APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology: A Comprehensive and Up-to-Date Reference for IPC
What is the APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology?
If you are a healthcare professional, a student, or anyone interested in infection prevention and control (IPC), you may have heard of the APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology. But what exactly is it and why should you care?
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The APIC Text is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for IPC that covers everything from fundamental principles, microbiology, epidemiology, and surveillance to more specialized topics, such as specialty care populations, special pathogens, occupational health, and supportive care. It is written, edited, and reviewed by more than 200 subject matter experts who reflect the latest guidelines, regulations, and standards of practice in IPC.
The APIC Text was first published in 1996 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), a leading organization that aims to advance IPC and patient safety worldwide. Since then, it has been updated regularly to reflect the evolving field of IPC and the emerging challenges and opportunities in healthcare.
The APIC Text is currently in its 3rd edition, which was released in 2014. It consists of three volumes that contain 125 chapters organized into 11 sections. The 3rd edition also introduced an online platform that allows subscribers to access the APIC Text anytime, anywhere, on any device.
Why is the APIC Text important for infection prevention and control?
Infection prevention and control is a vital component of healthcare quality and safety. It aims to prevent or reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which are infections that patients acquire during or after receiving healthcare services. HAIs can cause serious harm or even death to patients, as well as increase healthcare costs and liability.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one HAI on any given day in the United States. Some of the most common HAIs include bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, pneumonia, and Clostridioides difficile infections.
To prevent or control HAIs, healthcare professionals need to follow evidence-based practices and protocols that are based on current scientific knowledge and best practices. They also need to monitor and evaluate their IPC programs and outcomes regularly to ensure their effectiveness and compliance.
That's where the APIC Text comes in handy. The APIC Text provides a comprehensive and up-to-date reference for IPC that covers all aspects of IPC from theory to practice. It helps healthcare professionals to:
Understand the principles, concepts, methods, and tools of IPC
Apply IPC strategies to various settings, populations, situations, and challenges
Stay abreast of the latest developments, trends, guidelines, regulations, and standards in IPC
Enhance their knowledge, skills, competence, and confidence in IPC
Prepare for certification or recertification exams in IPC
The APIC Text is also a valuable resource for students, educators, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in IPC. It provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the field of IPC and its relevance and importance for healthcare quality and safety.
The scope and content of the APIC Text
The APIC Text covers a wide range of topics and issues related to IPC. It is organized into 11 sections and 125 chapters, as shown in the table below.
Section Number of chapters Topics --- --- --- Overview of Infection Prevention Programs 5 - Infection prevention and control programs- Competency and certification of infection preventionists- Education and training- Accrediting and regulatory agencies- Professional and nonprofit organizations Fundamental Principles 9 - Microbiology- Epidemiology- Surveillance- Outbreak investigation- Antimicrobial stewardship- Hand hygiene- Standard precautions- Transmission-based precautions- Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization Infection Prevention Across the Continuum of Care 14 - Acute care hospitals- Ambulatory care settings- Behavioral health settings- Correctional facilities- Dental settings- Dialysis settings- Home care settings- Hospice settings- Long-term care facilities- Rehabilitation settings- Rural health settings- School health settings- Veterinary settings- International health settings Specialty Care Populations 11 - Neonatal intensive care units- Pediatric intensive care units- Adult intensive care units- Burn units- Oncology units- Solid organ transplant units- Hematopoietic stem cell transplant units- Cardiovascular surgery units- Orthopedic surgery units- Neurosurgery units- Bariatric surgery units Text is a useful resource for preparing for certification or recertification exams in IPC, such as the Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam or the Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC Canada) exam. The APIC Text covers the core competencies and domains of IPC that are tested in these exams, such as identification of infectious disease processes, surveillance and epidemiologic investigation, preventing and controlling the transmission of infectious agents, employee and occupational health, management and communication, education and research, and environment of care.
To prepare for certification or recertification exams in IPC using the APIC Text, you can:
Review the relevant chapters and sections of the APIC Text that correspond to the exam content outline.
Take notes and highlight key points and concepts from the APIC Text.
Test your knowledge and understanding of the APIC Text using the self-assessment questions at the end of each chapter.
Use additional resources and tools from APIC or IPAC Canada, such as practice tests, study guides, webinars, courses, or workshops.
How can I contribute to the APIC Text as an author, editor, or reviewer?
The APIC Text is a collaborative effort that involves more than 200 subject matter experts who contribute to the APIC Text as authors, editors, or reviewers. If you are an experienced and qualified infection preventionist who wants to share your knowledge and expertise with the IPC community, you can apply to join the APIC Text team as an author, editor, or reviewer.
To apply to be an author, editor, or reviewer for the APIC Text, you need to:
Have a current membership with APIC or IPAC Canada.
Have a current certification in IPC (CIC or IPAC Canada).
Have at least five years of experience in IPC.
Have a relevant academic degree or credential in IPC.
Have a record of publications or presentations in IPC.
Have excellent writing and editing skills in English.
Have access to a computer and internet connection.
If you meet these criteria and are interested in applying to be an author, editor, or reviewer for the APIC Text, please visit https://apic.org/resources/apic-text/contribute/ for more information.
How can I contact APIC or IPAC Canada for more information or feedback about the APIC Text?
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or feedback about the APIC Text, you can contact APIC or IPAC Canada directly using the following information:
APIC:
Phone: (202) 789-1890
Email: products@apic.org
Website: https://apic.org/resources/apic-text/
IPAC Canada:
Phone: (204) 897-5990
Email: info@ipac-canada.org
Website: https://ipac-canada.org/
What are some other resources that I can use to learn more about IPC?
Besides the APIC Text, there are many other resources that you can use to learn more about IPC. Some of these resources include:
The CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/index.html) that provides information and guidance on various topics and issues related to IPC.
The World Health Organization (WHO) website (https://www.who.int/topics/infection-control/en/) that provides information and guidance on global IPC standards and initiatives.
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Hub (https://www.ipchub.org/) that provides a platform for IPC professionals to access and share IPC resources and best practices.
The Journal of Infection Prevention (https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jip) that publishes peer-reviewed articles on IPC research and practice.
The American Journal of Infection Control (https://www.ajicjournal.org/) that publishes peer-reviewed articles on IPC research and practice.
The Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology) that publishes peer-reviewed articles on IPC research and practice.
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