INFECTION CONTROL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES

ELEMENT I

Healthcare professionals have the responsibility to adhere to scientifically accepted principles and practices of infection control and to oversee and monitor the performance of those ancillary personnel for whom the professional is responsible.

Infection control practices can stop the spread of infection in healthcare settings.

Title 10, part 92 (Health), of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules, and Regulations of New York, and the Rules of the Board of Regents, Part 29.2(a)(13), identify professionals who must receive infection control training, and defines unprofessional conduct in the area of infection prevention and control as the failure to use scientifically accepted infection control practices to prevent transmission of disease pathogens as appropriate to each profession, including:

  • Cleaning and sterilization or disinfection of instruments, devices, materials, and work surfaces
  • Utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Use of covers for contamination-prone equipment
  • Safe handling of sharp instruments (“sharps”)

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the federal agency that provides scientifically sound infection control recommendations. Other professional organizations and accrediting agencies that provide guidelines, standards, and recommended practices for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings include:

  • The Joint Commission
  • American Hospital Association
  • Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
  • Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Det Norske Veritas Healthcare, Inc.

Consequences for Unprofessional Conduct

The consequences of failure to follow accepted standards of infection prevention and control include:

  • Increased risk of adverse health outcomes for patients and healthcare workers
  • Charges of professional misconduct

Patients, family members, or coworkers can file charges against a healthcare professional through their institution or directly to the New York State Department of Health, Office of Health Systems Management, which will investigate the complaint. Depending on the severity of misconduct, outcomes may include:

  • Disciplinary action
  • Revocation of professional license
  • Professional liability

To be in compliance in order to avoid charges of unprofessional conduct, designated healthcare professionals must:

  • Participate in required infection prevention and control training
  • Adhere to accepted principles and practices of infection prevention and control