A new paradigm for infection prevention programs: An integrated approach
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: To the Editor — Infection control (now infection prevention) in healthcare settings is a relatively young medical discipline dating back only to the 1970s. Nationwide surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was initiated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1970 via the National Nosocomial Infections Study (NNIS). The scientific foundation for infection prevention was established by the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC) project that demonstrated essential components of effective programs included (1) conducting organized surveillance and control activities and (2) having a trained, effectual infection control physician, (3) having an infection control nurse per 250 beds, and (4) having a system for reporting infection rates to practicing surgeons. The SENIC project also reported the growth in the number of hospitals having an infection prevention nurse (from 6% prior to 1970 to 80% in 1977). However, by 1996 only 47.6% of facilities has a hospital epidemiologist.
DOI: 10.17615/qkfk-hy75
Authors: Hendrickson, Lori, Selimos, Amy, Goldbach, Sherie, Teal, Lisa J., Schultz, Katherine M., Del Monte, Pamela S., Summerlin-Long, Shelly K., Culbreth, Cynthia M., Thompson, Sharon C., Weber, David J., Croyle, Karen, Clark, Christa A., Buchanan, Mark O., Brewer, Brooke E., Schnell, Natalie A., Miller, Pamela B., Sickbert-Bennett, Emily E., DiBiase, Lauren M., Stancill, Lisa
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7130348263