Article discusses essential elements for IPC manual

An article published last week in the American Journal of Infection Control lists essential elements health care facilities should incorporate into their infection prevention control manual. Based on 19 papers, the researchers say the manual should start with an overview of relevant national and international IPC guidelines, regulations and standards. Manuals should include procedures for correct hand hygiene practices, handwashing techniques and the correct use of personal protective equipment. Among other suggestions, manuals should describe IPC interventions to change health care worker behavior and provide ways to monitor changes. Manuals also should contain information about implementing a hospital acquired infection surveillance program. The authors suggest others could build on their research to create a standardized national IPC manual for hospital settings. (American Journal of Infection Control article, 9/7/23)