The Joint Commission’s updated standards, effective July 1, 2024, emphasize the critical need for healthcare facilities to establish robust infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. These updates are rooted in reducing the risks of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and promoting patient safety. A key component of these efforts is a systematic approach to environmental cleaning and disinfection.
Contec’s comprehensive product offerings and training resources directly align with these standards, supporting hospitals and healthcare facilities in meeting and exceeding compliance requirements. Infection prevention expert Robert Garcia has provided invaluable insights into the application of these standards, bridging theoretical guidelines with practical implementation.
Requirement: Hospitals must have a hospital-wide IPC program addressing the surveillance, prevention, and control of HAIs. Infection preventionists are tasked with policy development, staff training, and compliance auditing
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Requirement: Hospitals must implement IPC programs through targeted activities, including maintaining a clean and sanitary environment.
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Requirement: Hospitals must develop protocols for preparedness against high-consequence infectious diseases, such as Candida auris.
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Robert Garcia emphasizes the importance of aligning cleaning products and procedures with recognized standards, such as those from the CDC. For example, Contec’s microfiber cleaning tools are designed to meet the rigorous demands of environmental cleaning in healthcare settings. Their compatibility with EPA-registered disinfectants ensures they can be used safely across a wide range of applications, from routine cleaning to specialized pathogen control.
Additionally, Garcia underscores the value of competency-based training for EVS staff, using Contec’s Skill.Set.Go. program and other resources to demonstrate best practices and maintain compliance.
Contec stands out as a trusted partner for infection prevention and control. Here’s why:
Bob Garcia, President and Senior Infection Preventionist at Enhanced Epidemiology LLC
Bob Garcia is a distinguished infection preventionist and microbiologist with extensive experience in healthcare epidemiology. He currently serves as the President and Senior Infection Preventionist at Enhanced Epidemiology LLC, a company based in Valley Stream, New York.
Throughout his career, Mr. Garcia has held pivotal roles in infection prevention across multiple healthcare facilities. Notably, he has served as an infection preventionist and director at nine hospitals in New York. His expertise was further recognized through his position as a senior instructional support specialist in the Healthcare Epidemiology Department.
Mr. Garcia's contributions to the field are also evident in his scholarly work. He co-authored a study titled "Decreasing Utilization of Indwelling Urinary Catheters Using Creative Strategies," which was published by the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
In addition to his written work, Mr. Garcia has shared his insights through various media. He was featured in a podcast episode titled "Standardising IPC Programs," where he discussed infection prevention and control programs.
Mr. Garcia's extensive experience and dedication to infection prevention have made him a respected figure in the field, contributing significantly to advancements in healthcare epidemiology and infection control practices.