Infection Prevention: Role Evolves but Resources, Funding Remain Static

Denise M. Murphy, another author of the Stone et al. (2005) paper, emphasizes that ICPs are critical to the task of determining how many HAIs are preventable, and remarks, “We gather morbidity and mortality data for our infection control committees, but do we share that information with those who actually decide how our resources are allocated? Probably not. Most of us need to be more proactive in seeing to it that the decision makers understand and value our work. Healthcare executives may be interested in the national impact of infection prevention and control, but they are very interested in the local impact. It is important that they know about infectious organisms and antibiotic resistance, but they are often more receptive to information on the number of beds occupied by infected patients. Unless the hospital is on a per diem reimbursement system, freeing beds for new patients is a priority. Any information about the number of excess days and costs attributable to HAIs is thus likely to be favorably received.”

Murphy adds, “As ICPs and epidemiologists, we not only add value to our workplace but also to the communities in which we live. We have the expertise and experience to provide educational and consultation services for local health departments, doctors in private practice, and home healthcare providers. We are familiar with the literature and know the dangers of multidrug-resistant organisms; we understand how to prevent infections and how to prepare for public health emergencies. It is our business, but we must do a better job of explaining it to those who influence policy and write the checks. People are suffering and dying needlessly from infections every day. With sufficient resources, there is little doubt that we can help ease the burden of infectious diseases and save many more lives.”

Research in Infection Prevention

Many experts are calling for improved academic rigor and increased research to help document the infection prevention imperative. APIC has begun to spearhead such research, first with the MRSA Prevalence Study in 2007, and the Clostridium difficile Prevalence Study in 2008. Both studies were conducted under the auspices of APIC and the APIC Research Foundation, which funds and conducts studies to answer key research questions that aim to advance the understanding and practice of infection prevention and control.

Lynch et al. (2001) comment, “Much work remains to be done within infection control ... many fundamental research questions remain unanswered in the areas of surveillance, prevention, and control of nosocomial complications. The lack of an organized and thoughtful research agenda for the future limits the focus to small questions and promotes continued fragmentation.”