In the complex landscape of healthcare, ensuring patient safety and upholding the highest standards of care are paramount. A critical component in achieving these goals is the effective implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. To aid healthcare facilities in this endeavor, a comprehensive Care Audit Tool has been developed to assess and improve IPC protocols across various healthcare settings, excluding outpatient hemodialysis facilities for which specific resources are available. This tool serves as an invaluable resource for acute care, long-term care, and outpatient facilities aiming for excellence in healthcare delivery.
ICAR Web Application: Streamlining Quality Improvement
To further support healthcare providers in their quality improvement journey, a user-friendly Web Application, known as the ICAR (Infection Control Assessment and Response) Web Application, is accessible at https://icar-app.cdc.gov. This application is designed to assist public health jurisdictions in leveraging the care audit tool for enhanced efficiency and impact in their quality improvement initiatives.
Expert Training for Effective Tool Utilization
Recognizing the importance of proper implementation, the TeleICAR team, a division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, offers specialized training programs for public health jurisdictions. These training sessions are focused on the effective utilization of the ICAR care audit tool and its associated Web Application, ensuring that healthcare professionals are well-equipped to conduct thorough and insightful care audits.
Contact the TeleICAR team for more information on training opportunities.
Comprehensive Instructions for the Care Audit Tool
For detailed guidance on utilizing the care audit tool, refer to the official instructions document:
Download the instruction manual for complete details.
Download the tool document.
Section 1: Facility Demographics – Laying the Foundation
The initial section of this care audit tool focuses on gathering essential facility demographics and critical infrastructure information. This section is designed to be completed by the healthcare facility prior to the actual audit, provided as a separate document for convenience. Pre-collection of this data is crucial as it often requires facilities to access records or consult with various staff members, ultimately saving valuable time during the on-site assessment. The care audit facilitator will then determine if any responses necessitate verbal review or further clarification at the audit’s commencement. If no further explanation is required, the facilitator can efficiently proceed to the subsequent sections, referencing this demographic data as needed throughout the process.
Demographics forms for individual healthcare settings are available for download, ready to be sent to the facility before the care audit assessment:
Section 2: Facilitator Guide – Modules for In-Depth Assessment
Section 2 of the care audit tool comprises a range of assessment modules specifically designed for use by the facilitator. These modules are intended to guide discussions regarding existing policies and practical implementations within the healthcare facility. Covering diverse aspects of infection prevention practices, the questions within these modules are structured to elicit comprehensive information:
- Closed-ended questions requiring concise “yes/no” responses for straightforward assessments.
- Open-ended questions encouraging more detailed, descriptive answers, prompting deeper insights into current practices.
- For open-ended questions, common responses are often provided as examples to aid in data collection. It is important to note that these examples may include responses that are not considered best practice in IPC. The facilitator should always consult the guide for recommended IPC practices.
- Most modules are complemented by corresponding observation components, bridging the gap between policy and practice.
Click on each Module below to access the tool in a fillable PDF document, enabling interactive and efficient data entry.
Section 3: Observation Forms – Verifying Implementation in Practice
Section 3 of this care audit tool is dedicated to observation forms, intended for direct assessment of infection prevention practices in real-world settings. These sections are crucial for evaluating the actual implementation of the policies and practices discussed in previous modules. When utilizing this tool for in-person assessments, facilitators are encouraged to expand observations beyond the scope explicitly outlined, providing a more holistic view of IPC compliance.
Observation sections are also integrated within the relevant modules in Section 2, ensuring a cohesive assessment approach.
Click on each link below to open the observation form in a fillable PDF document, facilitating easy recording and analysis of observational data.
Acronyms & Definitions: Understanding Key Terminology
To ensure clarity and consistency in the application of this care audit tool, it is essential to understand the following acronyms and definitions:
ICAR: Infection Control Assessment and Response Program – the overarching framework for this care audit tool.
IP: Infection Prevention – the core focus of the audit and improvement processes.
Healthcare Personnel IP Competency: Refers to the demonstrated ability of healthcare staff to effectively apply essential knowledge and skills to prevent pathogen transmission during patient care. This is a key outcome measured and improved by the care audit tool.
Healthcare Personnel IP Competency-Based Training: Emphasizes job-specific education, training, and assessment to guarantee that all healthcare personnel possess the necessary IP competency, a crucial element supported by the care audit tool.
Competency Assessment: The process of verifying IP competency through knowledge-based testing and direct observation. In instances where direct observation is not feasible, alternative methods should be employed to confirm healthcare personnel’s essential knowledge and skills, all within the framework of the care audit tool.
Audit: In the context of healthcare, audit refers to the direct observation or monitoring of healthcare personnel’s adherence to job-specific IP measures. This is the fundamental action facilitated by the care audit tool.
Feedback: The provision of a summary of audit findings. This feedback is strategically used to target areas for performance improvement, closing the loop in the quality enhancement cycle initiated by the care audit tool.
