Infection Control Committee
Definition
A health care facility has a moral duty to provide a safe environment for its patients. The infection control committee investigates hospital-acquired or nosocomial infections and seeks to prevent or control them. This committee is of the most important hospital committees which should be established in all hospitals.
Purpose of Infection Control Committee
- The committee’s purpose is to ratify the ideas of the infection control team and to disseminate infection control information.
- The committee provides the political support that empowers the infection control team to implement infection control policies.
- Aids the hospital in fulfilling the duty of providing a safe environment for the patients.
Infection Control Team
The infection control team is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the infection control programme. Health care establishments must have access to specialists in infection control, epidemiology, and infectious disease, including physicians and infection control practitioners. The Infection Control Committee is generally comprised of members from a variety of disciplines within the healthcare facility. Membership may vary but should include the following:
- Medical staff or physicians
- Hospital administration
- Nursing service
- Epidemiologist or the infection control coordinator – health care worker trained in the principles and practices of infection control, (e.g. a physician, microbiologist or registered nurse) as secretary.
- Quality assurance personnel
- Representatives from microbiology, surgery, central sterilization, environmental services and etc.
Responsibilities of Infection Control Committee
The role of the Infection Control Committee is very multi-faceted. It should be involved in planning, monitoring, evaluating, updating, and educating. It sets general infection control policy and provides input into specific infection control issues.
The main function of this committee is to prevent and control nosocomial infections. This goal is accomplished in a variety of ways some of which include: surveillance of nosocomial infections, product evaluation, investigation of infection outbreaks and infection clusters, development of infection control procedures for all departments, staff and patient education, medical waste management, etc.
The responsibilities of infection control committee are as follows:
- Approve changes necessary to eliminate hazardous practice. Included in its jurisdiction is the education of personnel so that they can provide a high standard of patient care.
- Carry out surveillance program.
- Develop and disseminate infection control policies.
- Monitor and manage critical incidents.
- Coordinate and conduct training activities.
- Develop an infection control manual and monitor and evaluate the performance of the infection control program.
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Daisy Jane Antipuesto RN MN
Currently a Nursing Local Board Examination Reviewer. Subjects handled are Pediatric, Obstetric and Psychiatric Nursing. Previous work experiences include: Clinical instructor/lecturer, clinical coordinator (Level II), caregiver instructor/lecturer, NC2 examination reviewer and staff/clinic nurse. Areas of specialization: Emergency room, Orthopedic Ward and Delivery Room. Also an IELTS passer.
