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APIC launches “Targeting Zero” initiative
editorial APIC launches ‘‘Targeting Zero’’ initiative Elizabeth Garman, APIC Communications Director
Campaign will arm infection prevention professionals with tools to eliminate Clostridium difficile and infections deemed preventable by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In January 2008, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Prevention (APIC) will begin a series of new educational initiatives aimed at eliminating health care-associated infections (HAIs) ranging from Clostridium difficile–associated disease to the 3 infections that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have classified as preventable occurrences: catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs), central line catheter–associated bloodstream infections, and mediastinitis (deep infection following coronary artery bypass surgery). The APIC programs will provide a comprehensive package of education, research, and guidance for infection prevention and control professionals. ‘‘As the nation’s largest infection prevention organization, we are leading an effort to eradicate these infections,’’ says APIC CEO Kathy L. Warye. ‘‘The Targeting Zero Campaign is intended to accelerate both learning and the delivery of practical tools for infection prevention professionals. In keeping with our efforts to create a culture of zero tolerance for noncompliance with measures proven to prevent HAIs, this program will clearly demonstrate to health care administrators and clinicians how they can implement effective strategies and simpler systems for protecting patients from these deadly infections.’’
Address correspondence to Elizabeth Garman, Communications Director, Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology, 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005, E-mail: [email protected].
Am J Infect Control 2008;36:77. 0196-6553/$34.00 Copyright ª 2008 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2007.12.002
Launching in January 2008, APIC’s comprehensive program to address C difficile will include a prevalence study to gain a better understanding of the scope of the problem. C difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea as well as more serious intestinal conditions, such as colitis. Over the past 2 years, a new strain of C difficile has caused hospital outbreaks in several states. APIC also intends to develop a ‘‘Guide to the Elimination of C difficile,’’ including strategies for controlling transmission; an educational webinar series; and a conference in the fall of 2008 featuring results of the prevalence study, along with the latest science, epidemiology, and best practices in the elimination of C difficile transmission. To help infection prevention and control professionals address new changes to the CMS regulations, which eliminate or reduce payments for the aforementioned 3 hospital-acquired infections, APIC will offer comprehensive educational programs on each of the 3 infections, using nationally recognized clinicians to discuss elimination strategies. APIC will also develop an elimination guide with practical implementation strategies for each infection. ‘‘We want to prepare infection prevention and control professionals to more effectively educate and influence front-line health care teams about process improvements that could ensure safe patient outcomes,’’ says Denise Murphy, 2007 APIC President and Vice President of Safety and Quality and Chief Patient Safety and Quality Officer at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis.‘‘Leveraging the new CMS guidelines, we hope to heighten awareness among clinical and administrative leadership about the value of infection prevention. Responding to this challenge requires a blend of research, education, and practice guidance—a combination of activities that APIC is uniquely positioned to undertake. Following our positive experience taking a very comprehensive approach to MRSA in 2007, we plan to launch an aggressive fight against these deadly infections on multiple fronts in 2008.’’ For more information, please visit www.apic.org. 77
Campaign will arm infection prevention professionals with tools to eliminate Clostridium difficile and infections deemed preventable by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In January 2008, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Prevention (APIC) will begin a series of new educational initiatives aimed at eliminating health care-associated infections (HAIs) ranging from Clostridium difficile–associated disease to the 3 infections that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have classified as preventable occurrences: catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs), central line catheter–associated bloodstream infections, and mediastinitis (deep infection following coronary artery bypass surgery). The APIC programs will provide a comprehensive package of education, research, and guidance for infection prevention and control professionals. ‘‘As the nation’s largest infection prevention organization, we are leading an effort to eradicate these infections,’’ says APIC CEO Kathy L. Warye. ‘‘The Targeting Zero Campaign is intended to accelerate both learning and the delivery of practical tools for infection prevention professionals. In keeping with our efforts to create a culture of zero tolerance for noncompliance with measures proven to prevent HAIs, this program will clearly demonstrate to health care administrators and clinicians how they can implement effective strategies and simpler systems for protecting patients from these deadly infections.’’
Address correspondence to Elizabeth Garman, Communications Director, Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology, 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005, E-mail: [email protected].
Am J Infect Control 2008;36:77. 0196-6553/$34.00 Copyright ª 2008 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2007.12.002
Launching in January 2008, APIC’s comprehensive program to address C difficile will include a prevalence study to gain a better understanding of the scope of the problem. C difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea as well as more serious intestinal conditions, such as colitis. Over the past 2 years, a new strain of C difficile has caused hospital outbreaks in several states. APIC also intends to develop a ‘‘Guide to the Elimination of C difficile,’’ including strategies for controlling transmission; an educational webinar series; and a conference in the fall of 2008 featuring results of the prevalence study, along with the latest science, epidemiology, and best practices in the elimination of C difficile transmission. To help infection prevention and control professionals address new changes to the CMS regulations, which eliminate or reduce payments for the aforementioned 3 hospital-acquired infections, APIC will offer comprehensive educational programs on each of the 3 infections, using nationally recognized clinicians to discuss elimination strategies. APIC will also develop an elimination guide with practical implementation strategies for each infection. ‘‘We want to prepare infection prevention and control professionals to more effectively educate and influence front-line health care teams about process improvements that could ensure safe patient outcomes,’’ says Denise Murphy, 2007 APIC President and Vice President of Safety and Quality and Chief Patient Safety and Quality Officer at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis.‘‘Leveraging the new CMS guidelines, we hope to heighten awareness among clinical and administrative leadership about the value of infection prevention. Responding to this challenge requires a blend of research, education, and practice guidance—a combination of activities that APIC is uniquely positioned to undertake. Following our positive experience taking a very comprehensive approach to MRSA in 2007, we plan to launch an aggressive fight against these deadly infections on multiple fronts in 2008.’’ For more information, please visit www.apic.org. 77