The processes outlined in the “Infection Prevention and Control” (IC) chapter are applicable to all infections or potential sources of
infection that may affect individuals served in behavioral health care and human services settings. The standards are designed to
assist organizations both large and small, in all settings, in developing and maintaining an effective approach. It is recognized that
lifestyle and other factors beyond the organization’s control or scope of service will affect infection risk; however, the organization’s
infection control activities apply only to those locations where care, treatment, or services are provided.
These standards address activities of planning, implementation, and evaluation and are based on the following conditions necessary to
establish and carry out effective infection prevention and control practices. Every organization, regardless of its size, setting, or
services, should do the following:
- Recognize that infection prevention and control play an important role in its efforts to improve safety and quality of care for the
individuals served
- Demonstrate leadership’s commitment to infection prevention and control by endorsing and participating in the organization’s efforts
to control infection; provide resources, and encourage improvement
- See that staff collaborates with each other when designing and implementing infection prevention and control activities
- Regularly assess its infection prevention and control activities
- Coordinate its activities with the larger community