Groups Reach Consensus on Healthcare-Associated Infections

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Consensus for the development of a national standard for infection rate reporting was reached on Tuesday among experts in infection control and prevention, representatives from state government agencies, public health, and consumer groups. 

 The action followed a two-day consensus conference in Atlanta this week, during which the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), reiterated its commitment to creating a safer environment for patients.

Kathy Warye, APICs executive director said, We accomplished the goal of the conference by reaching consensus that development of a national standard for public reporting is the best approach for providing consumers with meaningful and reliable information.

As patient safety advocates, we are devoted to infection control and prevention, and recognize the importance of providing consumers with comparable infection rate information, said APIC president Sue Sebazco, RN, CIC.

Lisa McGiffert, representing the Consumers Union (CU), spoke to attendees about CUs Stop Hospital Infections campaign, and stressed the important role of the infection prevention community. We think infection control is fundamental to healthcare and to making this [reducing infections] work. We hope that what comes out of all of this is that infection control professionals get more support for what they do. Patients will be safer as a result. We believe you need more visible roles and I look forward to working with you to pursue these efforts.

Joining APIC in presenting this conference were the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Hospital Association, Consumers Union, National Quality Forum, and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

Tyco Healthcare/Kendall sponsored an archived Webcast of the conference, which will be available on the APIC Web site at www.apic.org in the coming weeks.

Source: APIC