Training needs of the infection control practitioner: Development of practice standards and internship programs

Abstract

The main mission of the Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (APIC) is to help its practitioners develop and improve the practice of infection control through education, communication, research, standardization, and professional relations (APIC bylaws, 1985). In only 13 years, most of these objectives have been realized. Although educational standards have been clearly defined and a certification process has been established for the infection control practitioner (ICP), infection control practice lacks standards. In the face of increasing .expectations for ICPs, the need intensifies to define what the entry-level ICP should be able to do, what the prospective employer should look for in hiring an ICP, and what standards, in both preparation and demonstrated competence, can help to assure that these expectations are met. Infection control practice standards should enable ICPs to determine the essential elements of an effective infection control program by providing a systematic and organized approach to consistent practice regardless of the setting in which they practice. The purpose of this commentary is to challenge our profession and APIC to develop practice standards and, more important, to devise a practical and accessible mechanism to implement them. Virtually all ICPs have been asked by both the lay public and various health professionals the following questions: (1) What is an epidemiologist? (2) What do you do in your day-today activities? (3) How do you become an ICP?