CDC Core Infection Prevention Practices: Key Provider Responsibilities
CDC identifies several fundamental responsibilities for healthcare providers to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ensure safe care delivery across all healthcare settings.
- Perform Hand Hygiene Consistently
- Adhere to Standard Precautions for Every Patient
- Use Transmission-Based Precautions When Indicate
- Follow Safe Injection and Medication Practices
- Maintain Proper Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection
- Educate and Engage Patients and Caregivers
- Stay Current Through Ongoing Training
- Support Antimicrobial Stewardship and Appropriate Care
- Participate in Surveillance and Quality Improvement
What You Can Do
Every provider plays a critical role in preventing infections. Consistent hand hygiene, adherence to Standard Precautions, safe injection practices, environmental cleaning, patient education, and participation in quality improvement activities are essential components of delivering safe, high-quality care and reducing healthcare-associated infections.
Quick Checklist for Providers
☑ Perform hand hygiene every time, every patient.
☑ Use appropriate PPE and Standard Precautions.
☑ Follow safe injection practices.
☑ Clean and disinfect equipment and environments properly.
☑ Recognize and implement transmission-based precautions.
☑ Educate patients and caregivers on infection prevention.
☑ Stay current with infection control training.
☑ Participate in quality improvement and infection surveillance activities.
Source: CDC's Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Safe Healthcare Delivery in All Settings