Infection prevention and control strategy

In 2008, the ten-year Alberta Infection Prevention and Control Strategy and the Alberta Hand Hygiene Strategy were released (collectively, the Strategies) along with four Standards.1 The Strategies, developed by leading infection control experts, outlined objectives and proposed actions to improve IPC and hand hygiene across Alberta’s health system and in Alberta communities. [...] It was concluded that the best option would be to refresh the Strategies as the vision, goals and many of the current objectives and actions are still relevant and important, but that new actions could be added to reflect current IPC needs and to build on the accomplishments from 2008 until now (see Appendix 1 for a list of key IPC accomplishments). [...] Objectives Strengthen the accountability for IPC among Alberta Health, AHS, and Health Professional Regulatory Colleges; and Establish mechanisms for monitoring compliance to IPC standards and policies to improve IPC practices and outcomes. [...] Alberta Health 1.1 Develop a process to monitor and report on the implementation progress of all partners of the IPC Strategy and to publicly report progress; 1.2 Collaborate across ministries to increase public awareness and support for IPC practices for non-health sectors; 1.3 Review and revise the current four provincial IPC Standards at minimum every five years; 1.4 Develop new provincial IPC [...] Alberta Health Services 1.7 Internally and publicly report on key IPC outcomes and activities; 1.8 Develop, implement, maintain and evaluate effective and comprehensive IPC programs and services across the province; 1.9 Develop IPC guidelines and policies to address health system clinical and operational needs; 1.10 Internally evaluate compliance with established provincial IPC standards and polic