Infection Prevention: The Small but Mighty Teams in Health Care

HCA Healthc J Med. 2024 Oct 1;5(5):505-508. doi: 10.36518/2689-0216.2008. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Description Infection prevention is a team within health care facilities and systems whose members are vital to reducing and mitigating patient harm secondary to infectious disease. Infection preventionists are subject matter experts who reside in the quality department and are responsible for multiple areas beyond infectious disease spread. They assist nursing teams, employee health programs, and epidemiologists in decreasing the spread of illness. They are widely under-recognized, though they have a significant impact on the overall stability of the health care system and the communities they serve.

Keywords: communicable diseases; cross infection; hospitals; infection control; infection prevention; infectious disease.

Publication types

  • Editorial

Grants and funding

This research was supported (in whole or in part) by HCA Healthcare and/or an HCA Healthcare affiliated entity.