Hospital infection control committee

1. The Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of
patients, healthcare workers, and visitors by preventing and managing infections within
healthcare facilities.
HICC CORE COMMITTEE
The composition of a Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) can vary depending on the
size and type of the healthcare facility and the specific needs of the institution. However, a
typical HICC may include the following key members:
Infection Control Practitioner (ICP): This individual is usually a registered nurse or other
healthcare professional with specialized training in infection control. The ICP often serves as the
chair or coordinator of the committee and is responsible for day-to-day infection control
activities.
Infectious Disease Physician: A specialist in infectious diseases provides medical expertise and
guidance on managing infectious outbreaks and complex cases.
Microbiologist or Clinical Laboratory Representative: A microbiologist or lab expert contributes
knowledge about laboratory procedures, testing, and interpreting culture results.
Hospital Epidemiologist: Some larger healthcare facilities have a dedicated hospital
epidemiologist who is responsible for overseeing infection control efforts and research.
Nursing Representative: A nurse from a relevant department, such as critical care or surgery,
brings frontline experience and perspectives to the committee.
Pharmacist: A pharmacist with expertise in antimicrobial medications may be part of the
committee, particularly for issues related to antibiotic stewardship.
Environmental Services Representative: This individual can provide insights into cleaning and
disinfection practices within the hospital.
Quality Improvement Specialist: Someone with experience in quality improvement
methodologies helps ensure that infection control practices align with hospital quality
improvement goals.
Administrative Representative: A hospital administrator or manager may participate to allocate
resources, support policy implementation, and ensure alignment with the hospital's overall
mission.

2. Patient Safety Officer: This role focuses on patient safety and can collaborate with the committee
to address infection-related issues from a safety perspective.
Nurse Educator: Responsible for educating and training healthcare staff on infection control
practices.
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator: In facilities with a strong emphasis on preparedness, this
role ensures the hospital is ready to respond to infectious disease emergencies.
Public Health Representative: Collaboration with local or state public health agencies may be
necessary for reporting and managing communicable diseases.
Quality Assurance Officer: This role may overlap with the quality improvement specialist,
focusing on maintaining and improving infection control processes.
Additional Experts: Depending on specific needs, the committee may invite other specialists or
consultants, such as epidemiologists, respiratory therapists, or occupational health experts.
It's important to note that the composition of the HICC can be flexible, and the committee may
convene additional members or experts as needed to address specific infection control challenges
or situations. The key is to have a multidisciplinary team with the expertise and authority to
address all aspects of infection control within the hospital.
Functions of HICC
Policy Development: HICC is responsible for developing and implementing infection control
policies and procedures to prevent the spread of infections within the hospital.
Education and Training: They provide education and training to healthcare staff on infection
control practices, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and proper
disinfection techniques.
Surveillance: HICC monitors and collects data on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) within
the hospital. They analyze trends and patterns to identify potential outbreaks and areas for
improvement.
Outbreak Management: When outbreaks occur, the committee leads efforts to investigate the
source, implement control measures, and communicate with relevant stakeholders.
Infection Prevention Programs: They establish and oversee infection prevention programs, such
as vaccination campaigns, antimicrobial stewardship, and environmental cleaning protocols.
Compliance Monitoring: HICC ensures that healthcare workers adhere to infection control
protocols and conducts audits and assessments to assess compliance.

3. Resource Allocation: They allocate resources, such as funding for infection control equipment
and supplies, to support effective prevention efforts.
Collaboration: The committee collaborates with other hospital departments and external agencies
to coordinate infection control efforts and share information on emerging infectious diseases.
Patient Safety: Ensuring patient safety is a primary responsibility, including implementing
isolation precautions when necessary and providing information to patients and their families
about infection prevention measures.
Quality Improvement: They continuously assess and improve infection control practices based
on evidence-based guidelines and best practices.
Research and Innovation: HICC may engage in research to develop and evaluate new infection
control strategies and technologies.
Communication: They communicate infection control information to all relevant stakeholders,
including healthcare workers, patients, and the public.
Emergency Preparedness: HICC plans for infectious disease emergencies, such as pandemics or
bioterrorism events, to ensure the hospital's readiness and response capabilities.
Documentation: Proper documentation of infection control activities, including surveillance data
and policy updates, is essential for accountability and compliance with regulations.
Regulatory Compliance: They ensure compliance with local, state, and national infection control
regulations and guidelines.
In summary, the Hospital Infection Control Committee plays a vital role in safeguarding public
health within healthcare settings by developing and implementing infection control measures,
educating healthcare workers, monitoring and responding to infections, and continuously
improving practices to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.