APIC Survey Finds U.S. Healthcare Facilities are More Prepared to Confront Ebola Compared to Last Year

11/10/15 By Dana Szymkowiak

Nine in 10 infection control leaders (92 percent) believe their facilities are better prepared today than a year ago to receive a patient with a highly lethal infectious disease like Ebola.

But more than half (55 percent) say their facilities have not provided additional resources to support their infection prevention and control programs as a result of the Ebola crisis, according to a new survey by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

Half of respondents (53 percent) reported that there is fewer than one or just one full-time infection preventionist at their organization. Of these, 45 percent work in facilities with more than 100 beds.

“We are encouraged to learn that our members feel their facilities are more prepared to handle patients with highly lethal infectious diseases, and to know that some infection prevention and control departments have obtained additional staff and resources,” said Susan Dolan, president-elect of APIC.

“We urge healthcare leaders to assess the needs of their infection prevention programs and dedicate the necessary staff, training, and technology resources to this critical area.”

To learn more visit the APIC website for further detail.