Certified Infection Control

Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, Asepsis

Identify and evaluate appropriate cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices based on intended use (e.g., Spaulding classification) Collaborate with stakeholders to determine if products are single use, able to be reprocessed internally, or require an external reprocessing facility

Identify and evaluate through direct observations critical steps of cleaning/low level disinfection, high level disinfection, and/or sterilization. Audit the documentation of the process to ensure regulatory and policy requirements are met.

Identification of Infectious Disease Processes

Interpret the relevance of diagnostic, radiologic, procedural, and laboratory reports.

Identify appropriate practices for specimen collection, transportation, handling, and storage

Correlate clinical signs, symptoms, and test results to identify possible infectious disease

Differentiate between colonization, infection, and pseudo infection (e.g., contamination)

Differentiate between prophylactic, empiric and therapeutic uses of antimicrobials

Assess risk factors for infectious diseases (e.g., travel, vaccination status, immunocompromising factors)

Monitor current and emerging local and global health threats (e.g., local, national, and international public health organizations)

Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation

Design of Surveillance Systems

Conduct a risk assessment based on the following: geographic location, demographics of the population served, care, treatment, services provided, analysis of infection prevention data, evidence-based guidelines or recommendations, and regulatory or other requirements as applicable

Develop goals and objectives based upon the risk assessment

Develop a surveillance plan based on the goals identified from the risk assessment

Adopt or establish standardized surveillance definitions

Create a process to identify epidemiologically significant findings and notify relevant parties (e.g., nursing unit, health department, leadership)

Integrate surveillance activities across health care settings (e.g., ambulatory, home health, long term care, acute care, behavioral)

Establish process for identifying individuals with communicable diseases requiring transmission-based precautions and/or follow up (e.g., reporting to health department)

Periodically evaluate the ability of the surveillance plan to obtain relevant data and modify as necessary

Collection and Compilation of Surveillance Data

Collect data using standardized definitions

Utilize a systematic approach to obtain and record surveillance data

Organize and manage data in preparation for analysis

Calculate the incidence and/or prevalence of infections

Calculate specific infection rates/ratios (e.g., provider specific, unit specific, device specific, procedure specific, Standardized Infection Ratio)

Interpretation of Surveillance Data

Validate surveillance data

Use basic statistical techniques to describe, analyze, and interpret data (e.g., mean, standard deviation, rates, ratios, proportions)

Compare surveillance results to published data and/or other relevant benchmarks (e.g., prior surveillance data, national databases)

Monitor and interpret the relevance of surveillance data (e.g., antimicrobial susceptibility patterns)

Prepare and present findings in a format that is relevant to the audience/stakeholders (e.g., graph, tables, charts)

Outbreak Investigation

Verify existence of an outbreak or exposure

Notify appropriate internal and external stakeholders

Collaborate with appropriate persons to establish the case definition, period of investigation, and case finding methods

Define the problem using time, place, person, and risk factors

Formulate hypothesis on source and mode of transmission

Collect additional data (e.g., environmental samples, active surveillance cultures)

Design and implement control measures, including ongoing surveillance

Monitor and evaluate control measures for effectiveness

Prepare and disseminate reports

Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents

Develop infection prevention policies and procedures based on law and regulation, manufacturer’s instructions for use, evidence based guidelines and national standards (as applicable)

Collaborate with relevant groups and agencies in planning community/facility responses to biologic threats and disasters (e.g., public health, anthrax, influenza, emerging pathogens)

Identify and implement infection prevention and control strategies related to:

Hand hygiene:

Appropriate availability, selection, use, and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment

Appropriate donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment

Patient placement, transfer, and discharge

Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

Use of patient care products and medical equipment

Principles of safe injection practices (e.g., parenteral medication administration, single use of syringes and needles, appropriate use of single and multi-dose vials)

Compounding medications

Identify and implement strategies related to Transmission based Precautions (in addition to standard precautions)

Adapt transmission based precautions to the specific healthcare setting, the facility design characteristics, and the type of patient interaction

Collaborate with key stakeholders on antimicrobial stewardship programs (e.g., leadership, pharmacist, infectious disease specialist)

Monitor and interpret the relevance of antimicrobial 

Susceptibility patterns

Collaborate with key stakeholders on emergency preparedness and management

Plan for the influx of patients with known/suspected communicable diseases (e.g., bioterrorism, emerging infectious diseases, syndromic surveillance)

Identify infection preventions role in mass casualty incidents and emergency/disaster management

Assess readiness of emergency management plans

Establish infection prevention coverage in emergency situations

Integrate infection prevention strategies into the four phases of emergency/disaster response in the emergency operations plan (e.g., mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery)

Employee/Occupational Health

Assess and/or develop screening and immunization programs

Collaborate with employee/occupational health regarding counseling, follow up, and work restriction recommendations related to communicable diseases and/or exposures

Collaborate with employee/occupational health to evaluate data related to infection prevention and provide recommendations (e.g., needle stick injuries, splashes)

Collaborate with employee/occupational health to identify healthcare personnel who may represent a transmission risk to patients, coworkers, and communities

Consult on use of alternative infection prevention options (e.g., allergies to products)

Assess risk of occupational exposure to infectious diseases (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, bloodborne pathogens)

Educate on safe work practices (e.g., PPE, safe injection practices, hand hygiene)

Management and Communication (Leadership)

Planning the Infection Prevention Program

Develop, evaluate, and revise goals, measurable objectives, and plan for the Infection Prevention Program

Assess needs then recommend specific equipment, personnel, information technology, and resources to support the Infection Prevention Program

Participate in cost benefit assessments, efficacy studies, evaluations, and standardization of products and processes

Recommend changes in practice based on regulation, critically appraised literature, clinical outcomes, and financial implications

Assign value to prevention of and/or presence of healthcare associated infection prevention (e.g., cost/benefit analysis, return on investment)

Communication

Provide infection prevention findings, recommendations, and reports to appropriate stakeholders

Facilitate and monitor implementation of policies, procedures, and recommendations

Establish a process to communicate notifiable diseases to internal and external stakeholders (e.g., health authority, receiving facility, transitions of care)

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in the identification and review of adverse and sentinel events

Evaluate and facilitate compliance with accreditation standards/regulatory requirements

Identify chain of command (e.g., media inquiry)

Quality Performance Improvement and Patient Safety

Participate in quality/performance improvement and patient safety activities related to infection prevention (e.g., failure mode and effects analysis, plan do study act)

Develop, monitor, measure, and evaluate infection prevention performance indicators to drive quality improvement initiatives

Select and apply appropriate quality/performance improvement tools (e.g., “fishbone” diagram, Pareto charts, flow charts, Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats, Gap Analysis)

Education & Research 

Education

Assess needs, develop goals and measurable objectives for preparing educational offerings

Prepare, present,  coordinate, and/or disseminate educational content that is appropriate for the audience

Identify the differences between the concepts of knowledge, training, and competency

Provide immediate feedback, education, and/or training to healthcare workers when lapses in practice are observed

Facilitate education of patients, families, and others regarding prevention and control measures

Assess the effectiveness of education and learner outcomes (e.g., observation of practice, process measures)

Implement strategies that engage the patient, family, and others in activities aimed at preventing infection

Research
Conduct a literature review

Critically appraise the literature (e.g., p value, peer reviewed)

Facilitate incorporation of applicable research findings into practice

Identify opportunities for research related to performance improvement (e.g., effectiveness studies, product trials)

Environment of Care

Environmental Safety

Recognize and collaborate on processes for a safe care environment (e.g., Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning management, water pathogen management, laundry, waste management, environmental cleaning)

Collaborate on the evaluation and monitoring of environmental cleaning and disinfection practices and technologies

Collaborate with others to select and evaluate environmental cleaning and disinfectant products

Identify infection prevention processes related to recall of potentially contaminated equipment, food, medications, and supplies

Monitor for environmental pathogens (e.g., Legionella, Aspergillus) 
Recognize and monitor elements important for a safe care environment (e.g., Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning, water standards, construction)

Evaluate infection risks and make recommendations during the planning, design, and commissioning phases of construction (e.g., surface choice, number of isolation rooms, type and placement of sinks)

Assess infection risks and provide recommendations for risk mitigation during construction, renovation, and maintenance (e.g., establishment of negative pressure, type of barriers)

Establish through collaboration, the monitoring of risk mitigation during construction, renovation, and maintenance through commissioning