Infection Control & Prevention

Brandon Cunningham RN, Director

(912) 699-6306


Jeff Davis Hospital's Department of Infection Control & Prevention promotes patient safety by reducing the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections. The Infection Control Department is made up an Infection Prevention
nurse.

Infection prevention is essential in the healthcare setting because it prevents or stops the spread of infections. The CDC guidelines assist healthcare workers in preventing the spread of infections from patients, visitors, and themselves. Below is the link to the CDC website on the basics of infection prevention. Also, please remember that hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections.

Infection Control Basics | Infection Control | CDC

Risk assessment, prevention, control, and surveillance

Jeff Davis Hospital Infection Control program includes the following areas:

●An annual risk assessment to prioritize our efforts to eliminate infections
●Prevention - proper hand hygiene, immunizations (flu, Hepatitis B, and Pertussis vaccine),      prevention of surgical site infections, proper coughing and sneezing techniques
●Control - MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
●Surveillance-problem-oriented situations
●Education - provide orientation and continuing education on the principles and practices of      infection prevention and control to all persons carrying on activities in the hospital
●Encouraging patients to speak up

The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, together with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), launched a national campaign in March 2002 urging patients to take a role in preventing health care errors and becoming active, involved, and informed participants of the health care team. In accordance with the Speak Up™ program initiatives, Jeff Davis Hospital encourages patients and their families to speak up if they have questions or concerns, and if they don't understand, to ask again. The Speak Up™ program features brochures.

Pandemic flu plan

Jeff Davis Hospital has designed a pandemic plan that will ensure the Jeff Davis County Healthcare is prepared to implement an effective response before a pandemic arrives, throughout the response if an outbreak does occur, and after the pandemic is over.