Infection Prevention and Control

Policymakers increasingly are focused on identifying policy mechanisms to reduce the numbers of infections that may result from patients’ stays in hospitals and other health care facilities. Infectious diseases physicians work in collaboration with other health care personnel (HCP) to develop and implement evidence-based practices to prevent and control these health care-associated infections (HAIs). Policy decisions which support evidence-based practices are the best approach for preventing HAIs and protecting patients, HCP, and communities.

Contact your Congressional representative through our Advocacy Center to show your support for policy decisions supported by evidence-based practices to prevent health care-associated infections, protect patients, health care personnel and and communities.

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Clean Hands Count for Safe Healthcare (CDC)

Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings: Minimum Expectations for Safe Care (CDC)

Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (CDC HICPAC)

Hospital-Acquired Conditions (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

National Action Plan to Prevent Health Care-Association Infections: Road Map to Elimination (HHS)

Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)

Comments on Federal Policies
Letters to Federal Agencies

IDSA Comments on HHS National Vector-Borne Disease Strategy RFI

6/11/2021

IDSA submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services with recommendations for developing a national strategy for researching, surveilling, diagnosing, and treating vector-borne diseases.

IDSA Comments on CDC HCP Guidelines

4/30/2021

IDSA submitted comments to the CDC on HCP guidelines to include more gender-inclusive language.

IDSA and SHEA Submit Joint Comments to Federal Health Safety Agency on Respiratory Protective Devices (PDF)

4/14/2014

IDSA and SHEA submitted comments to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on respiratory protective devices (RPDs) used in health care.

IDSA Comments to USPSTF Draft Recommendation Statement on Screening for HBV Infection (PDF)

3/10/2014

IDSA supports the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) grade "B" recommendation to screen for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in adults at high risk for infection.

IDSA Comments on Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Developing Drugs for Treatment (PDF)

1/22/2014

IDSA submitted comments to FDA's draft guidance for industry entitled "Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Developing Drugs for Treatment." IDSA applauded FDA's draft guidance as a major step forward for the clinical development of improved tuberculosis treatment regimens and providing much-needed clarity for sponsors interested in TB product development.

Joint IDSA APIC SHEA Comments on Federal Guidance on PPE (PDF)

11/5/2009

IDSA submitted a joint comment letter with the Association of Professional in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) on federal guidance regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) of healthcare workers in treating suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza.

IDSA Comments to HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group

2/16/2022

IDSA submitted comments to the Health and Human Service’s Tick-Borne Disease Working Group ahead of its Feb. 28-March 1 meeting outlining priority areas in research, education, and diagnostics.

IDSA Comments on Healthy People 2030 (PDF)

1/17/2019

IDSA comments to the Department of Health and Human Services' Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health and Disease Prevention proposed objectives for Healthy People in the areas of global health, healthcare-associated infections, immunization and infectious disease, opioids, and sexually transmitted diseases.

IDSA Leads Letter to HHS Secretary on AMR (PDF)

5/22/2017

IDSA led a group of over forty organizations representing health care providers, patients, public health, and industry to thank HHS Secretary Tom Price for his upcoming participation in the World Health Assembly, and to continue domestic and international work to advance a robust response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that reflects the US commitment to infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance, and innovation.

IDSA Letter to FDA on Drug Shortages (PDF)

11/14/2016

IDSA sent a letter to FDA in response to an Emerging Infections Network survey of ID physicians that showed continued shortages of vital anti-infective drugs despite actions taken by FDA and Congress in 2012. IDSA collaborated with stakeholders to determine what additional information is needed to fully assess the issues leading to these shortages and what solutions may help to address underlying problems.

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