- Email: [email protected]
Guidelines committee
Research
Committee
RESEARCH CONSULTATION APIC ‘88
BOOTH,
For the second year the Research Committee Consultation Clinic was well received and used. Fifteen persons took advantage of the opportunity to receive free consultation from an APIC member with research experience. Among those participating were 13 nurses (87%) and two medical technologists (13%) with an average of 7.6 years of experience in infection control. The majority (73%) had not previously been involved in research. Two thirds of advisees sought guidance regarding problem identification and study design, and one third wanted help or suggestions about writing up complete investigations. Topics of interest were respiratory infection, surgical infections, AIDS, handwashing, and infection related to intravenous care. Nine different consultants volunteered their time. It is encouraging to note that persons in the field are seeking involvement in research and recognizing the value of research in effecting practice changes. As a follow-up investigation, we contacted five participants in the 1987 Consultation Clinic. They all thought that the Clinic had been helpful, and we know of at least two studies that have been completed as a result of the Clinic experience. The Research Committee is pleased to offer this useful service to APIC members. The Committee’s activities will expand throughout this next year to include the overseeing and sponsoring of a specific project. We invite suggestions of the members regarding their research needs and interests. 1988 APIC Research Committee Sandra Landry, RN, MS, CIC, Chairman Brian Cooper, MD Helen J. Rosen Kotilainen, MT (ACSP), CLS (NCA), CIC Elaine Larson, RN, PhD, FAAN Frank Rhame, MD Barbara Terry, RN, BSN
44A
APIC QUIDELINES FOR INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICE
APIC guidelines for infection control practice will be developed on topics of greatest concern to infection control practitioners that are not adequately addressed by other organizations. Currently guidelines for four topics are in various stages of development: 1. “Use of Topical Antimicrobial Agents” by Elaine Larson, RN, PhD, FAAN 2. “Selection and Use of Disinfectants” by William A. Rutala, PhD, MPH 4. “Home Health” by Rebecca Scott, RN, Martha Trusler, RN, and Bryan Simmons, MD 4. “Extended Care Facilities,” by Phil Smith, MD, and Patricia Rusnak, RN Each guideline is extensively reviewed by the APIC Guidelines Committee, Board of Directors, committee chairmen, legal counsel, the editor of the AMERICANJOURNALOF INFECTION CONTROL,and experts from other professional organizations. After approval by the Guidelines Committee and the Executive Committee of the Board, the draft guideline is published in the Bulletin section of the JOURNALfor review and comment by the APIC membership. The final guideline is then published in the main section of the JOURNALafter again receiving the approval of the APIC Guidelines Committee, the APIC Board of Directors, and the Board Subcommittee on Conflict of Interest. All APICguidelines will be reviewed biannually and revised as necessary. REUSE/REPR~ESSINQ MEDICAL DEVICES
OF
The safety, legal, and ethical issues surrounding the practice of reprocessing and reusing dis-
Volume
16 Number
August
1988
4
Committee reports
posable medical devices labeled for single use continues to be controversial. Although the extent is not known, it is believed that reuse may be a common practice in U.S. hospitals. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), a management system for the development of voluntary consensus standards, has been involved since September 1986 in developing standards for the reuse of disposable medical devices. ASTM Subcommittee FO4.20 includes representatives from the American Hospital Association, the Food and Drug Administration, United States Pharmacopeia, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, Health Care Financing Administration, American Society for Healthcare Central Service Personnel, APIC, consumer groups, and manufacturers. APIC has been represented by the chairman of the Guidelines Committee, and after the May 20 meeting Marj Underwood will publish a more detailed report for your information.
45A
NESOUNCE LIST FOR STANDARDS AND WIDELINES NELATINO TO INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICE
Members of the Guidelines Committee continue to maintain liaison relationships with more than 50 other professional organizations for the purpose of identifying standards and guidelines that relate to the practice of infection control. A list of these standards and guidelines organized by topic was published in February 1988 (AM J INFECTCONTROL1988;16[1]:38A43A). Addresses for the 50 professional organizations also were listed. 1988 APIC Guidelines Committee Marjorie A. Underwood, Chairman, RN, BSN, CIC Trisha Barrett, RN, BSN, CIC Nancy Bjerke, RN, BSN, MA, MM, CIC Diane Fleming, PhD Emily Rhinehart, RN, CIC Bryan Simmons, MD
support~~tlv~~sa The continued success of APIC depends on strong leadership. VOTE for your favorite candiiates upcoming election. 19tu3Nofl?lneHngeommmsa
in the
Committee
RESEARCH CONSULTATION APIC ‘88
BOOTH,
For the second year the Research Committee Consultation Clinic was well received and used. Fifteen persons took advantage of the opportunity to receive free consultation from an APIC member with research experience. Among those participating were 13 nurses (87%) and two medical technologists (13%) with an average of 7.6 years of experience in infection control. The majority (73%) had not previously been involved in research. Two thirds of advisees sought guidance regarding problem identification and study design, and one third wanted help or suggestions about writing up complete investigations. Topics of interest were respiratory infection, surgical infections, AIDS, handwashing, and infection related to intravenous care. Nine different consultants volunteered their time. It is encouraging to note that persons in the field are seeking involvement in research and recognizing the value of research in effecting practice changes. As a follow-up investigation, we contacted five participants in the 1987 Consultation Clinic. They all thought that the Clinic had been helpful, and we know of at least two studies that have been completed as a result of the Clinic experience. The Research Committee is pleased to offer this useful service to APIC members. The Committee’s activities will expand throughout this next year to include the overseeing and sponsoring of a specific project. We invite suggestions of the members regarding their research needs and interests. 1988 APIC Research Committee Sandra Landry, RN, MS, CIC, Chairman Brian Cooper, MD Helen J. Rosen Kotilainen, MT (ACSP), CLS (NCA), CIC Elaine Larson, RN, PhD, FAAN Frank Rhame, MD Barbara Terry, RN, BSN
44A
APIC QUIDELINES FOR INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICE
APIC guidelines for infection control practice will be developed on topics of greatest concern to infection control practitioners that are not adequately addressed by other organizations. Currently guidelines for four topics are in various stages of development: 1. “Use of Topical Antimicrobial Agents” by Elaine Larson, RN, PhD, FAAN 2. “Selection and Use of Disinfectants” by William A. Rutala, PhD, MPH 4. “Home Health” by Rebecca Scott, RN, Martha Trusler, RN, and Bryan Simmons, MD 4. “Extended Care Facilities,” by Phil Smith, MD, and Patricia Rusnak, RN Each guideline is extensively reviewed by the APIC Guidelines Committee, Board of Directors, committee chairmen, legal counsel, the editor of the AMERICANJOURNALOF INFECTION CONTROL,and experts from other professional organizations. After approval by the Guidelines Committee and the Executive Committee of the Board, the draft guideline is published in the Bulletin section of the JOURNALfor review and comment by the APIC membership. The final guideline is then published in the main section of the JOURNALafter again receiving the approval of the APIC Guidelines Committee, the APIC Board of Directors, and the Board Subcommittee on Conflict of Interest. All APICguidelines will be reviewed biannually and revised as necessary. REUSE/REPR~ESSINQ MEDICAL DEVICES
OF
The safety, legal, and ethical issues surrounding the practice of reprocessing and reusing dis-
Volume
16 Number
August
1988
4
Committee reports
posable medical devices labeled for single use continues to be controversial. Although the extent is not known, it is believed that reuse may be a common practice in U.S. hospitals. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), a management system for the development of voluntary consensus standards, has been involved since September 1986 in developing standards for the reuse of disposable medical devices. ASTM Subcommittee FO4.20 includes representatives from the American Hospital Association, the Food and Drug Administration, United States Pharmacopeia, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, Health Care Financing Administration, American Society for Healthcare Central Service Personnel, APIC, consumer groups, and manufacturers. APIC has been represented by the chairman of the Guidelines Committee, and after the May 20 meeting Marj Underwood will publish a more detailed report for your information.
45A
NESOUNCE LIST FOR STANDARDS AND WIDELINES NELATINO TO INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICE
Members of the Guidelines Committee continue to maintain liaison relationships with more than 50 other professional organizations for the purpose of identifying standards and guidelines that relate to the practice of infection control. A list of these standards and guidelines organized by topic was published in February 1988 (AM J INFECTCONTROL1988;16[1]:38A43A). Addresses for the 50 professional organizations also were listed. 1988 APIC Guidelines Committee Marjorie A. Underwood, Chairman, RN, BSN, CIC Trisha Barrett, RN, BSN, CIC Nancy Bjerke, RN, BSN, MA, MM, CIC Diane Fleming, PhD Emily Rhinehart, RN, CIC Bryan Simmons, MD
support~~tlv~~sa The continued success of APIC depends on strong leadership. VOTE for your favorite candiiates upcoming election. 19tu3Nofl?lneHngeommmsa
in the