Infection Control Initiatives

Infection control is a critical component of safe, quality health care.  The Joint Commission is addressing this important issue with a number of initiatives.

What's New

• Report on HAI Tracking from HHS Deputy Secretary for Health Care Quality (1/29/10) 
  • This report from the Department of Health and Human Services' Don Wright, MD, gives an update on the steps HHS is taking to streamline and simplify the federal system for tracking health care associated infections.
• Free Podcast on Improving Your Influenza Vaccination Program (10/15/09)
• Webinar * - NPSG 7 Healthcare-Associated Infections From the Bedside to the C-Suite
  • Reduce HAIs by complying with NPSG.07.03.01, NPSG.07.04.01, NPSG.07.05.01
  • Understand how these three NPSGs relate to the Infection Control Chapter requirements
  • See the role infection prevention and control plays in high reliability organizations
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Monographs

• “Providing a Safer Environment for Health Care Personnel and Patients through Influenza Vaccination” (6/24/09)
• “Measuring Hand Hygiene Adherence”  (4/14/09)

Speak Up

• Five Things You Can Do To Prevent Infection 
  (Requires Adobe Reader)

Additional Resources

• National Patient Safety Goals
• Compendium of Strategies to Prevent HAIs in Acute Care Hospitals (SHEA)
• Infection Control Related Sentinel Events

Joint Commission Resources (JCR)

• Hand Hygiene Buttons
  • "Ask Me If I've Washed My Hands" 
  • "Stopping Infection Is in Our Hands" 
• Hand Hygiene: Toolkit for Implementing the NPSG
• Meeting The Joint Commission's IC Requirements