources and Guidance

CDC- Ten Ways Healthcare Systems Can Operate Effectively during the (COVID-19) Pandemic

CDC Testing for Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes. Considerations for use of Test-Best Strategies for Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Nursing Homes

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html

CDC Factors to Consider When Planning to Purchase Respirators from Another Country. More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/international-respirator-purchase.html

Collection and Submission of Postmortem Specimens from Deceased Persons with Known or Suspected (COVID-19). More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-postmortem-specimens.html

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Symptoms of Coronavirus

(COVID-19) Contact Tracing Training, Guidance, Resources, and Sample Training Plan

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.html

COVID-19 Case Report Form (Updated 5.5.2020)

Evaluating and Testing Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria.html

Important Information About Cloth Face Coverings

Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers. More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html

Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html

Interim Additional Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed (COVID-19) in Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities. More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dialysis.html#anchor_1588604087

Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ppe/ppeapp.html

National Institutes for Occupational Safety & Health NIOSH PPE Tracker App

Preparing for (COVID-19): Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes

Special Considerations for Patients on Home Dialysis

Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Disposable Medical Gloves

CMC Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services

Hospital Improvement Innovation Networks (HIINS)


COVID-19

AORN education on protocol for COVID-19 patients

AORN provides more information on a protocol for COVID 19-patients undergoing surgery, and reprocessing N95s as well criteria for selection of respiratory protections.

More information can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch

COVID Workforce Virtual Toolkit

This collection provides a curated set of resources and tools for decision-makers managing healthcare workforce challenges in response to the COVID-19 emergency: https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/Workforce-Virtual-Toolkit

COVID-19 Testing and Reporting

CDC Guidance on COVID-19 testing and reporting. More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/testing-laboratories.html

COVID-19 Visitor Policy Exceptions for End of Life (EOL)

Visitors are allowed for End of Life situations.

If there are extended family members, the representative is encouraged to FaceTime or utilize other type of social media to include rest of the family.

The following information is noted from Ohana Pacific Management Company Policy:

One visitor each for the following categories:

End of life

Labor and Delivery

Pediatrics

For end of life, it can be multiple visitors but only one person allowed in the room at a time.

Large families would have to trade off persons.

COVID-19 Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers by implementing safety practices for critical infrastructure workers who may have had exposure to a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. More information can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-workers/implementing-safety-practices.htm

COVID -19 Healthcare Staffing Resources from CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/open-america/staffing.html

Elsevier COVID-19 Healthcare Hub resource provides toolkits for healthcare professionals such as front-line clinical tools and resources to help deliver excellent care and information to patients.

More information can be found here: https://covid-19.elsevier.health/?campid=20N17909&utm_campaign

Topics on the Elsevier COVID-19 Healthcare Hub include:

Emergency care: Clinical guidelines, drug monographs, and care plans

Inpatient care: Resources to assist with managing a patient’s condition from treatment through discharge.

ICU: clinical guidelines and education related to patients in critical conditions, such as ARDS and sepsis.

Links to the most important leaders working on this pandemic.

European Center for Disease Prevention and Control’s Preparedness for COVID-provides advice to hospitals that want to be prepared for high-pressure situation caused by SARS-CoV-transmission.

More information can be found here: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/guidance-health-system-contingency-planning-during-widespread-transmission-sars

FDA greenlights a new type of nasal swab for COVID-19

More information can be found here: https://www.statnews.com/2020/04/16/fda-changes-coronavirus-testing-swabs/

Social distancing measures

According to a study published April 14 in Science.The study predicts recurrent winter outbreaks of the virus after the initial, most severe wave.

To avoid exceeding the capacity of the healthcare system, prolonged or intermittent social distancing may be necessary into 2022, researchers write.


Disinfection & Sterilization

CDC Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008). More information can be found here:

William Rutala: Disinfection & Sterilization

Tampa General Hospital has strict infection prevention protocols in place, including the use of UVC disinfection, to clean all rooms where infectious disease patients are treated, including (COVID-19) patients. Watch the video below to learn more.

https://vimeo.com/415187232

Mitigating risks of processing reusable medical devices in ambulatory care settings.
Watch the video below to learn more.

https://go.beckershospitalreview.com/mitigating-risks-of-processing-reusable-medical-devices-in-ambulatory-care-settings?


Disinfection & Sterilization Suggested Resources

High-Level Disinfection and Sterilization Audit Checklist

CDC Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities

Selection of the Ideal Disinfectant

FAQ: Contact time for disinfectants used on non-critical items

Disinfection Risk Assessment

EPA-Registered Antimicrobial Products

UNCHC Endoscope Reprocessing Competency Checklist

IC Inpatient Audit Tool

Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19

Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19


Education – Patient & Family

For Our Patients and Their Visitors: Help Prevent Infections Endorsed by SHEA, IDSA, CDC, APIC, AHA, The Joint Commission

Endotracheal Tubes

TJC Joint Commission FAQ: How to clean, disinfect and store

Environmental Cleaning

APIC Environmental Services Training Modules and Tools

CDC “EVS and the Battle Against Infection”is an interactive graphic novel illustrating the important role of EVS personnel in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections.

CDC Training and Continuing Education Online (TCEO) Environmental Cleaning Course WB4224Modules:

Basic Principles of Infection Control for EVS Technicians

PPE and EVS: Keeping EVS Team Members, Patients, and Caregivers Safety

Chemical Safety for EVS

Surface Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures and Techniques in EVS

Minnesota Hospital Association Environmental Services Cleaning Guidebook

All modules below must be taken to receive CE.

What should NOT be stored under sinks?

Where can I find a list of the cleaning/disinfecting products effective for killing bacteria and viruses?

Is it true that when a facility has patients/residents with Clostridium difficile or Norovirus, a special type of disinfectant is required after cleaning?

Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents.

The analysis of 22 studies showed that SARS, MERS, and HCoV can persist on surfaces up to 9 days but can be effectively inactivated by surface disinfection procedures with 62-71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite within 1 minute.

Other biocidal agents such as 0.05-0.2% benzalkonium chloride or 0.02% chlorhexidine digluconate are less effective.


Environmental Service Workers (EVS)

Importance of recognizing environmental service workers,including EVS in huddles and any safety briefings and recognizing them as essential to the fight against coronavirus. More information can be found here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada

Epidemiology (Principles of) – self-study course

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

This self-study course is based upon the printed text: Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, An Introduction to Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics, updated 2012.


Fit Testing (See PPE respirators)

US Dept. of Labor’s Temporary Guidance for Respirator Fit-Testing in Healthcare During COVID-19 can be found here:

https://www.osha.gov/memos/2020-03-14/temporary-enforcement-guidance-healthcare-respiratory-protection-annual-fit

For additional guidance, COVID-19 Hospital Preparedness Assessment Tool can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/hcp-hospital-checklist.html.

OSHA field offices shall exercise enforcement discretion concerning the annual fit testing requirement, 29 CFR § 1910.134(f)(2), as long as employers make a good-faith effort to comply with 29 CFR § 1910.134;


Glucometer cleaning

ICAP (Nebraska Medicine)

Glucometer Cleaning Protocol Template


Hand Hygiene

SHEA/IDSA/APIC Practice Recommendation: Strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene: 2022 Update

CDC Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings, 2002

WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care, 2009 Full Guidelines

Summary of Guidelines

SHEA Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections through Hand Hygiene, 2014

Briefing on Hand Hygiene Auditing


Health Equity

AMA (March 2022) Health equity resources

American Journal of Infection Control. Navigating health inequities and health disparities in infection control: a research fellow perspective (April 2022)

CDC-Office of Minority Health & Health Equity (OMHHE) Racism and health(November 2021)

Journal of Preventive medicine and Public Health. Mainstreaming of health equity in infectious disease control policy during the COVID-19 pandemic era (January 2021)

Project First Line. The intersection of infection prevention and control and health equity (January 2022)

Salud America. The intersection of infection prevention and control and healthcare equity(April 2022

WSHA’s Safety & Quality Health Equityprogram

Humidity levels

Joint Communication: Guidance on humidity levels in the operating room (2015)


ICAP (Nebraska Medicine)

What is the recommendation for cleaning the brushes used when cleaning equipment in the sterile

What is the recommendation for alcohol purge and forced air dying after endoscope reprocessing?

What factors should be considered when developing a protocol or policy for cleaning and disinfection of blood glucose meters used on multiple patients?

Is it sufficient to clean shared nail clippers with alcohol?

What are the requirements for storing sterile items?

Should gait belts be assigned per aide/therapist, and used on several residents, or should they be dedicated to one resident, and only used for that resident?

Are there specific resources for reprocessing of flexible endoscopes?


ICAR (Infection Control Assessment and Response)

WA DOH Infection Control Assessment and Response Program (ICAR)

Infectious Diseases Society of America

IDSA Practice Guidelines

Practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and patients in making decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances.

The New IP's Guide to the Annual Infection Prevention Risk Assessment, Plan & Review

ICHE Compendium 2022 Implementing strategies to prevent infections in acute-care settings


Injection Safety

Blunt-Tip Surgical Suture Needles Reduce Needlestick Injuries & the Risk of Subsequent Bloodborne Pathogen Transmission to Surgical Personnel

CDC Injection Safety

CDC Safe Injection Practices to Prevent Transmission of Infections to Patients

CDC searchable downloadable materials

CDC/NIOSH – Stop Sticks Campaign

FAQs Regarding Safe Practices for Medical Injections(including info on multi-dose vials)

ICAP (Nebraska Medicine)

Should I verify the competency of the healthcare workers who are performing assisted blood?

What factors should be considered when developing a protocol or policy for cleaning and disinfection of blood glucose meters used on multiple patients?

Sharps Safety for Healthcare Settings: Brochure, Workbook, PowerPoint slides, and Posters

TJC Joint Commission

Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel (2008-101)


Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

How-to Guide: Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (includes vent bundle)

Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA)

Isolation Guidelines

CDC 2007 Guidelines for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings (2007)

SHEA Expert Guidance: Duration of Contact Precautions for Acute-Care Settings

Management of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Healthcare Settings, 2006


Isolation Precautions

The decision to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions should be made using a test-based strategy or a non-test-based strategy (i.e., time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery strategy). Meeting criteria for discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions is not a prerequisite for discharge.

Test-based strategy

Non-test-based strategy

Aerosol-Generating Procedures (AGPs) & PPE: High and Low Risk Procedures.

All PUIs and COVID-19 positive patients should be placed in strict droplet and contact precautions.

Guidelines and more information can be found here

Demonstration of effectiveness of good precautions.

As of March 30, 2020 no staff members at Huoshenshan Hospital had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, indicating that appropriate precautions could effectively prevent infection.


Joint Commission, The (TJC)

New scoring revisions for IC.02.02.01 now in effect (Sept. 2018)

Helpful places on their website (no membership required):

Main TJC Page

Infection Prevention and HAI Portal

Standards Interpretation FAQs(you can also sign up for alerts on new FAQs)

If your question is not found in the FAQs, ask TJC a question here.

Search by chapter [e.g. Infection Prevention and Control (IC) and Medication Management (MM – antimicrobial stewardship)

Resource: The JC Big Book of Policies and Procedures for Hospitals– $299 eBook

Speak Up™ To Prevent Infection

A new patient safety campaign from The Joint Commission, offers free materials for health care facilities and staff to download and provide to patients and their families, so they can become active in their own care.

Joint Commission: Prerecorded Webinar on Preventing COVID-19 transmission in ambulatory health care.

Preventing COVID-19 Transmission in Ambulatory Health Care Centers webinar provides an overview of the spectrum of clinical presentations of coronavirus and gives specific suggestions for decreasing the risk of transmission in ambulatory health care settings.

More information about the webinar can be found here: https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/joint-commission-online


Linen/Laundry

Association for Linen Management(ALM)

Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC)

Accreditation Standards for Processing Reusable TextilesPlease note that you can send a question to HLAC off the main page

HLAC Standards Checklist– excellent tool to use when visiting or assessing a healthcare laundry facility

ICAP (Nebraska Medicine) I have been cited for having linen stored inappropriately. What is the recommendation for storing linen?

Joint Commission – Standards FAQs

Joint Commission FAQ Does the JC require employers to commercially launder surgical scrubs and other surgical attire?

Laundering C. difficile patient items

Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA)

Video: The Six Cs – Handling Soiled Linen (order free flash drive at org/soiledlinen)


Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH)

LACDPH Health Professionals

Los Angeles Health Alert Network (LAHAN) - Subscribe to alerts

LACDPH Mandatory Reporting COVID-19 reporting form, Mandatory Reporting Summary, List of Reportable Conditions, Tuberculosis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, HIV/AIDS, Animal Bite to Human, List of Reportable Conditions (for laboratories).


Medical Waste (waste management)

OSHA Hazardous Waste

Stericyle (medical waste management company):

Knowledge Center

Navigating the Challenges of Managing Sharps Waste

Medication Preparation

ICAP (Nebraska Medicine) What is a “splash zone” and what is the guidance associated with it?


NHSN

NHSN(National Healthcare Safety Network)

2018 NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual(definitions for all HAIs reported into NHSN)

Acute Care / Critical Access Hospitals(ACH)

There are sections for each of the following:

BSI Event (Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection and Non-central Line Bloodstream Infection)

CLIPEvent (Central Line Insertion Practices Adherence Monitoring)

Guide to the SIR– 2019

Healthcare Personnel (HC) Flu Vaccination

Multidrug-Resistant Organism & Clostridioides difficile Infection (MDRO/CDI) Module

NHSN National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Newsletters

NHSN Self-Paced Interactive Trainings

NHSN Training Videos

Pneumonia (PedVAP) Events

Surgical Site Infection Event (SSI)

UTI – Surveillance for urinary tract infections

VAE – Surveillance for Ventilator-associated Events


NIOSH

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health)


NPPTL

NPPTL (National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory) Healthcare Respiratory Protection Resources

Operating Room Attire (ear and hair coverage)

A Statement from the Meeting of ACS, AORN, ASA, APIC, AST and TJC

(See PPE)


OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration)

OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration)

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (1910.1030)

OSHA Healthcare-Wide Hazards– Tuberculosis (excellent, easy to use resource)

Safety and Health TopicsStandard Interpretations

Tuberculosis Standards(overview)


Outbreak Response Guidance

CDC The CDC Field Epidemiology Manual

SHEA Expert Guidance:Outbreak Response and Incident Management: SHEA Guidance and Resources for Healthcare Epidemiologists in United States Acute-Care Hospitals

SHEA Outbreak Response Training Program(four free tool kits)


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

COVID-19: Conserving PPE.

More information can be found here: https://med.emory.edu/departments/medicine/divisions/infectious-diseases/serious-communicable-diseases-program/covid-19-resources/conserving-ppe.html

Donning and Doffing:

Doffing gloves, using the restroom, washing hands, and then donning a new pair of gloves processes: Learn how to put on Personal Protective Equipment from AHRQ (video 5 minutes)

More information can be found here: com

Infection Control Today Article: Surgical Masks offer little protection to healthcare workers can be found here: https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/surgical-masks-offer-little-protection-healthcare-workers

Isolation Gowns

AGPs: CDC guidelines state to wear a gown for AGPs. More information can be found

CDC PPE Guidelines when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19

Disposable Aprons is reviewed by the Centre for Evidence-Based medicine(2020):

The research found suggested that the risk of exposure in healthcare workers is greater with aprons than with gowns but that there is not sufficient data to quantify those risks in the context of primary or community care activity.

OSHA’s latest insights on the importance of PPE programs

Prices for PPE has increased and Becker’s cites a report published by the Society for Healthcare Organization Procurement Professionals that this increase is due to market forces and price-gouging. More information about the PPE price increase. More information can be found here:

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/supply-chain/prices-for-protective-gear-have-jumped-more-than-1-000.html

PPE Calculator

Supply Chain: Infection Control Today on Keeping the Supply Chain Intact in the Age of COVID-19. More information can be found here:

Guidelines from ANSI are found here: https://www.ansi.org/search#q=respirators&sort=relevancy

KN95: The FDA suggests that the KN95 are a level 1 mask (surgical/procedural mask).

N95s

Counterfeit N95s: Infection Control Today-Don’t Be Fooled: CDC Website Posts Photos of Counterfeit N95 Masks. More information can be found here: https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/dont-be-fooled-cdc-website-posts-photos-counterfeit-n95-masks

Decontamination Methods for 3M Filtering Facepiece Respirators such as N95 Respirators information can be found here:    https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1824869O/decontamination-methods-for-3m-filtering-facepiece-respirators-technical-bulletin.pdf

Ethanol spray damaged the fit and seal of the N95 after 2 rounds of decontamination and it is not recommended to use ethanol spray.

Respirators treated with UV and heat started to show fit and seal problems following g3 contaminations which suggested masks can be reused twice. There were no observed failures with the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, suggesting they can be re-used three times. It is the most effective decontamination method for N95. However, anyone who Is using a decontaminated mask should check fit and seal prior to each use.

Standard testing procedures: NIOSH has updated two Standard Testing Procedures (STP):

STP-0120—Determination of Positive Pressure—Open-Circuit, Pressure-Demand, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Standard Testing Procedure (STP)—has been updated to Revision 1.3, dated February 24, 2020. More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/stps/pdfs/RCT-ASR-0120-508.pdf

STP-0121—Determination of Rated Service Time—Open-Circuit, Demand and Pressure-Demand, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Standard Testing Procedure (STP)—has been updated to Revision 1.3, dated March 10, 2020. More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/stps/pdfs/RCT-ASR-0121-508.pdf

Surgical and cotton masks

Surgical and cotton masks are ineffective for SARS-CoV-2 virus droplets according to a study in South Korea. According to South Korean researchers, in a letter to the Annals of Internal Medicine, they compared both types of masks. When patients coughed into either type of mask, droplets of SARS-CoV-2 were released into the environment. This study did not include N95s.


Policy Review

ICAP (Nebraska Medicine)

How do I go about reviewing infection control policies and bringing them up to date?


Preop Antibiotic Guidelines

Clinical practice guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery

Developed jointly by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Surgical Infection Society (SIS), and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).


Principles of Epidemiology – Self Study Course

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): This self-study course is based upon the printed text: Principles of Epidemiology I Public Health, updated 2012.


Psychiatric Hospitals

TJC The Joint Commission

Behavioral Health Care HAI Portal

CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

State Operations Manual (SOM): Appendix AA – P Psychiatric Hospitals – Interpretive


Quality Improvement

Institute for Healthcare Improvement – IHI’s Quality Improvement Essentialsincludes the tools and templates you need to launch and manage a successful improvement project. Each of the ten tools in the toolkit includes a short description, instructions, an example and a blank template.


Respiratory Protection

New study on gaps in respiratory protection guidance

Opportunities to bridge gaps between respiratory protection guidance and practice– ICHE

Respiratory Fit Test FAQs


Return on Investment, IPC program

APICAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Infection Prevention-The Unappreciated Return on Investment: Patient Lives and the Bottom Line

Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority

Demonstrating Return on Investment for Infection Prevention and Control


Sepsis

See also WSHA (Sepsis and Septic Shock )

WHO How to prevent sepsisinfographic

Sepsis Alliance

CDC Clinical Resources for Sepsis

Sharps Safety (see Injection Safety)

SHEA (The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America)

For Our Patients and Their Visitors: Help Prevent InfectionsEndorsed by SHEA, IDSA, CDC, APIC, AHA, The Joint Commission

Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals

SHEA Guidelines and Expert Guidance Documents

Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)

Home Page Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)


Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)

ICHE Compendium Strategies to prevent surgical site infections in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update

AHA Guidance on humidity levels in the operating room (2015)

AHRQ Toolkit to Promote Safe Surgery

AHRQ Toolkit to Improve Safety in Ambulatory Surgery Centers

APIC Infection Preventionist’s Guide to the OR (2018)

APIC Guide to Elimination of Orthopedic and Mediastinitis SSIs (2010)

CDC Guideline for Prevention of SSIs (2017)

SHEA Guidance: Infection Prevention in the Operating Room Anesthesia Work Area

CDC HAN Alert – Contaminated Heater-Cooler Devices Using During Surgery (2016)

CMS SSI Reporting: Operational Guidance for Fulfilling Hospital Inpatient IQR

7S Bundle for Reducing SSIs

Air Contamination and SSI Risk – Resources from presentation by Maureen Spencer, 2018


Staffing and HAIs, Hospital

TJC Hospital Staffing and HAIs – A Systematic Review of the Literature, 2018

AJIC A Systematic Approach to Quantifying Infection Prevention Staffing and, 2018


Statistics

Online Statistics Education: A Multimedia Course of Study, Project leader David M. Lane, Rice University.

p Value, Type I and Type II Errors

Standard Deviation, Normal Distribution

Correlation

Morbidity Frequency Measures: incidence/attack rates, point/period prevalence

Statistics Definitions – Matching Activity

Sensitivity and Specificity

Sensitivity and Specificity Explained Clearly (Biostatistics)(12 minutes)

Medical Statistics: Calculating Sensitivity and Specificity Using a 2×2 Table(< 2 minutes)

Sensitivity & Specificity (Biostatistics) – Made Extremely Easy to Recall (snout and spin)(1 minute)

Statistical Process Control

CDC Risk Ratios


Testing Swabs

Companies design 3D-printed nasal swabs for coronavirus. More information can be found here: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/22/coronavirus-3d-printing-companies-answer-the-call-for-swabs-for-covid-19-tests.html


Tools and Forms

ICAP (Infection Control Assessment and Promotion Program), Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

The Nebraska ICAP team develops new tools for IPs or provides resources of tools and forms that are already available. They have compiled popularly used tools and forms on their website. These include:

VAE (ventilator-associated event)

Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update

AHRQ Toolkit to Improve Safety for Mechanically Ventilated Patients

AHRQDaily Care Processes Guide for Reducing VAEs

AHRQ CUSP Guide for Reducing Ventilator Associated Events in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

AHRQ VAE Surveillance: Facilitator Guide

ICU Liberation ABCDEF Bundle

IHI How-to Guide Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (includes vent bundle)

SHEA Patient Education Resources

VAEs: What they are are and what they are not (Michael Klompas, Respiratory Care, August 2019, 64 (8) 953-961):

From: Klompas,M. Resp Care, Aug 2019, 64(8).


Water Management

APIC What You Need to Know about Legionnaires’ Disease

ASHRAEGuidance on Reducing the Risk of Legionella

CDC Toolkit Developing a Water Management Program to Reduce LegionellaGrowth and Spread in Buildings

CDC Healthcare-associated Infections(includes risk from water; water management; sinks/drains/plumbing, research, opportunisthic pathogens of premise plumbing; and other resources.

CDC Healthcare-associated Legionella (Legionnaires’ Diseaseand Pontiac Fever)

CDC Legionella(including Toolkit for Controlling Legionella in Common Sources of Exposure)

CDC Special Considerations for Healthcare Facilities

CMSRequirement to Reduce Legionella Risk in Healthcare Facility Water Systems to Prevent Cases and Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease (LD)

ICT article on Preventing Waterborne Pathogen Transmission, Infection Control Today, March 2019

The Role of Water in Healthcare-Associated Infectoins (Brooke K. Decker and Tara N. Palmore, Current Opin Infect Dis. 2013 Aug; 26(4): 345-351): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5583640/

TJC The Joint Commission: Accountability MeasuresNew Water Management Requirements (Effective January 1, 2022)

Water Intrusions Primer for Infection Preventionists

WHO interim guidance ‘Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus’. This interim guidance is the second edition and supplements existing infection prevention and controldocuments by summarizing the latest evidence on COVID-19 in water supplies and sanitation.


WHO (World Health Organization)

WHO provides specific information for IPC

More information can be found here: https://www.statnews.com/2020/04/16/fda-changes-coronavirus-testing-swabs/