Agenda of the meetings

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control Ministry of Health Malaysia 4 2. Emergency meetings are arranged for the control of outbreaks of infection and when the infection Control Team requires additional support and notification of the problem in accordance with the major outbreak policy. 3. The Chairman will chair all emergency meetings, and is in charge of the technical aspect of outbreak control measures.

1.10 Administrative arrangements

1. The Infection Control Team, is responsible for the day-to-day infection control activities of the hospital and reports directly to the Chairman of the HIACC 2. The HIACC draws up policies on all aspects of prevention and control of infections for the hospital. 3. These policies must receive the support of the hospital’s management. 4. In the absence of separate activity budget code for infection control, the budget for the costs of infection control is part of the Medical Microbiology budget and for the unpredictable and ad-hoc activities such as large outbreaks or hospital wide campaigns, it will be borne by the hospital’s operational budget.

1.11 The Infection Control Nurse ICN

1. The Infection Control Nurses is a full-time member of the Hospital’s Infection Control Team, which is headed by the Infection Control Doctor. 2. The ICN is responsible to the ICD but is professionally accountable to the Director via the appropriate Nursing Director within the nursing hierarchy. 3. The primary duties of the nurse are to assist the Infection Control Doctor with the prevention and control of infection in hospital. 4. This is achieved through the implementation of infection control policies and procedure, and by educating hospital and non-hospital personnel. 5. The number of ICN should conform to the Ministry’s norm of 1 ICN:110 beds.

1.12 Duties and responsibilities of the infection Control Nurse

The Infection Control Nurse must: Clinical 1. Liaise closely with the hospital medical microbiologist and clinicians. 2. Supervise and advise on isolation technique policies and procedures generally and in specific clinical situations. 3. Provide clinical advice and support to nurses, midwives, health visitors and other non-clinical personnel on infection control issues. 4. Analyze and provide feedback on microbiology reports to head of department. Policies and Procedures on Infection Control Ministry of Health Malaysia 5 5. Provide clinical advice and support to other health care professionals, ancillary staff and external agencies concerned with social issues arising from infection control matters. 6. Provide guidance and support to the ward link infection control nurses. Surveillance 1. Coordinate surveillance activities for the hospital. 2. Collect relevant information on behalf of the Infection Control Team including point prevalence studies on healthcare-associated infections, clinical antibiotic audits, hand hygiene compliance etc CoordinationOrganization of Infection Control Activities 1. Identify potential infection hazards and suggest appropriate remedial action to relevant personnel. 2. Work with the hospital Infection Control Team to identify, investigate and control outbreaks of infection. 3. Collaborate with the infection Control Team and clinicians about the routine monitoring of units, such as the intensive care and special care baby units, particularly vulnerable to infection. Administrative 1. Participate in the development and implementation of the infection control policies. 2. Monitor compliance with infection control policies, including activities directly associated with audit. 3. Preparing timely reports. 4. Advise staff on the various aspects of infection control and occupational health safety. Education The Infection Control Nurse will: 1. Participate in informal and formal teaching programmes for all healthcare workers. 2. Keep abreast with recent advances by reading relevant literature and attending appropriate courses, meetings and exhibitions. 3. Advice staff with regards to the microbiologic hazards in occupational health safety. 4. Participate and coordinate infection control-related educational campaigns as instructed by the HIACC. Research and Quality Improvement Activities 1. Participate with the microbiologists and appropriate clinical staff on research projects that is related to hospital infection.