Committees
APIC Minnesota relies on members to volunteer and serve on any of several committees. Because of the time, effort and help of our members, we have developed a valuable resource of shared knowledge, experience, and assistance.
Ambulatory Care Committee
Responsibilities
The Ambulatory Care Committee is a discussion and resource group which meets virtually, monthly, to discuss current issues and topics in regards to infection prevention in the ambulatory care setting. Recent topics include:
- COVID-19
- Influenza
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Sterile processing
- High level disinfection
- Patient care area and equipment cleaning
- Hand hygiene
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Support, tools, resources for ambulatory care
CDC Minimum Standard Guidelines and checklist:
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
Conference Committee
Responsibilities
The 8-10 member conference committee is responsible for providing an annual educational conference for professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology in the region and generate income which supports the primary activities of the general membership.
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
Education Committee
Responsibilities
The Education Committee oversees the development of the educational agenda for APIC MN’s regularly scheduled General Meetings. This includes selecting session topics and crafting clear, relevant learning objectives.
Committee Responsibilities:
- Assist in identifying and securing qualified speakers
- Provide insight and feedback on statewide education needs
The committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
Reprocessing Committee
The APIC Minnesota Reprocessing Committee is a discussion and resource group meeting virtually, monthly to discuss current issues and topics relative to disinfection and sterilization.
- Learn from one-another knowledge, experiences, and opinion
- Provide guidance on issues and topics
- Review accreditation, federal and professional standards
- Review complex issues and topics and how to approach
- Review information from manufacturers and industry
- Review new and emerging technologies and practices
- Review published articles, scientific studies, and professional opinions
- Review questions and issues from members and provide a consensus response
- Share policy, procedure, study, and other materials (as appropriate)
Recent Topics Included:
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CDC-HICPAC resource
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Multisociety guidelines on reprocessing flexible GI endoscopes and accessories
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Processing ultrasound transducers and covers use
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Processing flexible endoscopes
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
International Committee
Responsibilities
The International Committee is responsible for promoting international infection control and infectious disease epidemiological awareness among APIC MN members. Members of the committee keep appraised of world health issues and practices as they relate to infection control.
The committee and APIC MN members collaborate with other countries to support humanitarian efforts of its members and other world Infection Control organizations seeking assistance with infection control knowledge and practices.
Helpful International Website Links
International Federation of Infection IFIC) http://www.theIFIC.org
This organization’s mission is to provide the essential tools, education materials and communication that unite the existing Infection Control societies and to foster development of Infection Control organizations where needed. Many resources available online include the handbook Basic Concepts of Infection Control, The International Journal of Infection Control, a listing of information resources on infection control, and the IFIC Newsletter.
Support for International Change http://www.sichange.org/
http://sichange.org/resources/sic-curricula/
HIV Awareness curricula in English and Swahili.
Hesperian Foundation http://www.hesperian.org/
This organization publishes and distributes books and educational materials to help the world’s poor take greater control over their health and their lives. Publisher of Where there is No Doctor. Materials are downloadable and translated into many languages.
Pathfinder International https://www.pathfinder.org/
There are many free publications on health education for developing countries, especially on the topic of HIV/AIDS
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) http://www.usaid.gov/
This is a very rich site with programs all over the developing world. There are a wide variety of programs on health and maternal child issues. A useful publication is Immunization Essentials: A Practical Field Guide. Another is Antenatal, Postnatal and Child Health Book (tailored for Africa). Both are downloadable.
World Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int/en/
This site has many publications available online relevant to the various areas of the world where it works.
PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health)
Supports the Resources for Diarrheal Disease Control at https://www.path.org/
This resource-rich site provides tools that advocates and practitioners alike can use in spreading the word about the deadly toll of diarrheal disease and the solutions to stop it.
In addition to established interventions that include oral rehydration therapy, breastfeeding, clean water, and hygiene, new tools like zinc and diarrhea vaccines bring new opportunities to re-invigorate interest and investments toward addressing the 2nd-leading cause of child death.
Jhpiego http://www.jhpiego.jhu.edu/
Jhpiego (pronounced "ja-pie-go"), is an international non-profit health organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. For 35 years, Jhpiego has empowered front-line health workers by designing and implementing effective, low-cost, hands-on solutions to strengthen the delivery of healthcare services for women and their families.
This website has a wide variety of publications that are free and downloadable. There is a very useful manual, Infection Prevention Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities with Limited Resources. There are many useful publications related to maternal child health.
This is far from an exhaustive list of resources. They may be of use or interest to our members. More will be added.
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
Long Term Care Committee
Responsibilities
The Long Term Care Committee meets monthly in person prior to APIC MN general meetings to provide education, updates and new information related to Long Term Care. The committee membership includes assisted living facilities, regional treatment centers, and corporate consultants.
Recent topics include:
Covid/Post-Covid
- Emergency Preparedness in Long Term Care
- Infection prevention related to transfer from hospital to long term care
- Increasing the number of members with certification in infection prevention and control
- Managing upcoming changes in safety, reporting and regulatory requirements
Long Term Care Education and Travel Support has been established to provide APIC MN members specializing in Long Term Care with Education and Travel Support for APIC MN Fall Conference.
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
Mental/Behavioral Health and Addiction Services Committee
Responsibilities:
The Behavioral/Mental Health & Addiction Services committee serves as a resource and discussion group for healthcare facilities serving patients requiring behavioral health, mental health, and/or addiction-related care. This encompasses inpatient, outpatient, and/or residential facility types, and includes both adolescent and adult patient populations. The committee discusses relevant issues and topics that pertain to infection prevention practices in behavioral/mental health and addiction services settings.
This committee meets virtually, quarterly, and on an as-needed basis.
If you are interested in joining this group please contact [email protected].
Nominating Committee
Responsibilities
The Nominating Committee is responsible for developing a slate of candidates each year from active APIC MN members who are willing to run for a position. After the slate is approved by the board of Directors, the committee facilitates the election process and notifies the membership of the results.
The outgoing elected officials are thanked for their service and the newly elected are welcomed during the Christmas luncheon.
Running For Office
It’s very important for our membership to take an active role in APIC MN. Serving in an office gives us the chance to work with a wonderful group of people and also have a voice in the direction this organization will move.
A fantastic side benefit to serving on the Board is one paid trip to the national conference. The person elected to the Two Year Nominating Committee position has paid tuition to the APIC MN fall conference on the year he or she chairs the committee. We need your ideas! We need you!
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
Pediatric Committee
New Year New Beginnings for Pediatric IPs in Minnesota
In the year 2016 APIC MN officially announced a new committee dedicated to pediatric infection prevention to begin in the year 2016. We acknowledge that pediatric infection prevention is unique in so many ways and the purpose of this committee is to provide a platform to share, discuss, and voice infection prevention issues in the pediatric population. The committee meets quarterly.
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
Communication Committee
APIC Minnesota communication committee works to keep members and the community informed of infectious disease and prevention issues, practices, and developments.
If you are proficient in social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), interested in outreach and publication (email notices, newsletters), blogging, photography, and website development consider volunteering to help keep your colleagues up to date!
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
Emerging Infections Committee
The APIC Minnesota Emerging Infections Committee brings together infection prevention professionals from across the state to discuss issues related to emerging, high consequence (HCID), and other novel infectious diseases. Our goal is to share transmission mitigation best practices, and professional insights between systems, IP to IP. Recently, our focus has been upon mitigation and recovery from SARS-CoV-2 virus cases, but the group has previously been active in developing guidance and providing advice in preparations for Ebola virus, novel influenzas, and other newly recognized human health threats such as Zika virus.
Our committee has representatives of infection control and prevention professions, nurses, doctors, researchers, educators, and public health professionals. We meet frequently while the current pandemic progresses and will continue to discuss issues via virtual conference calls once this crisis has receded; to ensure we are prepared for the next wave of cases from some future disease.
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions contact [email protected].
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Committee
The Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Committee meets quarterly remotely and discusses best practices and workflows related to infection prevention activities within the EMR (e.g. healthcare infection surveillance and reporting, travel/symptom screening, public reporting measures, etc.). The committee is comprised of infection preventionists; information technology specialists working with the site infection prevention EMR systems are welcome to join.
Recent Topics Include:
- How to meet the new Respiratory Illness Reporting Requirements
- Travel screening and Candida auris/Carbapenemase Producing Organism screening
- TB risk factor/symptom screening
If you are interested in joining the group or have questions, contact [email protected]
