Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology Department are concerned with the prevention and reduction in rates of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) in patients, visitors, and staff. In line with the organization’s strategies to minimize the risk, and encourage zero harm. This involved multidisciplinary work to accomplish this goal in an efficient and cost-effective manner by a continual assessment and modification of our services based on regulations, accreditation standards, scientific studies, internal evaluations, and guidelines. The services of IC&HE include surveillance, data analysis, reporting, consultation, and education.
Mission:
To practice state-of-the-art infection control principles, to continuously attempt the healthcare-associated infection rates to the lowest possible. And is committed to providing education and training in the hospital and the community.
Goals:
To be the leading center in the region in training and research in the field of infection control.
Core Values:
- Teamwork
- Integrity
- State-of-the-art practice
- Creativity
- Perfection
- Respect
Scope of Service:
The scope of service of the Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology-Jeddah is to contribute to the delivery of the highest quality health care, by promoting safety and reducing the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections among patients, visitors, healthcare workers, and support staff at KFSH&RC facilities, and this is done through:
- Write and periodically review policies that are relevant to the field of prevention and control of infections in the hospital environment.
- Perform education and contribute to educational activities targeting hospital staff on Infection control IPPs.
- Perform surveillance of hospital-acquired infections as per directives of the IC&HE-J medical director and after approval of the IC committee. This is to be done using CDC definitions of healthcare-associated infections.
- Calculate indicators that are informative on risks of transmission of pathogens in the hospital, such as staff PPD/IGRA conversion rates, HCV conversion rates in the renal dialysis unit, sharp exposure rates, etc….
- Develop performance improvement projects based on the surveillance results, and on calculated relevant indicators.
- Report notifiable diseases as required by the Ministry of Health (MOH). This is done in collaboration with the laboratory, and hospital staff.
- Carry periodic environmental surveillance and rounds, review results of relevant environmental cultures, and address any possible infection risk that the hospital environment can pose.
- Investigate and control hospital clusters or outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections & resistant organisms among patients and healthcare workers.
- Conduct new hire orientation on infection control hospital IPPs.
- Ensure compliance with national and international regulations and accrediting agency requirements
- Oversees hospital staff screening, immunizations, and post-exposure prophylaxis activities. This is done in collaboration with Family medicine.
- Oversees patient education on infection control. This is done in collaboration with Nursing affairs and Patients affairs.
- Oversees activities of sterilization, disinfection, and cleaning in the hospital. This is done in collaboration with CSSD and Environmental Services.
- Oversees kitchen environment and functions including kitchen staff hygiene and health. This is done in collaboration with Food Services.
- Provide data and statistical analysis for research and publications.