REQUIREMENTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES OF INFECTION-CONTROL AND EPIDEMIOLOGY IN HOSPITALS - A CONSENSUS PANEL REPORT

The scientific basis for claims of efficacy of nosocomial infection su rveillance and control programs was established by the Study on the Ef ficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control pr-eject. Subsequent analyses h ave demonstrated nosocomial infection prevention and control programs to be not only clinically effective but also cost-effective, Although governmental and professional organizations have developed a wide vari ety of useful recommendations and guidelines for infection control, an d apart from general guidance provided by the Joint Commission on Accr editation of Healthcare Organizations, there are surprisingly few reco mmendations on infrastructure and essential activities for infection c ontrol and epidemiology programs. In April 1996, the Society for Healt hcare Epidemiology of America established a consensus panel to develop recommendations for optimal infrastructure and essential activities o f infection control and epidemiology programs in hospitals. The follow ing report represents the consensus panel's best assessment of needs f or a healthy and effective hospital-based infection control and epidem iology program. The recommendations fall into eight categories: managi ng critical data and information; setting and recommending policies an d procedures; compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditati on requirements; employee health; direct intervention to prevent trans mission of infectious diseases; education and training of healthcare w orkers; personnel resources; and nonpersonnel resources. The consensus panel used an evidence-based approach and categorized recommendations according to modifications of the scheme developed by the Clinical Af fairs Committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Hospital Infection Contro l Practices Advisory Committee.