HAI Resources

HAIs are currently one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. Health care professionals have an important role in HAI prevention.

Tools for Long-term Care Facilities

• Clostridium difficile Toolkit for Long-term Care Facilities
  This toolkit for C. diff infection (CDI) prevention and management in long-term care facilities provides resources in six topic areas: prepare, detect, contain, clean, prevent, and educate.

Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines

• Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines
  General infection prevention guidelines, recommendations, and laws related to infection prevention.

MDH HAI Collaborative Roadmaps and Toolkits

• Safe CUTS (SSI) Toolkit/Roadmap
  This document provides evidence-based recommendations and standards for MN hospitals to develop SSI prevention programs. Written with elective, in-patient surgery in mind, it can also be adapted for use in other settings such as ambulatory or emergency surgery.
• Safe from Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) Toolkit/Roadmap
  This two-tiered intervention approach (core and enhanced) includes four topic areas: early recognition of patients with CDI, isolation precautions, environmental cleaning and disinfection, and antimicrobial stewardship.

Resources

• Minnesota Initiatives and Tools for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (PDF)
  Summary description of available resources specific to Minnesota.
• IDSA Practice Guidelines
  Guidance developed and/or endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) to assist practitioners and patients in making decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances.
• Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)
  Guidance developed and/or endorsed by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) to prevent and control HAIs and a downloadable version of the “Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals”.
• Infection Prevention and Control
  MDH website for infection prevention and control resources including guidelines, hand hygiene, precautions, and personal protective equipment.
• CDC: Inter-facility Infection Control Transfer Form (PDF)
  Example Inter-facility Infection Control Transfer Form to assist in communication during transitions of care.
• CDC: Healthcare-Associated Infections
  Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on all types of HAIs including continuing education, protecting health care workers, and infection control.
• National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
  The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) is a secure, internet-based surveillance system managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NHSN is open to a variety of health care facilities in the United States.
• IHI: Healthcare-Associated Infections
  The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is an independent not-for-profit organization developed to improve health care. IHI provides information on strategies to reduce HAIs.
• CDC: State-based HAI Prevention
  Resources and toolkits for state partners in HAI prevention.
• Stratis Health
  This organization provides information on quality improvement, patient safety and offers quality improvement technical assistance, measurement, and evaluation services.
• Minnesota Hospital Association
  Established in 1917, the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) is a trade association representing Minnesota's hospitals and health systems. Provides resources for hospitals, health systems and providers across the state of Minnesota.
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
  APIC’s mission is to improve health and patient safety by reducing risks of infection and other adverse outcomes. This national organization with local branches provides resources and educational services for infection preventionst in all settings.
  • APIC Implementation Guides
    APIC Implementation Guides provide practical, evidence-based best practices for the elimination of specific infections. Each guide is designed for easy implementation and provides program interventions, surveillance methodology, and strategies for process improvement.
• Health & Human Services: Health Care-Associated Infections
  Information on HAIs and resources for patients and providers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.