As technology continues to develop , the field of IP & C must also evolve and adapt . The potential role of Artificial Intelligence
( AI ) within the practice of IP & C has yet to be determined , but the reliability of this new technology and associated risks must be well understood .”
COVID-19 pandemic , there was a renewed interest in understanding the risk associated with aerosol-generating procedures ( AGPs ) and the overall risk of transmission from a patient with a known or suspected respiratory infection . The available evidence relating to which medical procedures are aerosol-generating and associated with an increased risk of respiratory transmission needs further research to prompt optimal safety practices for patients and healthcare workers . Significant additional gaps exist regarding the nature of aerobiology in respiratory disease transmission .”
The APIC report points to gaps related to aerosol-generating procedures ( AGPs ), including :
• Understanding the nature of AGPs and associated infection risk
• Reducing the risk of disease transmission due to AGPs
• Air handling and movement
Antimicrobial Resistance
As the APIC report explains , “ Antimicrobial resistance is a multi-faceted issue within healthcare settings , resulting in significant patient morbidity and mortality . Additional research is needed to fully define best practice regarding multidrug-resistant organism ( MDRO ) testing and mitigation strategies in patients with known or suspected MDROs . In addition , understanding both the drivers of non-compliance with best practice in lab testing and prescribing , as well as the impacts will provide additional insights into effective prevention strategies .”
The APIC report points to gaps related to :
• Diagnostic stewardship
• Multidrug-resistant organisms ( MDROs )
• Prescribing practices and patterns
Data and Informatics
As the APIC report explains , “ As technology continues to develop , the field of IP & C must also evolve and adapt . The potential role of Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) within the practice of IP & C has yet to be determined , but the reliability of this new technology and associated risks must be well understood . In addition , new knowledge gaps have arisen due to the increasing complexity and sophistication of electronic medical records ( EMRs ) and associated surveillance software programs . Research will be critical to determine how these robust systems can best be leveraged to assist in IP & C work , particularly regarding early identification of patient risk factors for infection , early identification of clusters and outbreaks , and to reduce the burden of surveillance among IP & C professionals .”
The APIC report points to gaps related to :
• Artificial intelligence
• Electronic medical records
• Surveillance
Device-Associated Infections
As the APIC report explains , “ Preventing device-associated infections has historically been a targeted focus area of the IP & C field , with many device-associated infections ( DAIs ) falling under required state and federal reporting programs . However , as products , technologies , pathogens , and surveillance definitions evolve , new knowledge gaps arise , and new questions are created . Continuous monitoring , learning , and innovation are necessary to mitigate DAI risks .”
The APIC report points to gaps related to :
• Understanding catheter-associated urinary tract infections ( CAUTI )
• Understanding vascular access device-associated bloodstream infections ( VAD-BSI )
• Understanding Ventilator-Associated Events ( VAE )
Emergency Management and Response
As the APIC report explains , “ Emergencies occurring within healthcare systems can be widely variable in nature , including natural disasters , bioterrorism , outbreaks and pandemics , supply chain deficiencies , and any other event that might significantly disrupt operations . Effective emergency management and response are crucial for IP & C as they ensure rapid containment and mitigation of infectious threats , protecting public health and safety . Addressing gaps in emergency management and response is essential to enhance resilience and efficacy , especially regarding refining emergency response protocols and improving strategies for handling product disruptions .”
The APIC report points to gaps related to :
• Emergency response protocols
• Responding to product disruptions
Environmental and Equipment Cleaning and Disinfection
As the APIC report explains , “ Environmental and equipment cleaning and disinfection are foundational to the prevention of infectious disease in healthcare settings . The terminology “ environmental cleaning and disinfection ” is used in the broadest sense in this category and includes all areas within the healthcare setting , with the greatest focus being on patient rooms and frequently touched surfaces . The term ‘ equipment ’ here is also used very broadly and refers to various types of equipment that might contact surfaces in care areas or a patient ’ s intact skin directly ( non-critical items ). Although this topic has been studied for decades , new technologies continue to arise . Gaps remain regarding the impact of processes to healthcare-associated outcomes as well as best methods to account for and optimize compliance with those processes .”
The APIC report points to gaps related to :
• Environmental cleaning and disinfection
• Understanding disinfectants
• Impacts of room cleaning and disinfection to HAI
• Understanding monitoring processes
• No-touch surface disinfectants / whole room solutions
• Equipment cleaning and disinfection
• Understanding roles in equipment cleaning
• Impact of equipment cleaning and disinfection to HAI
• Disinfecting high-touch items
Instrument Cleaning , Disinfection , and Sterilization
As the APIC report explains , “ Disinfection and sterilization are critical in reducing the spread of HAI
22 • www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • october 2024