APIC Launches Infection Prevention Program Evaluation Tool

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology has launched the "IP Program Evaluation Tool," designed to help professionals assess the resources needed to improve patient safety through infection prevention programs, according to an APIC news release.

Offered as a CD-ROM, the tool contains a multi-section assessment program to evaluate current infection prevention services and resources and conduct an objective program gap analysis, according to the release. The new tool will be given to every APIC member within the spring issue of Prevention Strategist, APIC's quarterly publication.

"The IP Program Evaluation Tool is an important follow-up to APIC's 2009 Economic Survey, which found that budgets for infection prevention have been cut at many of our nation’s healthcare facilities," APIC CEO Kathy Warye said in the release. "With the rise in antibiotic resistance, prevention efforts are essential to combat the spread of healthcare-associated infections. We believe the new tool will assist our members in gaining the resources they need to protect patients."

The tool provides a method of determining the appropriate mix of infection prevention resources within the current healthcare environment and takes into account the enormous variation in facility demographics, services offered, personnel, electronic surveillance tools, quality initiatives and job function of the infection preventionist, according to the release.

Read the release about APIC's IP Program Evaluation Tool.