By Dan Hounsell

The role of infection control in protecting the health of hospital staff and patients was an issue long before the COVID-19 pandemic, but lessons from previous research might help managers control future pathogenic outbreaks. 

The effectiveness of effective infection prevention and control programs on hospital units depends on the oversight of an engaged management team. While the data gathering by investigators with Ohio State University occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic, the lessons learned about better control of health care-acquired infections (HAIs) can be applied to other pathogenic outbreaks, according to Infection Control Today.

“As clinical practices continue to evolve during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals should not lose sight of the importance of management practices in the context of infection prevention,” the study states “Adapting these management strategies for leaders to accommodate the restrictions of hospital environments during the COVID-19 pandemic can ensure that focus on HAI prevention is maintained.”