APIC/CHICA-Canada infection prevention, control, and epidemiology: Professional and practice standards

Standards are authoritative statements that reflect the expectations, values, and priorities of the profession. While voluntary, these standards provide direction and a dynamic framework for the evaluation of practice to address the needs of the customers served. Standards also define the profession’s accountability in terms of desired outcomes for which infection prevention and control professionals (ICPs) are responsible. These standards are designed to be used in identifying areas for professional growth, developing job descriptions, and providing criteria for performance evaluations. These standards encompass a broad spectrum of practice settings and professional backgrounds and include key indicators that are designed to be used in evaluating both the competency of the individual and their practice. The key indicators represent multiple skills considered necessary to meet the demands of the evolving health care environment. It is expected that the ICP will meet or exceed the indicators associated with both the Professional and Practice Standards. In general, the standards will remain stable over time as they reflect each organization’s philosophy and values; however, the indicators will be reviewed periodically to ensure that they incorporate and address current scientific knowledge, clinical practice, global issues, and technology.