What is the purpose of the Infection Control Program?

The Infection Control Program at Licking Memorial Health Systems exists to prevent the occurrence of, or to limit the spread of, nosocomial infections in patients, health care workers, visitors and others in the health care environment.

What is the Infection Control Program?

The Infection Control Committee (ICC), as established in the Medical Staff Bylaws, is responsible for the Infection Control Program of the Licking Memorial Health Systems.  The goals of the program are:

• The surveillance of potential hospital infections
• The review and analysis of actual infections
• The promotion of preventive and corrective programs designed to minimize infection hazards
• The supervision of infection control in all phases of the hospital activities

One full-time employee manages the program with training in Infection Control (IC).  The committee meets quarterly to analyze surveillance data, determine actions necessary to achieve goals of the IC Program, approve policies applicable to IC and to receive input from its members about IC concerns.  At least annually the Committee reviews the program to determine effectiveness and to define the Surveillance activities for the next year.

All results of the Infection Control activities are reported at Infection Control Committee meetings and at the Medical Executive Committee meeting.  The Infection Prevention Manager or other members of the Infection Control Committee report results of activities to the involved departments.

What types of infections does the Infection Control Committee monitor?

The current surveillance activities briefly include:

1. Device Associated infection rates that may be benchmarked against rates published by CDC
2. Device Associated Infection rates on nursing units that are benchmarked internally only
3. The rate of appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery patients
4. The prevalence and the nosocomial transmission of antibiotic resistant organisms – especially MRSA and VRE
5. The possible transmission of C. difficile infections
6. Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles –  published annually by the Microbiology Department
7. PPD testing compliance and conversion rates among employees
8. Body Fluid exposures and Communicable Disease exposures among employees

What other functions does Infection Control perform?

1. Routine surveillance of patient care areas of LMH to assure compliance with Infection Control policies and periodic surveillance of non-patient care areas
2. Communicable disease reporting to the Ohio Department of Health (through the local health department) through the Infection Prevention Manager – reports based on results obtained from the Laboratory and communication from staff
3. Routine review of microbiology reports and admitting diagnoses to recognize clusters of infection or unusual pathogens
4. Providing all employee health services involving infectious disease
5. Development and ongoing review/revision of policies/procedures with infection control implications – new or revised patient care procedures reviewed as indicated
6. Evaluating new products that have Infection Control implications by working closely with the Purchasing Department
7. Providing ongoing education to staff about Infection Control
8. Instituting appropriate control measures or studies when there is considered to be a danger of infection to a patient or personnel

What are the times that Infection Control may be reached?

The Infection Prevention Director, Jeanne Emmons, is usually available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday though Friday.  Alternate sources are always specified when the Infection Prevention Director is unavailable.

The phone number for the office is (740) 348-4158.

Voice mail may be left at that number at any time.

Where is Infection Control Located?

The Infection Prevention Director’s office is located in the Laboratory on the first floor of Licking Memorial Hospital.