The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a valuable resource for healthcare facilities aiming to bolster their infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. The CDC Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) tool for acute care hospitals is designed to assist in evaluating and improving these critical protocols across various healthcare settings, including acute care, long-term care, and outpatient facilities. While currently not tailored for outpatient hemodialysis centers (for which specific resources are available), this comprehensive tool offers a modular approach to assessment, adaptable to time constraints, facility-specific concerns, or particular organisms of interest.
To further support public health initiatives, the ICAR Web Application (https://icar-app.cdc.gov) is available to aid public health jurisdictions in their quality improvement efforts using ICAR. This web-based platform enhances accessibility and streamlines data management for more effective IPC program implementation.
For those seeking guidance on utilizing the ICAR tool and its Web Application, the CDC’s TeleICAR team within the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion offers specialized training for public health jurisdictions. This training ensures that users can effectively leverage the tool’s capabilities to maximize their impact on infection control.
Contact the TeleICAR team for more information on available training programs and how to access them.
The ICAR tool is structured into distinct sections to facilitate a thorough and organized assessment process. Section 1 focuses on Demographics, collecting essential facility information and critical infrastructure details. This section is designed to be completed by the facility prior to the assessment, allowing for efficient use of time during the actual ICAR process. Pre-collection of this data ensures that assessors can focus on practice and policy review during on-site visits or discussions.
Section 2, the Facilitator Guide Assessment Modules, encompasses a range of modules designed for policy and practice discussions with facility staff. These modules cover diverse aspects of infection prevention practices and employ a question format that includes both closed-ended (yes/no) and open-ended questions. The open-ended questions are designed to elicit detailed responses, with common answers provided as prompts to aid data collection. It is important to note that these listed responses may not always represent recommended IPC practices, and facilitators should consult the guide for best practice standards. Many modules also incorporate corresponding observation components to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Section 3 provides Observation Forms intended for direct observation of infection prevention practices in action. This section is crucial for assessing the real-world implementation of discussed policies and procedures. For in-person assessments, facilitators are encouraged to expand observations beyond the forms provided to gain a more comprehensive understanding of IPC practice within the facility. Observation sections are also conveniently integrated within the respective modules in Section 2, providing a cohesive assessment structure.
To ensure clarity and understanding, the ICAR tool includes a section on Acronyms & Definitions, defining key terms such as ICAR (Infection Control Assessment and Response Program), IP (Infection Prevention), and outlining important concepts like Healthcare Personnel IP Competency, Competency-Based Training, Competency Assessment, Audit, and Feedback. These definitions provide a common language and understanding for all users of the tool, promoting effective communication and assessment.
By utilizing the Cdc Infection Control Assessment Tool For Acute Care Hospitals, healthcare facilities can systematically evaluate their IPC practices, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately enhance patient safety and quality of care. This tool serves as a vital resource in the ongoing effort to combat healthcare-associated infections and promote a safer healthcare environment.
