A Collaborative APIC/SHEA Infection Control and Prevention/Healthcare Epidemiology Network: Taking a “Pulse” on Important Healthcare Issues

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recent public health (PH) events have illustrated the need for real-time communication between infection control (IC)/healthcare epidemiology (HE) professionals and the PH system. Thus we aimed to develop a collaborative network of IC/HE professionals that could quickly access infection control and prevention (IC&P) needs and provide an opportunity for communication between APIC and SHEA members/leadership and national PH system. METHODS: A cooperative agreement between APIC, SHEA and the CDC was developed to address timely IC&P/HE issues. Membership lists were used to identify potential participants; questionnaires were used to solicit interest and assess resource needs. Initial activities during the influenza vaccine shortage of 2004 illustrated difficulties in involving large numbers of randomly selected representative participants. SHEA/APIC members were surveyed again (9/05 -12/05) to determine their interest and views on issues. Conference calls with hurricane affected facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi, including the five open hospitals within New Orleans were set up shortly after the hurricane to assess resources, needs and IC problems. RESULTS: Results from 2005 show that 1303 members (117 SHEA, 1227 APIC, 65 members of both) expressed a willingness to participate in ongoing activities/communication; included (may be ≥1): 89 MD/DO/MBBS, 982 RN/BSN, 249 MPH/MS/MSc, 655 certified in IC and 87 certified in infectious diseases. Willing participants were from all 50 states, Washington DC, US territories (n = 1284) and 5 foreign countries, (n = 19) and at least 1150 facilities. Almost half (47%)of participants have >10 years experience in IC/HE. Contact information for participants was gathered including e-mail address (98%) and fax (94%). ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES HAVE INCLUDED: response to Hurricane Katrina and survey of Avian Influenza/Pandemic Influenza planning/stockpiling of antivirals. Preliminary results from 1224 members (102 SHEA, 1122 APIC): 7% indicated their facility had stockpiled oseltamivir/zanimivir or other antivirals agents; 18% were planning on or discussing such stockpiling. CONCLUSIONS: The network is taking a “pulse” on current opinions/status on timely topics, and providing the infrastructure to quickly disseminate important information and resources. Such networks are critical to help IC/HE professionals respond to PH events.