Overview

Chicago's HAI/AR Unit commits to continued detection and response to antibiotic-resistant infections in healthcare settings.

CDPH Healthcare Associated Infections / Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Unit

The HAI/AR Unit will continue to conduct onsite investigations and provide technical assistance to Chicago providers to mitigate gaps in infection control. The HAI/AR Unit will leverage surveillance data for public health response and train healthcare staff across the continuum of care in core antimicrobial stewardship principles and appropriate antimicrobial use. The HAI/AR Unit commits to work with state, local, academic, and clinical partners to establish regional standards for infection control and antimicrobial stewardship best practices to reduce the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest public health challenges of our time. In 2013, CDC published a comprehensive analysis outlining the top 18 antibiotic-resistant threats in the U.S., titled Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013 (AR Threats Report). The report sounded the alarm to the danger of antibiotic resistance, stating that each year in the U.S., at least 2 million people get an antibiotic-resistant infection, and at least 23,000 people die.

Useful HAI Links And Documents

1

State of HAIs within Illinois

Review reports on HAI rates within Illinois hospitals in addition to quality and safety data, nurse staffing, patient satisfaction and costs of services. The statewide initiative to control HAIs is outlined in the Illinois Action Plan to Prevent Health Care Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance.

Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care

Illinois Progress Report

Illinois Action Plan to Prevent Health Care Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance

 

2

How do I prevent HAIs within my own facility?

Click on our training resource page below to receive more information on infection prevention and control! This page includes archives of training sponsored by CDPH.

Training Resources and Guidelines

Infection Control Training Archive *NEW*

"Day in the Life of an Infection Preventionist" Workshop

"Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection" Workshop

 

3

How do I assess infection control within my own facility?

The Infection Control Assessment Tools were developed to assist in assessing infection prevention practices and guide quality improvement activities (e.g., by addressing identified gaps). These tools may also be used by healthcare facilities to conduct internal quality improvement audits.

Infection Control Assessment Tool for Acute Care Hospitals

Infection Control Assessment Tool for Long-term Care Facilities

Infection Control Assessment Tool for Outpatient Settings

Infection Control Assessment Tool for Hemodialysis Facilities

4

Chicago Health Alerts

The Chicago Health Alert Network (HAN) is CDPH's primary method of sharing information about urgent and emerging public health situations with Chicago healthcare facilities, clinicians, laboratories and partner agencies.

Sign up for HAN notifications!

5

Other useful tools:

XDRO Registry

XDRO (extensively drug resistant organisms) registry improves inter-facility communication; healthcare facilities can query the XDRO registry to see whether a patient has been previously reported as CRE or C. Auris positive. The first CRE or C. Auris positive culture per patient stay must be reported to the XDRO registry.

Inter-facility infection prevention transfer form

The inter-facility infection prevention transfer form was developed as part of a regional effort to improve communication between acute and long-term healthcare facilities. The purpose of the form is to convey information about a patient’s isolation precautions and the reason for their implementation to the receiving facility. The sending facility should record current infection and colonization information. The form is not intended to be a comprehensive documentation of microbiologic history and does not replace a review of medical records and communication between care providers.

Please fill out this form and send it with all patients being transferred between facilities, regardless of whether or not they require isolation.

6

Overview of HAIs

Below is some essential information from CDC on infections associated with invasive devices and procedures. Additionally, it is important to be aware of specific organisms and diseases often associated with healthcare settings.

Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)

Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)

Surgical Site Infection (SSI)

Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP)

More information on Specific Diseases and Organisms

CDPH Antimicrobial Stewardship

Click here for more information on Antimicrobial Stewardship!

High acuity long-Term care facilities

Chicago facilities with the ability to provide long-term care for patients requiring mechanical ventilation
 
  • Long-term acute care hospitals 
    • Patients who need to be in intensive care for an extended time are often transferred to a long-term care hospital to continue that care. The list below  includes Chicago facilities that offer this level of care:
      • Kindred Chicago Central Hospital - 4058 West Melrose Street Chicago, IL 60641
      • Kindred Chicago Lakeshore - 6130 North Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60660
      • Kindred North - 2544 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
      • RML Specialty Hospital - 3435 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60624
  • Skilled nursing facilities able to provide ventilator care
    • Patients who require ongoing ventilator support may be housed in skilled nursing facilities with respiratory therapy support and ventilator units. The list below  includes Chicago facilities that offer this level of care:
      • Alden Lakeland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center- 820 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
      • Carlton at the Lake Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center  - 725 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
      • GlenCrest Nursing & Rehabilitation Centre - 2451 W Touhy Ave, Chicago, IL 60645
      • WarrenBarr South Loop Nursing & Rehabilitation Centre - 1725 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Care capacity may change over time. Page updated on 4/29/2019.

Related External Links

Illinois Department of Public Health

HAI and AR Prevention Program

Illinois Hospital Report Card

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Healthcare Associated Infections

Project Firstline

Project Firstline is a CDC effort that aims to provide engaging, innovative, and effective infection control training for millions of frontline U.S. healthcare workers as well as members of the public health workforce.

For more information click here.
 

HAI Reporting

For questions related to Healthcare Associated Infection/Antibiotic Resistance, please contact the Chicago Department of Public Health at:  CDPHHAIAR@cityofchicago.org 

HAI Coordinator: 

Shannon Xydis 
Email: Shannon.Xydis@cityofchicago.org 
312-743-0416 (Office) 
312-746-4683 (Fax) 

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PALASE  Collaborative

A 1:1 collaborative approach to support nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities with implementing a robust Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) by leveraging acute care hospital (ACH) antimicrobial stewardship (AS) expertise.istration

Jamie Jacob, PharmD, BCIDP
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Coordinator, IDPH
Jamie.jacob@illinois.gov