Managing Infection Control

Why This Skill Exists

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients on any given day (CDC, 2023). The Joint Commission NPSG.07.01.01 requires compliance with hand hygiene guidelines based on CDC/WHO recommendations. CMS Conditions of Participation (§482.42) mandate an active infection prevention and control program. HAIs — including CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI, VAP, and C. difficile — are among the most preventable causes of patient harm, and CMS no longer reimburses for treatment of certain HAIs classified as Never Events. NDNQI tracks HAI rates as nursing-sensitive quality indicators. State mandatory reporting laws require disclosure of specified HAI data. This skill structures the nursing role in infection prevention: standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, surveillance, and documentation per current CDC/HICPAC guidelines.

Checkpoint A — Intake Verification

Required Patient Information

• Infection status: known active infections, colonization status (e.g., MRSA, VRE, CRE, C. difficile)
• Culture results (pending and finalized)
• Current antimicrobial therapy with start dates and planned duration
• Immunocompromised status (neutropenia, transplant, chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS)
• Vaccination status relevant to exposure (influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis B)
• Travel history or epidemiological risk factors for emerging pathogens
• Surgical history within 30 days (SSI surveillance window)