In 2003, the Healthcare Outreach Unit (HOU) was created because of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic and was designed to enhance disease and outbreak reporting between Los Angeles County (LAC) public health and LAC hospitals. Since then, the work of the HOU has expanded to include healthcare associated infection HAI) surveillance, infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship consultation, outbreak investigation, and multi-drug resistant organism containment in acute care, outpatient, long-term care, and emergency medical settings.

To improve patient safety within Los Angeles County healthcare setting.

Purpose

The purpose of the LAC Healthcare-Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance Committee (HAI-ARC) is to define priorities for, make recommendations to, and assist the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AR) in LA County.

Membership

All individuals with a role in prevention of HAI and/or AR in the LAC healthcare community are eligible for membership. Disciplines that are encouraged to join include, but are not limited to: infection preventionists, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, nurses, health administrators, physicians, epidemiologists, and quality improvement practitioners. Persons interested in becoming a member of the LAC HAI-ARC must send their interest to the Chairperson, to be reviewed and approved by the Chairperson and membership prior to attendance.

Chairperson:

Zachary Rubin, MD | zrubin@ph.lacounty.gov | (213) 240-7941