HHS Seeks Comment on HAI Action Plan Strategies for Outpatient Care

The Office of Healthcare Quality is soliciting public comment on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)'s Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections draft tier 2 modules.

The action plan identifies key actions in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Tier 2 expands efforts outside of the acute-care setting into outpatient facilities. Tier 2 modules are draft comprehensive strategies for preventing and reducing healthcare-associated infections in ambulatory surgical centers and end-stage renal disease facilities, as well as a strategy to increase influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel. The modules build upon and are to be included in the existing HHS Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections that focuses on reducing hospital-acquired infections (tier 1).

Comments on the draft tier 2 modules should be received no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010.

Comments are preferred electronically and may be addressed to OHQ@hhs.gov. Written responses should be addressed to Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Healthcare Quality, 200 Independence Ave, S.W., Room 719B, Washington, D.C. 20201, Attention: Draft Tier 2 Modules.