Requirements for infrastructure and essential activities of infection control and epidemiology in out-of-hospital settings: A Consensus Panel report

In 1997 the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemio logy and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America established a c onsensus panel to develop recommendations for optimal infrastructure and es sential activities of infection control and epidemiology programs in out-of -hospital settings. The following report, represents the Consensus Panel's best, assessment of requirements for a healthy and effective out-of-hospita l-based infection control and epidemiology program. The recommendations fal l into 5 categories: managing critical data and information: developing and recommending policies and procedures; intervening directly to prevent infe ctions: educating and training of health care workers, patients, and nonmed ical caregivers; and resources. The Consensus Panel used an evidence-based approach and categorized recommendations according to modifications of the scheme developed by the Clinical Affairs Committee of the Infectious Diseas es Society of America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.