Educational Resources

Educational Resources

Competency Advancement Assistance (CAA) Program

To help infection preventionists better manage the costs associated with obtaining the CIC® credential, APIC offers the Competency Advancement Assistance Program (CAA) to support this critical component of professional development for those who may not be able to afford it.

For more information visit: https://apic.org/Education-and-Events/Certification/caa

 

APIC Professional Practice Standards APIC Professional Practice

Professional standards are authoritative statements that reflect the expectations, values, and priorities of a profession.1 They provide direction and a framework for professional practice and define the scope, role, and minimal level of competency required of an infection preventionist (IP).  Please review APIC standards of practice here: Standards, AJIC 2016 

 

CHAIN - Collaborative HAI Network

The Collaborative Healthcare-Associated Infection Network (CHAIN) develops and helps carry out effective approaches for reducing and preventing healthcare-associated infections in Minnesota.  APIC MN, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Hospital Association, and Stratis Health formed CHAIN in 2011.

The Road Map to a Comprehensive Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Prevention Program provides evidence-based recommendations and standards for Minnesota hospitals to develop comprehensive HAI prevention programs. The road map reflects published literature and guidelines by relevant professional organizations and regulatory agencies, as well as identified best practices.Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) prevention goals are achieved through interventions focused on hand hygiene, transmission precautions, injection practices, antimicrobial stewardship, environmental cleaning and evidence-based clinical bundles. The partnership is focusing on reducing and preventing the following infections:

  • CLABSI: central line associated bloodstream infections
  • CAUTI: catheter associated urinary tract infections
  • CDI, C. diff: clostridium difficile infections
  • SSI: surgical site infectionsThis work aligns with the work of other groups focusing on patient safety, adverse event reporting, transforming care at the bedside, and quality reporting and improvement. The initial focus for prevention is on infections occurring in the hospital setting.