Requirements for Infrastructure and Essential Activities of Infection Control and Epidemiology in Hospitals: A Consensus Panel Report

Abstract

The scientific basis for claims of efficacy of nosocomial infection surveillance and control programs was established by the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control project. Subsequent analyses have demonstrated nosocomial infection prevention and control programs to be not only clinically effective but also cost-effective. Although governmental and professional organizations have developed a wide variety of useful recommendations and guidelines for infection control, and apart from general guidance provided by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, there are surprisingly few recommendations on infrastructure and essential activities for infection control and epidemiology programs. In April 1996, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America established a consensus panel to develop recommendations for optimal infrastructure and essential activities of infection control and epidemiology programs in hospitals. The following report represents the consensus panel's best assessment of needs for a healthy and effective hospital-based infection control and epidemiology program. The recommendations fall into eight categories: managing critical data and information; setting and recommending policies and procedures; compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditation requirements; employee health; direct intervention to prevent transmission of infectious diseases; education and training of healthcare workers; personnel resources; and nonpersonnel resources. The consensus panel used an evidence-based approach and categorized recommendations according to modifications of the scheme developed by the Clinical Affairs Committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.

Neonatal nosocomial infections

“…A imunização anual contra cepas prevalentes do vírus influenza é altamente recomendada, porque os neonatos, especialmente aqueles pré-termo com doença pulmonar crônica, são particularmente vulneráveis a complicações, se adquirirem infecção, e a vacinação do pessoal possui custo-benefício muito satisfatório 72 .…”

Catheter‐related bloodstream infections in hematology

“…101,102 A comprehensive costbenefit analysis of surveillance is beyond the scope of this review, but electronic surveillance has recently been considered as an option for reducing resource requirements. Electronic surveillance systems have been used for monitoring of hospital-associated infections, [103][104][105] including bloodstream infections.…”

Lessons Regarding Percutaneous Injuries Among Healthcare Providers

“…41 A more recent Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) position paper argues that this ratio is no longer adequate because of the size and complexity of the infection control professional's workload, as well as his or her scope of practice. 42 Additional data examining the resources needed to provide adequate protection of healthcare workers in hospitals are needed.…”