AHA and CDC co-publish guide to prevent and control infections

The AHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published a new guide with team-based best practices, case studies and resources on preventing infections in the health care environment. The book, which can be used by facility managers, environmental services departments and others, covers infection control risk assessments; hand hygiene infrastructure; reprocessing; cleaning of environmental surfaces; water-related environmental infection control; and flow of patients, personnel, equipment and waste. The AHA’s Health Research & Educational Trust and AHA’s American Society for Health Care Engineering helped produce the guide, as part of a three-year CDC initiative to improve infection prevention and control efforts in U.S. hospitals. “This collaborative effort uses research to identify leading practices that other hospitals can adopt within their facilities to help keep patients safe,” said ASHE Executive Director PJ Andrus. HRET Interim Vice President of Clinical Quality Sue Collier said, “No one department is solely responsible for infection prevention and we're grateful we could partner with our colleagues to break down any remaining siloes that prevent collaboration among all team members, including patients and families.”