by Jennifer MacFarquhar, R.N., M.P.H., C.I.C.
Key
accomplishments and activities of the North Carolina Healthcare-Associated
Infections Prevention Program (N.C. HAI Program) in 2012 include the following:
- Transitioned from a voluntary to a mandatory surveillance program for healthcare-associated infections (HAI) effective January 1, 2012.
- The permanent version of the North Carolina Administrative Code rule specifying requirements for reporting of healthcare-associated infections from North Carolina hospitals was adopted by the Commission for Public Health on September 20, 2012 and became effective October 1, 2012.
- Became the third state partner in the One & Only Campaign, a public health campaign led by the CDC and the Safe Injection Practices Coalition that aims to eradicate outbreaks resulting from unsafe injection practices by raising awareness among patients and healthcare providers about safe injection practices.
- Released first public report on healthcare-associated infections on October 1, 2012, as required by the NC Administrative Code.
- Participated or consulted in responses to more than 75 outbreaks in healthcare settings.
