Here are 16 updated standards:
1. Written infection prevention policies should be developed and incorporated into practice. They should be reviewed every two years.
2. Educational programs need to implemented and evaluated regularly.
3. Staff should be immunized for influenza and should show documentation of past immunizations for vaccine-preventable infections.
4. Healthcare personnel should use alcohol-based hand rub or hand washing with soap and water before and after patient contact.
5. Standard precautions are applicable to every interaction.
6. Employees should practice cough etiquette in front of all patients.
7. Potentially contagious patients should be triaged, and contact between contagious and uninfected children should be minimized.
8. Alcohol is preferred for skin antisepsis before immunization and venipuncture.
9. Be aware of OSHA requirements.
10. Safe needle disposal kits should be made available, but kept out of reach of pediatric patients. They should only be kept 66 percent filled.
11. Ambulatory settings should develop a blood-borne pathogens exposure control plan. It should include written policies on the management of contaminated objects.
12. Follow standard sterilization, disinfection and antisepsis guidelines.
13. Develop local and state health authority communication policies.
14. Develop communication policies around notifying other facilities when referring potentially contagious patients.
15. Develop communication policies with patients and family in the event of infectious disease outbreaks.
16. Antimicrobial agents should be used appropriately. Follow standard precaution to limit the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
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