Infection control should be part of disaster plan

Guide for for ambulatory care centers on infection prevention during disasters recently released

By Healthcare Facilities Today


A big part of an ambulatory care center's preparation for disasters is to plan how to manage the increased risk for transmission of infectious disease. To assist this effort, the Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) recently released Infection Prevention for Ambulatory Care Centers During Disasters.

Terri Rebmann, PhD, RN, lead author of the guide and Associate Professor at Saint Louis University, College for Public Health and Social Justice - Institute for Biosecurity, often travels around the country speaking to people about the critical importance of planning, finding that most ACCs currently have no infection control plans for disaster, according to an article on MedScape.com. It was clear to Rebmann that guidance must be made widely available to help ACCs, large and small, develop emergency management plans for infection control suited to their unique roles in the community during a disaster.

Medscape spoke with Dr. Rebmann, and guide contributor Mark McCaulley, MD, from Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, about the aims and goals of the guide and how ACCs can take full advantage of these evidence-based recommendations.

Read the article.

 

 



September 30, 2013


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Gaps in Nurses' Environmental Cleaning Knowledge Grow Amid Rising EVS Pressures

Environmental cleaning is crucial in preventing HAIs, but when the responsibility falls to those outside of EVS teams, problems arise. 


Ground Broken on the Southern Nevada Forensic Facility

Construction on the new secure forensic psychiatric hospital is expected to be completed in 2029.


Jackson Hospital Falls Victim to Third-Party Cybersecurity Incident

Jackson Hospital has no evidence that any personal information has been or will be used for identity theft as a direct result of this incident.


Making Healthcare Lighting Retrofits Work

Effective operational planning determines whether a retrofit project improves a facility or creates new problems.


Stadium Design is Reshaping Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals are turning to the sports industry for innovative ways to support healing and improve the patient experience.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.