Phenelle Segal Contributes Column on 2016 Infection Prevention Areas of Focus to Becker's

Infection Control Consulting Services (ICCS) President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, has written a column on "Infection prevention in 2016: 10 key areas of focus" for Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality.

Segal writes, "2015 was a critical year for infection prevention, with several "pivotal moments" shaking the industry and further emphasizing the need for integration into organizations' quality assurance performance improvement (QAPI) program with tightened processes to ensure patient safety. Looking ahead as we begin 2016 and knowing that many issues that came to the forefront in 2015 will carry forward this year, the following are 10 key areas of focus that should be on the priority list for facilities."

The 10 areas discussed are as follows:

1. Endoscope reprocessing
2. Bronchoscope reprocessing
3. Internal and external review of reprocessing practices
4. ASC infection control surveyor worksheet
5. Written infection prevention risk assessment
6. Healthcare-associated infections reporting
7. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG)
8. Overhaul of nursing home and long-term care rules
9. Hand hygiene
10. MRSA

ICCS provides comprehensive infection prevention services, including development of customized infection prevention programs, risk assessments, corrective plans of action, and infection prevention educational programs; accreditation survey preparation; infection prevention training and much more.

Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality provides guidance and analysis on infection control, quality, patient safety and accreditation issues. Each issue of the bimonthly publication reaches a qualified audience of quality and patient safety leaders, including CMOs, CNOs, directors of nursing and other infection control, quality and patient safety specialists.