Acute Communicable Disease Control

County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Acute Communicable Disease Control
313 N. Figueroa Street, #212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-7941
Fax: (213) 482-4856
Email:acdc2@ph.lacounty.gov

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Infection Prevention and Control

Infection prevention and control in healthcare setting is important to reduce transmission of healthcare-associated infections between patients and healthcare workers. The single most important measure to reduce infections is proper handwashing (or the use of disinfectant alcohol solutions) for health care workers. Patient-centered strategies for effective infection control include isolation precautions to the spread of infectious agents and use of protective barriers, work restrictions for exposed or infected workers, and immunizations for vaccine-preventable diseases. Environmental cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are also an important part of infection control.
LACDPH engages in a number of infection prevention strategies to reduce HAIs and improve patient safety.

LAC DPH Health Advisory: Resurgence of Candida auris in  Los Angeles County (7-17-20)

Current activities
Targeting Appropriate Prescribing in Outpatient Settings (TAP OUT)
LTAC Collaborative
LACDPH Infection Prevention Course

Guidelines

• LAC DPH Policy and Guidance for Visitors in Healthcare Settings - 2018
• LAC Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms and Clostridium Difficile in Acute Care Facilities
• CDC Guidelines for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 2017
• CDC 2007 Guidelines for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings
• CDC Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities, 2003
• CDC Management of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms in Healthcare Settings, 2006
• Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Disease Standards
• CDC Laundry Guidelines in Healthcare Facilities
• CDC and Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory (HICPAC) Guideline for the Prevention and Control of Norovirus Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings, 2011
• Norovirus in Healthcare Settings, CDC (includes norovirus prevention toolkit)

Publications  
CURRENT ISSUE: Public Health Quarterly Connect (for outpatient settings)
Los Angeles County Healthcare-Associated Infections: 2017 Regional Summary Report
LAC Healthcare-Associated Infections 2016 Regional Summary Report
LAC Healthcare-Associated Infections 2015 Regional Summary Report
2016 Special Report: Infection Control Assessments Partnerships with EMS
2016 Special Studies Report: ASC ICAR Special Study

Program Websites

• County of Los Angeles Health Facilities Inspection Division
• CDPH Licensing and Certification
• CDPH Healthcare Associated Infections Program
• CDPH Healthcare Associated Infections Advisory Committee
• CDPH Healthcare Associated Infections and Infection Control Guidelines
• CDC Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)
• CDC Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)
• CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Cal/OSHA

External Resources
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
California APIC Coordinating Council
Greater L.A. APIC
Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)
The Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)
Healthcare-Associated Infections -- Patient Guide

See also:
Healthcare-associated infections
Outpatient settings
Skilled nursing facilities
Scabies

Contact us
hai@ph.lacounty.gov