Basic Principles of Infection Control

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in children contribute substantially to morbidity and pose a significant risk to patient safety. Infection prevention and control strategies are designed to protect patients and healthcare workers from acquiring and transmitting infectious diseases. Hand hygiene and isolation practices are the foundation of many infection prevention programs. Evidence-based guidelines assist institutions in implementing these best practices and recommendations. Increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens presents a unique challenge for infection preventionists. Increased application of quality improvement methodology and national improvement networks provide opportunities to identify new and innovative strategies for prevention and control of HAIs. Furthermore, required reporting of HAIs serves as a mechanism of accountability and incentive for continued improvement. Although rare, hospital outbreaks require coordinated investigation and management with all key stakeholders. The general principles of infection control historically have been focused on the hospital setting; however, there is an increasing amount of procedures and patient care delivered in outpatient, transitional, or long-term care facilities. Thus, practitioners should also apply appropriate principles of infection control and prevention in these settings.