ACCC Collaborating with The Joint Commission and CDC to Improve Patient Safety in Outpatient Medical Settings

ROCKVILLE, MD. – The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) is collaborating with The Joint Commission and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a new project to help prevent patients from getting healthcare-associated infections during outpatient care. Project participants will help expand the reach, uptake, and adoption of guidelines by creating model infection prevention and control plans that can be used by practices nationwide.

Called ADOPT (Adaptation and Dissemination Outpatient Infection PrevenTion) Guidance, the three-year project includes collaborating with a variety of freestanding ambulatory settings and specialties. ACCC is one of 12 outpatient-focused professional organizations and 10 ambulatory healthcare systems selected for participation by CDC and The Joint Commission. Each organization will provide information about how current infection prevention materials are used. In addition, each will consult on development of new or adapted infection control plans, helping to ensure they are relevant and easy to use for outpatient care providers.

“ACCC is excited to be working with CDC and The Joint Commission on this important initiative to improve infection prevention and control in outpatient settings,” said ACCC President Jennie R. Crews, MD, MMM, FACP.

“As more patients are seen and more complex care is given in outpatient settings, it is more critical than ever for healthcare providers to have the tools they need to deliver the safest care possible,” said Dr. Denise Cardo, director of CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. “This project will provide important insight to help ensure infection prevention efforts are successful in protecting patients who get care in doctor’s offices, surgery centers, and other outpatient facilities.”

To read more about this project, please visit: www.jointcommission.org.

Please contact Lori Gardner, lgardner@accc-cancer.org for more information.