The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), and the Joint Commission (JC) require that health care organizations maintain risk management programs to address infection control. Detail three measures that your health care organization (or any health care organization) could implement, beyond what is currently in practice, to support the delivery of safe health care services and avoid the spread of infection (e.g., placing hand washing devices at all of the public entrances of the health care facility).
To comply with and exceed the infection control standards required by OSHA, CMS, and the Joint Commission, healthcare organizations can implement innovative and proactive measures that go beyond standard practices. Below are three enhanced infection control strategies that can support safer healthcare service delivery and reduce infection transmission:
1. UV-C Light Disinfection Robots in High-Traffic Areas
Description: Deploy ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light disinfection robots in emergency rooms, ICUs, waiting areas, and surgical suites after patient discharge or daily after peak hours. These robots use UV-C light to eliminate pathogens on surfaces and in the air, including multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
Justification:
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UV-C light has been shown to inactivate bacteria, viruses (including SARS-CoV-2), and spores.
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Automation reduces the burden on environmental services staff and ensures consistency in disinfection.
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It complements manual cleaning efforts and enhances safety in areas with high pathogen loads.
2. Wearable Hand Hygiene Compliance Monitors
Description: Equip clinical staff with wearable devices (e.g., RFID-enabled badges or wristbands) that monitor and provide real-time feedback on hand hygiene compliance. These devices interact with hand hygiene stations and generate compliance reports.
Justification:
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Real-time reminders and alerts help correct behavior instantly, promoting adherence.
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Data collected can be used to target education and identify trends or problem areas.
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Enhances accountability and fosters a culture of safety and transparency.
3. AI-Driven Infection Surveillance and Predictive Analytics
Description: Implement artificial intelligence (AI) software integrated with the electronic health record (EHR) to identify early warning signs of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), such as CLABSIs, CAUTIs, and surgical site infections.
Justification:
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AI can detect patterns and anomalies in lab results, vital signs, and clinical documentation before symptoms fully manifest.
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Early detection enables faster intervention and isolation protocols, reducing transmission risks.
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Supports quality improvement initiatives and assists infection control teams with real-time insights.
Conclusion:
While traditional infection control measures such as PPE use and surface cleaning remain essential, incorporating technology-based interventions like UV-C disinfection, wearable compliance monitoring, and predictive analytics can significantly elevate a healthcare organization’s ability to provide safe, infection-free environments. These strategies align with regulatory goals while also setting a higher standard for patient and staff safety.