APIC/CHICA-Canada infection prevention, control, and epidemiology: Professional and practice standards

APIC State-of-the-art Report: The role of the infection preventionist in emergency management

“…6,8,[11][12][13][32][33][34] In addition to understanding mass casualty incidents and the potential infectious disease impact of such events, IPs need to have a basic understanding of emergency management principles. 6,[11][12][13]35 There are 4 phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. 36 Mitigation involves interventions to either prevent or reduce morbidity and mortality and ease the economic and social impact of the event on the affected community.…”

“…An all-hazards approach to emergency management should be used because all types of mass casualty incidents can result in infectious disease implications and the type of emergency that might occur cannot always be anticipated. 12,13,35 Personal, facility, and community emergency management plans must be assessed, but the approach to each varies.…”

“…[11][12][13]16,29,39 IP input will be vital in developing prioritization plans for therapy, prophylaxis, and vaccination when doses are limited 9,[11][12][13]26,39 ; allocation of PPE when resources are insufficient or unavailable 6,[11][12][13]16,26,29,37,39 ; and safe patient placement when isolation rooms are depleted. 6,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]17,25,35,[37][38][39] A recent development in emergency management is the recognition that IP input is needed in community emergency management planning. Community disaster planners will need infection prevention guidance when setting up and running alternative care sites and shelters for displaced individuals.…”

“…This will involve implementation of infection prevention strategies outlined in facility policies and procedures and the facility emergency management plan, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of these interventions. 10,26,35 In some facilities, IPs may be asked or expected to fulfill a role in the incident command system (ICS). 6,9,[11][12][13] Hospitals and health care systems are required to manage all emergencies using structures and principles in accordance with NIMS, including the implementation of an ICS.…”

“…However, IP input will be vital when developing reporting protocols for all disasters involving an infectious agent, such as bioterrorism or a pandemic. 6,8,9,[11][12][13]19,26,35,[37][38][39] Policies for internal reporting of infectious disease disasters should include, at the least, notification of the Infection Prevention and Control and/or Infectious Disease Department. [11][12][13] Other departments may also need notification, such as Nursing Services, Internal Medicine, Safety, and others.…”