Abstract
Background: The guideline for staffing infection control programs of 1 infection control professional
(ICP) for every 250 occupied acute care beds has been used in many health care facilities
in the United States since 1985. Since that time, the health care system, patient
populations, and expectations about the work of infection prevention and control programs
have changed substantially. Methods: The Delphi method was used; data were obtained from a group of ICPs through a series
of 10 surveys. Through this iterative process, participant responses were progressively
synthesized and areas of agreement and disagreement identified. These surveys were
conducted by electronic and paper mail to identify the personal ICP characteristics
and structural variables associated with performance of activities required for contemporary
infection prevention and control programs in a variety of health care settings. Results: Delphi panel members (n = 32) from 20 states and who represented acute care, long-term
care, and community care settings reported tasks in addition to those identified in
earlier task analyses as well as expanded responsibilities. Competing responsibilities
and lack of adequate resources were the most frequently cited reasons for nonperformance
of essential infection control tasks. A ratio of 0.8 to 1.0 ICP for every 100 occupied
acute care beds was suggested as adequate staffing by the Delphi panel. Conclusions: Infection control responsibilities have expanded beyond the traditional acute care
setting. Recommendations for staffing must not only consider the number of occupied
beds (average daily census) but also include the scope of the program, the complexity
of the health care facility or system, the characteristics of the patient population,
and the unique or urgent needs of the facility and community. (Am J Infect Control
2002;30:321-33.)
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Footnotes
*Supported by a grant from the Research Foundation for Prevention of Complications Associated with Health Care and by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
**Reprint requests: Carol O'Boyle, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 6-101 WDH, 308 Harvard St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
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© 2002 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
