Understanding The Joint Commission Standards for High-Consequence Infectious Diseases

CE: 1 / IPU: 1

Thursday, November 21, 2024 @ 1 pm ET

Speakers: Alyssa Diehl, DHSc, MPH, CIC, LTC-CIP, Bassel Molaeb, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, Feah Alutra-Visan, MN, MAN, PGDip IC, CQIA, CIC, FAPIC, and Kia Parker, MACPR, CRCST, CER, CHL, a-IPC, CIC

High-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) or special pathogens are novel and reemerging infectious diseases or pathogens that are highly transmissible from person to person (or have an unknown mode of transmission) and have the potential for epidemic or pandemic with high morbidity and mortality. Examples of HCIDs or special pathogens include Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), COVID-19, measles, mpox, smallpox, novel or new mutation of influenza, and Ebola or other viral hemorrhagic fever diseases. As per the Joint Commission (TJC) standards, healthcare institutions must have protocols for HCIDs that are readily available for use including procedures for screening at the points of entry, patient isolation procedures, reporting mechanisms, infection prevention measures, healthcare workers’ safety and education, cleaning and disinfection procedures, and waste management protocols.

This webinar that is brought to you by members of the APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Task Force will discuss the key points below:

1. Defining the HCIDs

2. Providing an overview of TJC Standards related to HCIDs

3. Defining the points of entry

4. Deliberating on the expectations regarding the screening protocols at the points of entry

5. Tackling the expectations regarding healthcare workers’ competencies and early recognition

6. Addressing the best infection prevention practices

7. Highlighting the surveillance and reporting mechanisms

8. Q & A

Continuing Education (CE) Credit:

In support of improving patient care, The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (APIC) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Nursing:

• APIC designates this activity for 1 Nursing Contact Hours

Physicians:

• APIC designates this live course activity for a maximum of 1 PRA Category 1 Credits™
• Physicians should claim only the credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

IPUs

• APIC designates this activity for 1 infection prevention unit(s).
• For more information, please see https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Recertify/Recertification-by-Continuing-Education.htm