Hospital Infection Control Practices

Mangram AJ, Horan TC, Pearson ML, Silver LC, Jarvis WR Guideline for prevention of surgical site infection, 1999. Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1999 20 247-280. 

Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). Recommendations for preventing the spread of vancomycin resistance. Am J Infect Control 199523(2) 87-94. 

Center for Disease Control. Immunization of healthcare workers. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advising Committee (HICPAC). Morb. Mort. Wkly. Rep. 1997, 46, RR-18. 

Benefltassociated withidentiflcationof HCV infections in health care workers is limited. However, the CDC, in collaboration with the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, recommends that health care instimtions consider implementing policies and procedures for follow-up for HCV infection after percutaneous or permucosal exposures to blood. Follow-up should include testing the source for anti-HCV baseline and 6-month follow-up testing for anti-HCV and AST for the person exposed to an anti-HCV-positive source confirmation by snpplemental anti-HCV testing of all anti-HCV-reactive resnlts and edncation of health care workers about blood-borne infections. Postexposure prophylaxis with Ig or interferon is not recommended. There are no specific recommendations for HCV immnne prophylaxis for exposed individuals. Prophylaxis with Ig after needlestick exposure to hepatitis C is not recommended. ... 

Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Board. "Recommendations for Preventing the Spread of Vancomycin Resistance." Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. February 1995, pages 105113. 

Gamer JS and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1996. Guidelines for isolation precautions in hospitals. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 17 53-80. 

Tablan OC, Anderson LJ, Arden NH, Breiman RE, Butler JC, McNeil MM, The Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Guideline for prevention of nosocomial pneumonia. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1994 15(9) 588-627. 

For more information, see Gamer, J. S. (1996). Guidelines for infection control practices in hospitals. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 17, 53-80. 

With respect to transmission among health care workers (HCW), from HCW to the patients or in hospital setting in general, the major motif for the spread of the virus is the non-compliance with recommended infection control practices, shown again in the studies of Simonsen et al. (1999) and Kane et al. (1999). 

In its core interventions for BSI reduction, the CDC advocates patient education. Main components are (1) hand hygiene and basic infection control practices during catheter accessing process (e.g., aseptic technique, masks, hub disinfection), (2) access care at home, (3) role of and risks associated with catheters, and (4) knowing signs and symptoms of infection and when to notify the physician. Despite mixed results in other studies, Cheng et al. [10] described a 40% lower risk of hospitalization due to infection and a 51% mortality reduction in patients with chronic kidney disease who received a multidisciplinary education prior to dialysis onset. We conclude that patient education is a valuable tool in the prevention of CLABSIs. 

Previous studies have indicated that hospitals with effective surveillance and infection control programs have rates of pneumonia 20% lower than hospitals without such programs (2). Effective targeted surveillance for high-risk patients, coupled with staff education, use of proper isolation techniques, and effective infection control practices, is the cornerstone for the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia (1,162,165). 

Pennington JE. Nosocomial respiratory infections. In Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett s Principles and Practice of Infectious Disease. 4th ed. New York Churchill Livingstone, 1995 2599-2616. Schleupner CJ, Cobb DK. A study of the etiologies and treatment of nosocomial pneumonia in a community-based teaching hospital. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1992 13 515-525. 

Constant monitoring of resistance patterns in a hospital or community (changing recommended antibiotics used for empirical treatment when the prevalence of resistance becomes high), and good infection control in hospitals (e.g. isolation of carriers, hand hygiene practices for ward staff) to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria... 

In conjunction with the World Health Organization, CDC has developed practical. hospilal ba.sed guidelines, titled Infection Control for Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers In the African Health Care Setting. The manual can help health-care facilities recognize cases and prevent further hospital-based disease transmission using locally available materials and few financial resources. 

Gershon, R.R.M., Karkashian, C.D., Grosch, J.W., Murphy, L.R., Escamilla-Cejudo, A., Flanagan, P.A., Bemacki, E., Kasting, C. and Martin, L. 2000. Hospital safely climate and its relationship with safe work practices and workplace exposure irKidents. American Journal of Infection Control, 28(3), 211-21. 

Ayliffe G.A.J., Coates D. Hofifinan P.N. (1993) Chemical Disinfection in Hospitals. London PHLS. British Medical Association (1989) Code of Practice for Sterilization of Instruments and Control of Cross Infection. London BMA (Board of Science and Education). 

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