Why is infection prevention important?
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients get while or soon after receiving health care. This potential risk for patients is why professionals in infection prevention play such a vital role in our healthcare system. The good news is everyone can aid in preventing infections by doing some simple things to help protect themself from these types of infections. Please see APIC’ s infographic that displays these simple steps to help prevent HAIs.
Meet IDOH's Infection Prevention Program
The Infection Prevention Program includes a program manager, three regional infection preventionists, and an infectious prevention epidemiologist. The IP Team brings a depth of experience, holds accredited degrees, and national certifications. We can provide healthcare facilities with the tools and guidance needed for infection prevention and control (IPC).
The Infection Prevention Team provides proactive and reactive Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) site visits, develop toolkits, present nationally and statewide, educate in various healthcare and community settings, mentor, coach, and support community members who are responsible for IPC. For IPC questions and concerns please contact us by clicking here for the IP team map and contact information.
Learn More about CDC's ICAR Tool
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) ICAR tool is a comprehensive aid designed to help assess IPC practices in acute care, long-term care, and outpatient settings. The tool includes a series of modules that individuals performing the assessment may use depending on the focus of the assessment.
- Module 1 – Training, Audits, Feedback
- Module 2 – Hand Hygiene
- Module 3 – Transmission-Based Precautions (TBP)
- Module 4 – Environmental Services (EVS)
- Module 5 – High-level Disinfection and Sterilization
- Module 6 – Injection Safety
- Module 7 – Point of Care (POC) Blood Testing
- Module 8 – Wound Care
- Module 9 – Healthcare Laundry
- Module 10 – Antibiotic Stewardship
- Module 11 – Water Exposure
To learn please visit CDC's webpage on the ICAR tool.
- March 2025 - NHSN Reporting, Injection Safety, ATP Machines, and Guess the germ!
- June 2025 - Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGP) Q&A, Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention, It's Tick Season in Indiana.
- October 2025- Fall/winter viruses, IPC in LTCs, APIC LTC IPC resources, ICRA, Fingernail IPC, and upcoming events
- January 2024- Preparing for ICAR Visits, Webinars, CPOs, COVID-19 Reporting
- April 2024- APIC, Clean Equipment, Injection Safety Webpage
- June 2024- Measles, Wounds
- August 2024- Enhanced Barrier Precautions, MDRO Spotlight: VISA/VRSA
- October 2024- Respiratory Illnesses, Tracheostomies and Infection Prevention, Bloodborne Pathogens
- December 2024- MDRO Screenings, What is Cohorting, Improving Infection Prevention in LTCs with ATP Machines
Page last reviewed and updated: November 2025
