2. HICC
An Infection Control Committee provides a forum for multidisciplinary input and cooperation, and information sharing
This committee should include wide representation from relevant programmes: e.g. management, physicians, other health care workers, clinical microbiology, pharmacy, central supply, maintenance, housekeeping, training services
The committee must have a reporting relationship directly to either administration or the medical staff to promote programme visibility and effectiveness. In an emergency (such as an outbreak), this committee must be able to meet promptly.

3. FUNCTIONS OF HICC
To review and approve a yearly programme of activity for surveillance and
infection prevention.
To review epidemiological surveillance data and identify areas for intervention.
To assess and promote improved practice at all levels of the health facility
To ensure appropriate staff training in infection control and safety
To review and provide input into investigation of epidemics
To communicate and cooperate with other committees of the hospital with
common interests such as Pharmacy and Therapeutics or Antimicrobial
use committee, and Blood Transfusion Committee etc.

4. COMPOSITION OF HICC Infection control committee chairman
INFECTION CONTROL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Infection control committee chairman
Microbiologist/Physician
Infection control co-ordinator
Physician/Paediatrician
Infection control surveillant- Nurse
OTHER MEMBERS OF ICC
Administrator-Director of Professional Services
Head of Medicine
Head of Surgery
Director of nursing
Consultant intensivist
Accident and Emergency manager
Sr. nursing manager
Head nurse-ICU
Head nurse-O.T.
Head of pharmacy.
House-Keeping Manager
C.S.S.D Manager

5. COMPOSITION OF HICC Co-opted Members Head of engineering department
Head of laundry department
Head Of Food Supply Department
Representative of purchase department
Staff development officer
Invitees
These are additional members from the institution who are invited for a particular meeting only when there would be a discussion pertaining to their field of expertise or any issue that is to be discussed and a policy is to be derived.

6. ROLES OF INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

7. Infection Control Chairperson
Is an expert in the field of infection control and is always available to advice on all the aspects of infection-control.
Liaises between the infection control committee members and the hospital administration.
Receives all the surveillance reports and information pertaining to hospital-acquired infection, and initiates necessary action based on the reports.
Initiates research activities and surveillance programmes in the institution.
Keep oneself abreast with the recent developments in the field.
Educates and provides feedback to the clinicians using surveillance and antibiogram data.
Conducts monthly meetings of the infection control committee

8. Infection Control Co-ordinator (Doctor)
Takes hospital visits periodically to ensure all the infection control practices are being practiced.
Co-ordinates with the chairperson in planning infection control programmes and measures.
Keeps a track of any developing outbreaks
Participates and guides in research activities.
Management of proper isolation techniques
Ensures provision of handwashing or alcohol based hand-cleansing solutions.
Develops standards for management of proper insertion of and maintenance of all medical devices.

9. Infection Control Surveillant –Nurse
Works as a clinical supervisor by ensuring all the established policies and protocols are practiced e.g. hand washing procedures, use of hand rub, isolation policies, care of vascular access and urinary catheters, universal precautions, terminal cleaning / disinfection and follow up of needle-stick injuries
Works as an investigator along with the infection control committee to track down outbreaks, evaluates equipments to detect risks leading to infection hazards.
Works as an educator by participating in formal and in informal teaching programmes for nurses and other healthcare workers. Attends appropriate courses and workshops
Works as a researcher in co-ordination with the other members of the committee

10. Infection Control Surveillant –Nurse
Ensures adequate isolation precautions based on the reports of microbiology especially about nosocomial strains eg MRSA, ESBL etc.
Performs Surgical site infection surveillance for clean and selected clean contaminated cases.
Spot surveillance once a month to asses the peripheral lines, urinary catheters, CVC, waste disposal.
In open cases of TB, informs the nurse on the floor for immediate discharge or transfer the patient to isolation room (negative pressure).

11. Role of hospital management
The administration and/or medical management of the hospital must provide leadership by supporting the hospital infection programme. They are responsible for:
Establishing a multidisciplinary Infection Control Committee identifying appropriate resources for a programme
To monitor infections and apply the most appropriate methods for preventing infection
Ensuring education and training of all staff through support of programmes on the prevention of infection in disinfection and sterilization techniques
Delegating technical aspects of hospital hygiene
to appropriate staff, such as:
— nursing
— housekeeping
— maintenance
— clinical microbiology laboratory
Periodically reviewing the status of nosocomial infections and effectiveness of interventions to contain them
Reviewing, approving, and implementing policies approved by the Infection Control Committee ensuring the infection control team has authority
To facilitate appropriate programme function participating in outbreak investigation

12. Role of the physician
Physicians have unique responsibilities for the prevention and control of hospital infections:
By providing direct patient care using practices which minimize infection
By following appropriate practice of hygiene (e.g. hand washing, isolation)
Serving on the Infection Control Committee
Supporting the infection control team.
Protecting their own patients from other infected patients and from hospital staff who may be infected
Complying with the practices approved by the Infection Control Committee
Obtaining appropriate microbiological specimens when an infection is present or suspected
Notifying cases of hospital-acquired infection to the team, as well as the admission of infected patients
Complying with the recommendations of the Antimicrobial committee.
Advising patients, visitors and staff on techniques to prevent the transmission of infection
Instituting appropriate treatment for any infections they themselves have, and taking steps to prevent such infections being transmitted to other individuals, especially patients.

13. Role of the Microbiologist
Handling patient and staff specimens to maximize the likelihood of a microbiological diagnosis
Developing guidelines for appropriate collection, transport, and handling of specimens
Ensuring laboratory practices meet appropriate standards
Ensuring safe laboratory practice to prevent infections in staff
Performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing following internationally recognized methods, and providing summary reports of prevalence of resistance
Monitoring sterilization, disinfection and the environment where necessary
Timely communication of results to the Infection Control Committee or the hygiene officer
Epidemiological typing of hospital microorganisms where necessary.

14. Infection control professionals (infection control team)
The infection control team or individual is responsible for the day-to-day functions of infection control, as well as preparing the yearly work plan for review by the infection control committee and administration
These individuals have a scientific and technical support role: e.g. surveillance and research, developing and assessing policies and practical supervision, evaluation of material and products, control of sterilization and disinfection, implementation of training programmes
They should also support and participate in research and assessment programmes at the national and international levels.