Building a Successful Infection Prevention Program: Key Components, Processes, and Economics

Sorabh Dhar; Evelyn Cook; Mary Oden; Keith S Kaye

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2016.04.009

Building a Successful Infection Prevention Program: Key Components, Processes, and Economics

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;30(3):567-89. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2016.04.009.

Authors

Sorabh Dhar¹, Evelyn Cook², Mary Oden³, Keith S Kaye⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, John D Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA; Harper University Hospital, 5 Hudson, 3990 John R, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Duke Infection Control Outreach Network, Duke University Medical Center, 1610 Sycamore Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA.
³ Infection Prevention, Clinical Operations, Tenet Health, 1443 Ross Avenue Suite 1400, Dallas, TX 75202, USA.
⁴ Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; University Health Center, 4201 Saint Antoine, Suite 2B, Box 331, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.

PMID: 27515138
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2016.04.009

Abstract

Infection control is the discipline responsible for preventing health care-associated infections (HAIs) and has grown from an anonymous field, to a highly visible, multidisciplinary field of incredible importance. There has been increasing focus on prevention rather than control of HAIs. Infection prevention programs (IPPs) have enormous scope that spans multiple disciplines. Infection control and the prevention and elimination of HAIs can no longer be compartmentalized. This article discusses the structure and responsibilities of an IPP, the regulatory pressures and opportunities that these programs face, and how to build and manage a successful program.

Keywords: Hospital epidemiology; Hospital-acquired infections; Infection control; Infection prevention.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
Cross Infection / prevention & control*
Humans
Infection Control* / economics
Infection Control* / methods
Infection Control* / organization & administration
United States