Curriculum for "A Primer for Designated Infection Control Program Managers in Ambulatory Surgical Settings"
ELEMENT 1: CMS REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMPREHENSIVE INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAM IN AN AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER
The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires ambulatory surgery centers to establish and maintain a fully coordinated infection control program as specified in CMS Regulation 42 CFR Part 416.51 entitled Conditions for Coverage: Infection Control.
The appointed infection control officer for an ambulatory surgical center is expected to be knowledgeable about regulatory requirements and current standards for implementing and maintaining an effective infection control program. This section of the course presents a discussion of the fundamental parts of an infection control program that complies with CMS regulations and recognized national standards.
Upon completion of this element, the learner will be able to:
- Appraise a new or existing infection control program at an ASC for compliance with CMS requirements.
- Evaluate the competency of the designated infection control program manager at an ASC.
ELEMENT 2: MECHANISMS OF TRANSMISSION OF PATHOGENIC ORGANISMS IN THE HEALTH CARE SETTING AND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL
The designated infection control officer at an ASC is expected to possess a working knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology and concepts pertinent to the prevention of infectious disease transmission in the health care setting.
Upon completion of this element, the learner will be able to:
- Summarize mechanisms by which pathogenic organisms are transmitted to patients and staff in the health care setting.
- Identify practical strategies to reduce the risk of transmission of pathogenic organisms.
ELEMENT 3: RECOMMENDED ENGINEERING AND WORK PRACTICE STRATEGIES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF PATIENT AND HEALTH CARE WORKER EXPOSURE TO POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIAL
The infection control officer is expected to be knowledgeable about infection risks associated with the physical environment and the work practices of staff at all levels. This section of the course presents information on environmental controls, specialized devices, and work practice techniques which significantly reduce the risk of patient and health care worker exposure to infection.
Upon completion of this element, the learner will be able to:
- Choose personal protective equipment appropriate to the task being performed.
- Assess engineering controls that reduce exposure of patients and staff to pathogens.
- Describe work practice controls that reduce exposure of patients to pathogens.
ELEMENT 4: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR CLEANING, DISINFECTION, AND STERILIZATION OF EQUIPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SURFACES IN AMBULATORY SURGICAL SETTINGS
Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices are a significant concern in all ambulatory surgery centers. Infection control officers are expected to be knowledgeable about the basic principles and practices for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of equipment and environmental surfaces. This section of the course provides information regarding the disinfection and sterilization of patient care equipment and the maintenance of the patient care environment.
Upon completion of this element, the learner will be able to:
- Determine the correct method for reprocessing a piece of reusable patient care equipment.
- Cite the most important considerations in the sterilization process of critical patient care equipment.
- Specify the conditions under which immediate use steam sterilization may be performed.
- Outline important steps in reprocessing semi-critical patient care equipment.
- Summarize the important considerations disinfecting non-critical patient care items.
- Explain the liability associated with reprocessing a single-use disposable item.
ELEMENT 5: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STRATEGIES: PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING INFECTIOUS AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS
The designated infection control officer is expected to ensure that mechanisms are in place to monitor the health and immunity of ASC employees. An effective occupational health program will reduce the risk of patients acquiring infections from staff members; reduce the risk of staff members acquiring infections from patients; and have a plan in place so that staff members receive the appropriate treatment and management should an occupational exposure to a pathogen occur. This section of the course presents strategies for assessing, preventing, and controlling infections and communicable diseases in health care workers.
Upon completion of this element, the learner will be able to:
- Propose occupational health strategies for preventing the transmission of communicable diseases in ambulatory surgical settings.
- List the procedures necessary to manage employee exposures to blood or body fluids containing blood.