Infection preventionists at BJC HealthCare in St. Louis created a framework to help IPs better determine whether a given issue falls within their role and responsibilities or should be referred to another department.
The framework is based on these three questions:
- Does it present a real/perceived infection risk to patients? If the answer is “no,” refer the issue to another department. If the answer is “yes,” ask this question:
- Does it fall into your IP plan or roles and responsibilities? If the answer is “no,” refer out. If the answer is “yes,” ask this question:
- Are control measures within your scope? If the answer is “no,” consult on the issue. If the answer is “yes,” investigate and manage the issue.
