Infection Prevention Programs

Question 1

Three principle goals for IPAC Programs

Answer 1

1. protect the patient
2. protect HCP, visitors, and others in the healthcare environment
3. Accomplish the previous two goals in a cost-effective manner whenever possible.

Question 2

Four principle functions of an IPAC program

Answer 2

1. Obtain and manage critical data and information, including surveillance for infections.
2. To develop and recommend policies and procedures
3. To intervene directly to prevent infections and interrupt the transmission of infectious diseases.
4. To educate and train HCP, patients, and nonmedical caregivers.

Question 3

The core of the IPAC program is the IP, chair of the infection prevention committee, and the healthcare epidemiologist.

Answer 3

A facility may have an IPAC committee that functions as the central decision-making and policy-making body for infection prevention.

Question 4

The IPAC Committee acts as the advocate for prevention and control of infections in the facility, formulates and monitors patient care policies, educates staff, and provides political support that empowers the team.

Answer 4

IPC must be multidisciplinary, should meet regularly, usually monthly or quarterly.

Question 5

Because infection prevention issues and measures often cross departmental lines, an IPC that is multidisciplinary is crucial.

Question 6

The IP functions as a consultant, educator, role model, researcher, and change agent.

Answer 6

Responsibilities include education, consultation, surveillance, implementation science, patient safety, and quality improvement.

Question 7

Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit are examples of decision analysis studies

Question 8

Effectiveness refers to the outcome of care.

Answer 8

It can be expressed as the number of cases of disease prevented, the number of lives saved, or the number of life years saved.

Question 9

Cost-benefit analysis looks at outcomes in terms of cost.

Answer 9

Benefits other than direct financial costs also are important in evaluating the impact of infection prevention activities. These include decreasing malpractice claims, protecting employees from injury, assisting in patient safety efforts, and enhancing the organization’s image.

Question 10

Written IPAC policies are often developed that relate to staff and patient-care practices, construction/renovation, emergency management, occupational health, and sterilization/disinfection.

Answer 10

These policies must be supported scientifically and address the infection prevention needs for the institution.

Education of staff is crucial to the success of any IPAC program.

Question 11

Quality of an IPAC Program

Answer 11

1. Team determines goals and objectives for the IPAC program by performing an annual risk assessment.
2. ID of high volume, high risk, and problem prone activities is an important component of the risk assessment.
3. IPAC resources and data systems needs should be evaluated in the context of these goals and objectives.
4. The risk assessment can assist in setting priorities and obtaining support from key stakeholders.

Question 12

IP managers are individuals who plan, organize, direct, control and coordinate activities in order to move the organization toward desired objectives.

Answer 12

The manager is to guide the organization towards accomplishing goals. The 6 basic functions: planning, organizing, staffing, leading, controlling, and motivating.

Question 13

Which of the following is the MOST important reason for having an IPAC Committee?
1. It is necessary to justify the IP’s position
2. The IPC is a vehicle for communication and consensus building
3. The IPC function is required by the Joint Commission
4. the IPC can replace the organization’s safety committee

Answer 13

2. IPAC committee serves as the central-decision making and policy making body for IPAC. The IPC often ratifies and refines the ideas of the infection prevention teams. Its members disseminate the info discussed in the meeting.

Question 14

Strategic planning includes all of the following steps EXCEPT:
1. action planning
2. defining the common purpose for all departmental activities
3. an analysis of the organization
4. forming conclusions about what an organization must do

Answer 14

Strategic planning is an organization’s process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. Steps integral to the process include:
1. Determine where you are
2. Identify what is important
3. Define what you must achieve
4. Determine who is accountable
5. Review

Question 15

Elements of an occupational health program include: surveillance, education, immunization, and injury prevention and response.

Question 16

The average risk for transmission of HV by the exposure type is 0.3 percent for percutaneous, 0.1 percent for mucous membrane contact, and less than 0.1 percent for nonintact skin contact.

Answer 16

Know transmission percentages for HIV, Hep B and Hep C.

Question 17

The risk of hepatitis B seroconversion after a percutaneous injury ranges from 23 to 62 percent depending on the Hep B E antigen status of the source person.

Question 18

HBsAg= Hepatitis B surface antigen
Anti-HBC= antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen
Total anti-HBc assay detects both IgM and IgG antibody
IgM immunoglobulin M= Anti-HBs antibody to hepatitis B surface =0antigen