Integrated Infection Control Strategies: Collaboration across Family Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Dental, Laboratory, Medical Records, and Operation Room Specialties

Abstract

Infection Control in modern times includes the protection of patients against infections with health workers in all settings of healthcare. Evidence-based best practice in family medicine, nursing, dental, laboratory medicine, and surgical specialties is the very foundation of an effective Infection Prevention and Control program. Explicit communication, protocols, education of patients, and vaccination to minimize the chances of infection are also part of this. The nurses are on the first line in the practice of IPC, and microbial labs provide the all-important diagnostic information in infection surveillance. Further training, monitoring for compliance, integrating medical records and technology will reduce health care-associated infections and improve patient outcomes.