Prevent HIV/STDs, Vaccine-Preventable Disease and Healthcare-Associated Infections Action Plan - Recommended Evidence-based programs, policies and practices

Focus Area 1 - Prevent HIV and STDs

  • Goal #1: Decrease HIV morbidity in New York State
  • Goal #2: Increase early access to and retention in HIV care in New York State
  • Goal #3: Decrease STD morbidity in New York State
  • Goal #4: Decrease HIV and STD disparities in New York State
  • Goal #5: Increase and coordinate Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention and treatment capacity in New York State

Focus Area 2 - Prevent Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

  • Goal #1: Improve childhood and adolescent
  • Goal #2: Educate all parents about the importance of Immunizations rates
  • Goal #3: Decrease the burden of pertussis disease
  • Goal #4: Decrease the burden of influenza disease
  • Goal #5: Decrease the burden of disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Goal #6: Increase adult immunizations

Focus Area 3 - Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections

  • Goal #1: Reduce C. difficile infections
  • Goal #2: Reduce multidrug-resistant organisms infection
  • Goal #3: Reduce device-associated infections

Focus Area 1 - Prevent HIV and STDs

Goal #1(Action Plan)(Dashboard): Decrease HIV morbidity in New York State.

  1. Conduct peer-led interventions for HIV care navigation, testing and other services.
    1. Peers Reaching Out and Modeling Intervention Strategies (Community PROMISE)
      PROMISE is a community-level intervention capable of targeting any population to help people adopt safer sex or risk-reduction practices.
    2. Real AIDS Prevention Project
      Describes an intervention aimed at reducing the risks of contracting HIV and unplanned pregnancies among women in high-risk communities.
    3. Self-Help in Eliminating Life-Threatening Diseases (SHIELD)
      Teaches peer educators strategies to reduce HIV risk associated with drug use and sex behavior as well as how they can become leaders within their social networks to help stop the spread of HIV.
    4. Mpowerment (Note: requires login)
      This model HIV prevention program is designed to address the needs of young gay and bisexual men. Scientific studies have demonstrated that the program reduces the rates of unprotected anal intercourse among this group, and thus lowers the rate of new HIV infection.
    5. Popular Opinion Leader
      Community-level intervention that involves identifying, enlisting and training key opinion leaders to encourage safer sexual norms and behaviors within their social networks through risk-reduction conversations.
    6. Patient Navigators
      While this program was first used for cancer screenings, links are provided to implementation examples and a toolkit that can be adapted for HIV screening programs.
    7. Tearing Down Fences: HIV/STD Prevention in Rural America
      Addresses the needs of rural communities to design and implement HIV/STD prevention programs.
    8. Indian Health Service HIV/AIDS Program
      Site contains resources and materials to promote HIV/AIDS prevention and care among Native Americans.
    9. CDC Compendium Evidence-Based HIV Behavioral Interventions
      Site lists evidence-based and promising interventions searchable by target population.
    10. High Impact HIV/AIDS Prevention Project
      Site contains information on peer-led interventions that have been proven effective in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
    11. The New York State Youth Sexual Health Plan is a guide to ensure that accurate sexual health information addressing HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is made available to all New York State youth.
  2. Launch educational campaigns to improve health literacy and patient participation in health care, especially among high need populations, including Hispanics and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups.
    1. Center of Excellence for Transgender Health
      Outlines the specific needs of trans-people for promoting HIV prevention and includes a resource guide for adapting the SISTA program for transwomen.
    2. The Health Communicator's Social Media Toolkit
      CDC guide to using social media to improve reach of health messages, increase access to content, increase participation from audiences and advance transparency to improve health communication efforts.
    3. CDC HIV/AIDS Media
      Contains educational resources on HIV and AIDS organized by target audience.
    4. Greater than AIDS
      Organization that works to increase knowledge, confront stigma, and promote actions to prevent the spread of HIV.
    5. Act Against AIDS
      CDC campaign using celebrities, PSAs, personal stories and other resources to educate people on HIV/AIDS and how to protect themselves.
    6. It's Your Sex Life
      Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning public information partnership between the Kaiser Family Foundation and MTV to support young people in making responsible decisions about sexual health.
    7. HIV Stops With Me
      Multifaceted national social marketing campaign that aims to prevent the spread of HIV while also reducing the stigma associated with the disease. The campaign features HIV-positive people talking about real issues.
    8. National Prevention Information Network
      CDC network offers ideas and resources to maximize the impact of social media and educational campaigns to prevent the spread of HIV.
    9. The New York State Youth Sexual Health Plan is a guide to ensure that accurate sexual health information addressing HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is made available to all New York State youth.
  3. Implement and support biomedical interventions for HIV positive and at risk-individuals.
    1. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
      NYS Department of Health site contains the clinical guidelines, standards, and quality of care for HIV/AIDS with information on PrEP.
    2. CDC Recommendations on Antiretroviral Postexposure Prophylaxis After Non-Occupational Exposure to HIV
      MMWR summarizes recommendations for providing non-occupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
    3. Medication Adherence
      Collection of biomedical interventions that use medical, clinical and public health approaches designed to moderate biological and physiological factors to prevent HIV infection, reduce susceptibility to HIV and/or decrease HIV infectiousness.
    4. Adherence to ART
      These guidelines and strategies can be used to promote antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence.
    5. ART for HIV Prevention
      Guidelines and strategies can be used to promote PreP as part of HIV prevention.
  4. Design all HIV interventions to address at least two co-factors that increase risk of contracting HIV, such as homelessness, substance use, history of incarceration and mental health problems.
    1. Project START
      This individual-level, multi-session intervention is for people being released from a correctional facility and returning to the community.
    2. Holistic Health Recovery Program
      The goals of this program, directed toward drug users, are health promotion and improved quality of life, abstinence from illicit drug use or from sexual risk behaviors, reduced drug use, reduced risk for HIV transmission, and improved medical, psychological, and social functioning.
    3. Safety Counts
      Intervention for out-of-treatment active injection and non-injection drug users aims at reducing high-risk drug use and sexual behaviors in these populations.
    4. Peers Reaching Out and Modeling Intervention Strategies (Community PROMISE)
      PROMISE is a community-level intervention capable of reaching any population to help people adopt safer sex or risk reduction practices.
    5. Expanded Syringe Access Program
      NYS Department of Health page contains information and guidelines on this program, which helps reduce the risk of spreading HIV among intravenous drug users.
    6. Medicaid Health Homes
      NYSDOH recommendations for implementing Health Homes, which aim to reduce preventable hospitalizations, avoid nursing home placement, prevent emergency room usage for care, and stabilize psychosocial issues to achieve better health outcomes.
    7. Health Home Care Management
      Program goal is to provide better integrated, coordinated services with good communication, contributing to higher quality, less costly care and improved health to the least engaged, highest-need clients with complex conditions, including HIV/AIDS.
    8. The New York State Youth Sexual Health Plan is a guide to ensure that accurate sexual health information addressing HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is made available to all New York State youth.
  5. Assure cultural competency training for providers, including gender identity and disability issues.
    1. National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care
      A blueprint for adopting the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Service (CLAS) Standards.
    2. The New York State Youth Sexual Health Plan is a guide to ensure that accurate sexual health information addressing HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is made available to all New York State youth.
  6. Implement quality indicators for all parameters of treatment for all health plans operating in New York State.
    1. Clinical Guidelines
      Outlines NYS Department of Health's clinical guidelines for providing quality care for various populations.
    2. Program Collaboration and Service Integration
      Presents CDC's mechanism for organizing and blending interrelated health issues, activities and prevention strategies to facilitate comprehensive delivery of services.

Return to top of page

Goal #2 (Action Plan) (Dashboard):
Increase early access to and retention in HIV care in New York State.

  1. Launch educational campaigns to teach patients how to navigate the recently re-designed Medicaid program and Affordable Care Act provisions.
    1. The Health Communicator's Social Media Toolkit
      CDC provides information on developing and implementing social media communications.
    2. NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace
      Explains the Affordable Care Act and enrollment options for New Yorkers, allowing consumers to compare plans and enroll in health insurance.
    3. Health Reform
      Describes the Affordable Care Act and associated changes, including how it affects people living with HIV/AIDS and other conditions.
  2. Empower people living with HIV/AIDS to help themselves and others around issues related to prevention and care.
    1. Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services (CRCS)
      Contains resources for implementing CRCS: intensive, individualized client-centered counseling for adopting and maintaining HIV risk-reduction behaviors in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative persons.
    2. Partner Services
      Describes services offered to individuals infected with HIV or an STD and their sexual or needle-sharing partners.
    3. ARTAS
      Toolkits, resources and training information on Anti-Retroviral Treatment and Access to Services (ARTAS), an individual-level intervention linking recently diagnosed persons with HIV to medical care.
    4. Positive Self-Management Program
      Contains links to licensing information, training information and organizations licensed to offer this group of workshops geared toward providing information for HIV-positive persons to improve medicine adherence, evaluate and manage symptoms, and effectively communicate with professionals, friends and family.
    5. in+care Campaign
      Designed to bring HIV-positive patients back to care; contains toolkits and strategies for implementation and management.
  3. Educate patients to know their right to be offered HIV testing in hospital and primary care settings.
    1. HIV Testing Toolkit: Resources to Support Routine HIV Testing for Adults and Teens
      NYSDOH toolkit contains information on HIV testing laws, guides for testing, brochures, etc.
    2. The New York State Youth Sexual Health Plan is a guide to ensure that accurate sexual health information addressing HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is made available to all New York State youth.
  4. Maximize the use of health home model to all eligible at-risk persons before they suffer severe consequences.
    1. Medicaid Health Homes
      The program is a care management service model in which all of an individual's caregivers communicate with one another so that all of a patient's needs are addressed in a comprehensive manner, and how to enroll in it.
  5. Bolster linkage to care efforts and transitional planning through improved delivery of HIV/AIDS care information to newly diagnosed patients.
    1. Patient Navigators
      While this program was first used for cancer screenings, links are provided to implementation examples and a toolkit that can be adapted for HIV screening programs.
  6. Offer HIV services in settings that can assist with linkage to housing, nutrition, employment and transportation services.
    1. Health Homes (Medical Home Model)
      In this model of care, personal physicians and their teams coordinate care across the health care system, working with patients to address all their preventive, acute and chronic health care needs, and arranging care with other qualified health professionals as needed. This site provides evidence and toolkit implementation resources.
    2. Parish Nursing
      Parish nurses are registered nurses positioned within a faith community who focus largely on health promotion and injury prevention but also may provide counseling, referral or advocacy support services. This site describes pertinent evidence and provides a link to implementation resources.
    3. AIDS Patient Resource Directory
      This AIDS Institute directory can help locate health care and medical services for those diagnosed with HIV.

Return to top of page

Goal #3 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Decrease STD morbidity in New York State.

  1. Ensure that all students attending public and charter schools in New York receive comprehensive, evidence-based, age-appropriate, medically accurate, unbiased sex education.
    1. Effective HIV and STD Prevention Programs for Youth: A Summary of Scientific Evidence
      Lists effective curricula and links to useful resources for effective HIV and STD prevention programs for youth.
    2. NYC Mandate for Sex Education in School
      NYC Education Department describes its curriculum and mandate for sex education in schools as an example for other districts.
    3. The New York State Youth Sexual Health Plan is a guide to ensure that accurate sexual health information addressing HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is made available to all New York State youth.
  2. Promote group or behavioral change strategies in conjunction with HIV/STD efforts.
    1. Motivational Interviewing
      This collaborative, person-centered form of guidance can elicit and strengthen motivation for change. Research shows that motivational techniques are associated with greater participation in treatment and positive treatment outcomes.
    2. Take Control! Campaign
      Adolescent sexual health media campaign designed by the NYS Department of Health to provide state-specific resources and age-appropriate information to promote positive sexual health.
    3. The Future Is Ours
      Gender-specific HIV/STD risk reduction intervention is designed for young, heterosexually active, at-risk women of diverse ethnicities, who are not injection drug users, are HIV-negative or of unknown status, are not pregnant or trying to become pregnant, and who live in communities where rates of HIV and other STDs are high.
    4. 13 Policies and Programs That Can Improve Health Behaviors (Filtered by Sexual Activity)
      List addresses sexual health behaviors.
    5. The New York State Youth Sexual Health Plan is a guide to ensure that accurate sexual health information addressing HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is made available to all New York State youth.

Return to top of page

Goal #4 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Decrease HIV and STD disparities in New York State.

  1. Implement a statewide anti-stigma initiative across all individual and community levels with money and other resources for social marketing and training.
    1. HIV Stops With Me
      Multifaceted national social marketing campaign aims to prevent the spread of HIV while also reducing the stigma associated with the disease. The campaign features HIV-positive people talking about real issues that they face.
    2. The Stigma Project
      This grassroots organization aims to lower the HIV infection rate and neutralize the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS through education using social media and advertising.
  2. Use social media and social network strategies to engage persons at risk.
    1. The Health Communicator's Social Media Toolkit
      CDC guide to using social media to improve reach of health messages, increase access to content, increase participation from audiences and advance transparency to improve health communication efforts.
    2. Act Against AIDS
      CDC site focuses on raising awareness among all Americans and reducing the risk of infection among the hardest-hit populations - gay and bisexual men, African Americans, Latinos - and other communities at increased risk.
    3. Know More Hepatitis
      CDC campaign to encourage people born between 1945 and 1965 to get tested for Hepatitis C.
    4. Take Control! Campaign
      Adolescent sexual health media campaign designed by the NYS Department of Health to provide State-specific resources and age-appropriate information to promote positive sexual health.
    5. ACT Youth Network
      The ACT Youth Network wants young people to be heard. Focuses on health and youth leadership in New York State.
    6. Seasonal Influenza Resources
      CDC educational materials for addressing flu recommendations including printed materials, video/audio tools, and mobile content.
    7. National Influenza Vaccination Week
      CDC materials and resources for spreading information regarding the importance of flu immunization.
  3. Increase scope of condom access programs.
    1. New York State Condom Program
      Sponsored by NYS Department of Health, eligible organizations may request free male and female condoms, personal lubricant, dental dams and finger cots. These organizations then provide the items at no cost to sexually active individuals in their communities.
    2. New York City Condom Program
      Identifies where to get condoms free of charge in NYC, and provides media campaign materials.
    3. The New York State Youth Sexual Health Plan is a guide to ensure that accurate sexual health information addressing HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention is made available to all New York State youth.

Return to top of page

Goal #5 (Action Plan)(Dashboard):
Increase and coordinate Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention and treatment capacity In New York State.

  1. Develop treatment literacy materials for HCV patients.
    1. CDC National Prevention Information Network
      Provides facts, resources, and tools to support efforts to prevent viral hepatitis.
    2. Hepatitis C Support Project
      Includes educational materials for download and use to increase community awareness.
    3. NYS Department of Health Hepatitis C
      Information about hepatitis C for providers and consumers.
  2. Support social media and mass marketing campaigns related to HCV.
    1. Hepatitis C Support Project
      Includes educational materials for download and use to increase community awareness.
  3. Expand HCV rapid testing, especially in HIV testing sites or where HIV testing is done routinely.
    1. Hepatitis C Screening Program Test Sites
      Lists HCV testing sites in New York State by county.
  4. Evaluate and support opportunities to integrate HCV diagnosis and treatment into primary care, HIV clinics, prison health services, syringe exchange programs and oral substitution-drug therapy programs.
    1. HCV Care and Treatment Providers
      Describes 13 programs funded by the NYS Health Department that integrate hepatitis C care and treatment into primary care settings, including drug treatment programs and HIV primary care clinics.
    2. HCV Continuity Program
      Program for NYS Department of Corrections and Community Services inmates who are under treatment for hepatitis C promotes treatment completion upon and after release to the community.
    3. Harm Reduction
      Section 80.135 of Title 10 of the State of New York Official Codes, Rules and Regulations provides the regulatory authority by which community-based, not-for-profit organizations and government entities may be granted a waiver to obtain, possess and furnish hypodermic syringes and needles without a prescription in programs designed to reduce HIV transmission.
    4. Expanded Syringe Access Program
      Program Overview
      Directory of ESAP providers
  5. Develop an HCV data registry, similar to the HIV registry.
    1. NYS Department of Health Hepatitis Surveillance
      Information on reporting hepatitis data to the NYS Department of Health.
  6. Improve the HCV surveillance system.
    1. NYS Department of Health Hepatitis Surveillance
      Information on reporting hepatitis data to the NYS Department of Health.
  7. Increase geographic coverage and participation in syringe exchange programs.
    1. Syringe Exchange Program
      Program Overview
      SEP sites and hours of operation
  8. Make testing for HCV a routine part of primary care visits.
      In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force augmented previous HCV screening guidance to recommend HCV screening:
    • At least once in a lifetime for all adults aged ≥18 years, regardless of risk.
    • For all pregnant individuals, during each pregnancy, regardless of risk.
    • Based on recognized conditions or exposures
    • For any person who requests HCV testing regardless of disclosure of risk

Return to top of page

Focus Area 2 - Prevent Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Goal #1 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Improve childhood and adolescent immunization rates.

  1. Improve efforts to educate patients, parents, children and schools about immunization and the importance of low exemption rates.
    1. Too Many Vaccines?
      American Academy of Pediatrics addresses parental concern over number of vaccines given to children.
    2. CDC's Parents Guide to Immunizations
      Booklet teaches parents about the role vaccines play in keeping their children healthy.
    3. Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations, NYS Department of Health
      Site educates parents on the importance of vaccines and which diseases they prevent, immunization schedules, and links to resources on making vaccination less stressful.
    4. Common Vaccine Misperceptions and Concerns Explained
      To clear confusion surrounding vaccines, this NYS Department of Health site addresses common misperceptions and concerns about vaccination that have risen in recent years.
    5. Communicating with Parents About Vaccination: A Framework for Health Professionals
      Describes the importance of health professionals in maintaining public trust in vaccination; also identifies recommendations tailored to specific parental positions on vaccination.
    6. Facts for Parents: Diseases & the Vaccines that Prevent Them
      CDC fact sheets include vaccination schedule, overview of vaccine production, reasons to vaccinate and information on vaccine ingredients, safety and risk.
    7. Give Your Child a Better Shot at Life - Vaccinate for HPV!
      Answers questions about human papillomavirus and the vaccine, provides fact sheets, and includes videos explaining the importance of HPV and why families chose to vaccinate.
    8. Healy CM, Pickering LK. How to communicate with vaccine-hesitant parents. Pediatrics. 1 May 2011;127(S1):S127-S133.
      For physicians.
    9. Herd Immunity
      Video describes herd immunity and what would happen if exemption rates rose.
    10. National Infant Immunization Week Educational Materials
      CDC's print and video materials that can be used to build community partnerships.
    11. NYS Department of Health Information on Immunizations for Child Care Programs, Schools and Post-Secondary Institutions
      Includes school entry requirements and laws, foreign language terms related to vaccines and disease, recommendations for summer camps and school assessment surveys.
    12. Putting the Immunization Picture into Focus
      Find scientifically supported answers to questions on vaccines and immunization.
    13. Some Common Misconceptions About Vaccination and How to Respond to Them
      CDC addresses six misconceptions in literature about vaccination, along with explanations of why they are misconceptions.
    14. Vaccinate Your Baby
      Information and resources on infant vaccination.
    15. Vaccination FAQs.
      NYS Department of Health page answers parents' questions about the safety of vaccines including ingredients, side effects, and the harms of skipping or delaying.
    16. Vaccine Benefits
      Information on the benefits of vaccines from the National Institutes of Health.
    17. Information for Health Care Professionals about Adolescent Vaccines
      CDC recommendations for meningococcal and influenza vaccines for adolescents, as well as recommendations on how to ensure your adolescent patients are fully vaccinated.
    18. Give it a Shot! Toolkit for Nurses and Other Immunization Champions Working with Secondary Schools
      Updated information and websites for teachers, school health professionals, students, and their families about HPV vaccine, Tdap vaccine, varicella vaccine, and influenza and pandemic flu planning.
    19. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      This monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and literature to highlight practical strategies and includes examples of initiatives that organizations have used to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
  2. Disseminate and work to implement best practices in immunization to change the practice context and ensure that immunizations are given at every opportunity.
    1. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
      A committee opinion from ACOG on integrating immunizations into obstetrics and gynecology office practice.
    2. Communicating With Parents About Vaccination: Framework for Health Professionals
      Describes the importance of health professionals in maintaining public trust in vaccination. Also identifies recommendations tailored to specific parental positions on vaccination.
    3. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists: A Comprehensive Tool Kit, ACOG
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on incorporating immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    4. Immunizing for Women
      National ACOG site has information and toolkits for immunizing women including during pregnancy.
    5. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      Guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    6. Influenza Immunization During Pregnancy, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
      Information and toolkit on influenza vaccine during pregnancy.
    7. NYS Vaccines for Children Program
      Program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.
    8. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines 
      Outlines procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
    9. Give it a Shot! Toolkit for Nurses and Other Immunization Champions Working with Secondary Schools
      Updated information and web sites for teachers, school health professionals, students, and their families about HPV vaccine, Tdap vaccine, varicella vaccine, and influenza and pandemic flu planning.
  3. Ensure and enforce strong immunization requirements for school entry.
    1. If You Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child, Understand the Risks and Responsibilities
      CDC fact sheet outlines possible risks for parents who choose to delay or decline a vaccine; offers steps for parents to take to protect their child, family and others.
    2. NYS Immunization Information System
      Describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training, information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs, and laws and regulations related to the system.
    3. NYS Vaccines for Children Program
      Program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.
    4. NYS Department of Health Information on Immunizations for Child Care Programs, Schools and post-Secondary Institutions
      Includes school entry requirements and laws, foreign language terms related to vaccines and disease, recommendations for summer camps and school assessment surveys.
  4. Disseminate and work to implement best practices in immunization to change the practice context and ensure that immunizations are given at every opportunity.
    1. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists: A Comprehensive Tool Kit
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    2. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines the procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
  5. Ensure that hospitals offer vaccinations to families of newborns.
    1. Immunizing for Women
      National ACOG website has information and toolkits for immunizing women, including during pregnancy.
    2. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists: A Comprehensive Tool Kit
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that includes various materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    3. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      Guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    4. FAQs for PHL 2805-h: Tdap in Newborn Nurseries
      Frequently asked questions about the law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns.
    5. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines the procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
  6. Increase adult immunization rates.
    1. Influenza Immunization During Pregnancy, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
      Toolkit on influenza vaccine during pregnancy.
    2. Information on Pertussis Vaccine for Adults
      Information for adults on whooping cough, who should receive a vaccination and why.
  7. Reach out proactively to media outlets to educate them on immunization.
    1. National Infant Immunization Week Educational Materials
      CDC's educational resources and promotion, public relations and media tools for promoting immunization.
  8. Improve the ability to exchange immunization information between the New York State Immunization Information System/city-wide Immunization Registry (NYSIIS/CIR) and electronic health records.
    1. NYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
  9. Investigate, research and work to eliminate disparities in vaccination rates.
    1. NewYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
    2. NYS Vaccines for Children Program
      Program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.
    3. NYS Department of Health Information on Immunizations for Child Care Programs, Schools and Post-Secondary Institutions
      Includes school entry requirements and laws, foreign language terms related to vaccines and disease, recommendations for summer camps, and school assessment surveys.
  10. Provide immunizations for adolescents in schools.
    1. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines the procedures that eligible healthcare professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
    2. Give it a Shot! Toolkit for Nurses and Other Immunization Champions Working with Secondary Schools
      Toolkit for nurses and other immunization champions working with secondary schools.

Return to top of page

Goal #2 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Educate all parents about the importance of immunizations.

  1. Work to increase the number of adults vaccinated during health care visits.
    1. American College of Physicians (ACP) Guide to Adult Immunization
      Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the ACP Guide to Adult Immunization will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in your day-to-day practice.
    2. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
      A committee opinion from ACOG on integrating immunizations into obstetrics and gynecology office practice.
    3. CDC Adult Vaccination Resources for Health Care Professionals
      Resources for health care professionals and patients on adult vaccines.
    4. CDC Strategies for Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates
      Low-cost, easy-to-implement strategies and tools to increase adult vaccination rates. Each strategy includes a definition, advantages and disadvantages, steps for implementation, and studies documenting the strategy's effectiveness. Materials for each strategy are provided, with a reference list of the effectiveness studies.
    5. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines the procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
  2. Improve efforts to educate patients, parents, children and schools about the importance of immunization.
    1. CDC's Parents Guide to Immunizations
      Booklet teaches parents about the role vaccines play in keeping their children healthy.
    2. Facts for Parents: Diseases & the Vaccines That Prevent Them.
      CDC links to learn about different vaccine-preventable diseases.
    3. For Parents: Vaccines for Your Children
      CDC links to vaccination schedule, overview of how vaccines are produced, reasons to vaccinate and information on vaccine ingredients, and safety and risk.
    4. National Infant Immunization Week Educational Materials
      CDC's educational resources and promotion, public relations and media tools for encouraging immunization.
    5. Vaccinate Your Baby
      Information and resources on infant vaccination.
    6. Vaccine Benefits
      Information from the National Institutes of Health on the benefits of vaccines.
  3. Provide educational materials to patients, parents and schools about the importance of immunization.
    1. CDC's Parents Guide to Immunizations
      Booklet teaches parents about the role vaccines play in keeping their children healthy.
    2. Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations
      Site educates parents on the importance of vaccines and which diseases they prevent, immunization schedules, and links to resources on making vaccination less stressful.
    3. Facts for Parents: Diseases & the Vaccines that Prevent Them
      CDC links to learn about different vaccine-preventable diseases.
    4. For Parents: Vaccines for Your Children
      Information from CDC includes vaccination schedule, overview of how vaccines are produced, reasons to vaccinate and information on vaccine ingredients, and safety and risk.
    5. National Infant Immunization Week Educational Materials
      Includes CDC's educational resources and promotion, public relations and media tools.
    6. NYS Department of Health Information on Immunizations for Child Care Programs, Schools and post-Secondary Institutions
      Includes school entry requirements and laws, foreign language terms related to vaccines and disease, recommendations for summer camps and school assessment surveys.
    7. Putting the Immunization Picture into Focus
      Provides scientifically supported answers to questions on vaccines and immunization.
    8. Vaccinate Your Baby
      Information and resources on infant vaccination.
    9. Vaccination FAQs
      Answers parents' questions about the safety of vaccines, including ingredients, side effects, and the harms of skipping or delaying.
    10. Give it a Shot! Toolkit for Nurses and Other Immunization Champions Working with Secondary Schools
      Toolkit for nurses and other immunization champions working with secondary schools.
  4. Work to increase the number of adults vaccinated during health care visits.
    1. CDC Adult Vaccination Resources for Health Care Professionals
      Resources for health care professionals and patients on adult vaccines.
    2. CDC Strategies for Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates
      Low-cost, easy-to-implement strategies and tools to increase adult vaccination rates. Each strategy includes a definition, advantages and disadvantages, steps for implementation, and studies documenting the strategy's effectiveness. Materials for each strategy are provided, with a reference list of the effectiveness studies.
    3. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines the procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
  5. Monitor the number of providers who immunize pregnant women and to other adults
    1. NYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
  6. Ensure strong immunization requirements for school entry.
    1. NYS Department of Health Information on Immunizations for Child Care Programs, Schools and post-Secondary Institutions
      Includes school entry requirements and laws, foreign language terms related to vaccines and disease, recommendations for summer camps and school assessment surveys.
  7. Improve efforts to educate patients, parents, children and schools about immunization and the importance of low exemption rates
    1. Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations
      Site educates parents on the importance of vaccines and which diseases they prevent, immunization schedules, and links to resources on making vaccination less stressful.
    2. NYS Department of Health Information on Immunizations for Child Care Programs, Schools and post-Secondary Institutions
      Includes school entry requirements and laws, foreign language terms related to vaccines and disease, recommendations for summer camps and school assessment surveys.
    3. Putting the Immunization Picture into Focus
      Find scientifically supported answers to questions on vaccines and immunization.
    4. Vaccination FAQs
      Answers questions parents may have about the safety of vaccines including ingredients, side effects, and the harms of skipping or delaying.
    5. Give it a Shot! Toolkit for Nurses and Other Immunization Champions Working with Secondary Schools
      Toolkit for nurses and other immunization champions working with secondary schools.
    6. Too Many Vaccines?
      American Academy of Pediatrics addresses parental concern over number of vaccines given to children.
    7. Common Vaccine Misperceptions and Concerns Explained
      American Academy of Pediatrics addresses parental concern over number of vaccines given to children.
    8. Common Vaccine Misperceptions and Concerns Explained
      NYSDOH information to clear confusion surrounding vaccines, addressing common misperceptions and concerns about vaccination that have arisen in recent years.
    9. Communicating with Parents About Vaccination: A Framework for Health Professionals
      Describes the importance of health professionals in maintaining public trust in vaccination; also identifies recommendations tailored to parents' specific positions on vaccination.
    10. Healy CM, Pickering LK. How to communicate with vaccine-hesitant parents. Pediatrics. 1 May 2011;127(S1):S127-S133
      For physicians.
    11. Herd Immunity
      Video that describes herd immunity and what would happen if exemption rates rose.
    12. If You Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child, Understand the Risks and Responsibilities
      CDC fact sheet outlines possible risks for parents who choose to delay or decline a vaccine; offers steps for parents to take to protect their child, family and others.
    13. Some Common Misconceptions about Vaccination and How to Respond to Them Addresses six misconceptions in literature about vaccination, with explanations of why they are incorrect.
  8. Offer immunizations in the birthing hospitals to parents, caregivers and families of newborns.
    1. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists. A Comprehensive Tool Kit, ACOG
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that includes various materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    2. Immunizing for Women
      National ACOG website has information and toolkits for immunizing women, including during pregnancy.
    3. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      A guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    4. Frequently Asked Questions for PHL 2805-h: Tdap in Newborn Nurseries
      Frequently asked questions about the law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns.
    5. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      Monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and literature to highlight practical strategies and includes examples of vaccination initiatives used by organizations to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
  9. Ensure that laws are implemented requiring hospitals to offer vaccinations to parents, caregivers and families of newborns.
    1. FAQs for PHL 2805-h: Tdap in Newborn Nurseries
      Frequently asked questions about the law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns.
    2. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines the procedures that eligible healthcare professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
    3. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      Monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and literature to highlight practical strategies and includes examples of vaccination initiatives used by organizations to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
  10. Reach out proactively to media outlets to educate them on immunization.
    1. National Infant Immunization Week Educational Materials
      CDC's educational resources and promotion, public relations and media tools for promoting immunization.
  11. Investigate, research and work to eliminate disparities in vaccination rates.
    1. NYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
    2. NewYS Vaccines for Children Program
      The program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.
    3. NYS Department of Health Information on Immunizations for Child Care Programs, Schools and post-Secondary Institutions
      Includes school entry requirements and laws, foreign language terms related to vaccines and disease, recommendations for summer camps and school assessment surveys.
  12. Analyze exemption rates by school and publish results by county.
    1. NYS Department of Health Information on Immunizations for Child Care Programs, Schools and post-Secondary Institutions
      Includes school entry requirements and laws, foreign language terms related to vaccines and disease, recommendations for summer camps and school assessment surveys.

Return to top of page

Goal #3 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Decrease the burden of pertussis disease.

  1. Educate parents, patients, health care providers and schools about the importance of vaccination against pertussis.
    1. Adult Immunizations, NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)
      Information for the general public on recommended vaccines for adults including fact sheets about diseases and recommended immunization schedule.
    2. Facts for Parents: Diseases & the Vaccines that Prevent Them
      CDC informational links to learn about different vaccine-preventable diseases.
    3. Herd Immunity
      Video that describes herd immunity and what would happen if exemption rates rose.
    4. If You Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child, Understand the Risks and Responsibilities
      CDC fact sheet outlines possible risks for parents who choose to delay or decline a vaccine; offers steps for parents to take to protect their child, family and others.
    5. Information on Pertussis Vaccine for Adults
      Information for adults on whooping cough, who should receive a vaccination and why.
    6. FAQs for PHL 2805-h: Tdap in Newborn Nurseries
      Frequently asked questions about the law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns.
    7. Pertussis fact sheet
      Fact sheet on pertussis from the NYS Department of Health.
    8. Putting the Immunization Picture into Focus
      Find the scientifically supported answers to your questions on vaccines and immunization on this Web site.
    9. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      Monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and published literature to highlight practical strategies and includes examples of vaccination initiatives that organizations have used to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
    10. Vaccine Benefits
      Information from the National Institutes of Health on the benefits of vaccines.
    11. Vaccines for Health Care Personnel
      Site is dedicated to ensuring that health care personnel in New York State are aware of the vaccination requirements under state law, with links to program resources and additional information.
    12. Pertussis fact sheet
      NYSDOH fact sheet on pertussis.
    13. Information on Pertussis Vaccine for Adults
      Information for adults on whooping cough, who should receive a vaccination and why.
    14. Pertussis vaccination videos
    15. Immunization Action Coalition.
      Resources and information for pertussis (whooping cough) disease and vaccination.
    16. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists A Comprehensive Tool Kit, ACOG.
      Toolkit, developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, includes various materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations, guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    17. Immunization Action Coalition
      Updated ACIP recommendations for use of acellular pertussis vaccines.
  2. Enhance vaccination of adults with Tdap.
    1. American College of Physicians (ACP) Guide to Adult Immunization
      Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the ACP Guide to Adult Immunization will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in your day-to-day practice.
    2. CDC Adult Vaccination Resources for Health Care Professionals
      Resources for health care professionals and patients on adult vaccines.
    3. CDC Guidelines for Vaccinating Pregnant Women
    4. CDC Strategies for Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates
      Low-cost, easy-to-implement strategies and tools to increase adult vaccination rates. Each strategy includes a definition, advantages and disadvantages, steps for implementation, and studies documenting effectiveness. Materials for each strategy are provided, with a reference list of the effectiveness studies.
    5. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
      A committee opinion from ACOG on integrating immunizations into obstetrics and gynecology office practice.
    6. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    7. Immunizing for Women
      ACOG website has information and toolkits for immunizing women, including during pregnancy.
    8. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      A guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    9. Information on Pertussis Vaccine for Adults
      Information for adults on whooping cough, who should receive a vaccination and why.
    10. FAQs for PHL 2805-h: Tdap in Newborn Nurseries
      Frequently asked questions about the law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns.
    11. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines the procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
    12. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      Monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and literature to highlight practical strategies, including examples of initiatives used by organizations to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
  3. Ensure that the law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns is implemented and enforced.
    1. FAQs for PHL 2805-h: Tdap in Newborn Nurseries
      Frequently asked questions about New York's law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns.
    2. Immunizing for Women
      National ACOG website has information and toolkits for immunizing women, including during pregnancy.
    3. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      Monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and published literature to highlight practical strategies and includes examples of vaccination initiatives that organizations have used to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
  4. Investigate, research and work to eliminate disparities in vaccination rates.
    1. NYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
    2. NYS Vaccines for Children Program
      Program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.

Return to top of page

Goal #4 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Decrease the burden of influenza disease.

  1. Enhance vaccination of adults with influenza vaccine.
    1. CDC Strategies for Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates
      Low-cost, easy-to-implement strategies and tools to increase adult vaccination rates. Each strategy includes a definition, advantages and disadvantages, steps for implementation, and studies documenting effectiveness. Materials that for each strategy are provided, with a reference list of the effectiveness studies.
    2. Committee opinion prepared jointly by ACOG and CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
    3. NYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
    4. Pharmacists' Standing Orders for Administering Influenza Vaccine to Adults
      NYSDOH Community Guide Recommendation for Standing Orders.
    5. Seasonal Flu Information for Businesses and Employers
      CDC-compiled toolkit, flyers, posters and other materials for educating businesses, employers and employees on strategies for preventing the flu.
    6. Vaccines for Health Care Personnel
      Webpage is dedicated to ensuring that health care personnel in New York are aware of the vaccination requirements under State law, with links to program resources and additional information.
    7. Make It Your Business To Fight The Flu
      Webpage offers a look at the impact that influenza can have on the workplace and provides information on the best practices for on-site flu immunization programs, a toolkit, and other resources.
  2. Consider alternate distribution methods for vaccines to ensure that health care providers have adequate supply.
    1. Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS)
      Developed to address difficulties health care providers may experience when trying to determine which wholesale distributors or manufacturers have seasonal influenza vaccine in stock for sale or on order.
  3. Increase adult immunization rates.
    1. Health Care Facility Influenza Immunization Toolkit
      NYS Department of Health has compiled these resources to help health care facilities implement effective influenza immunization programs for their staff. Toolkit contains information to explain the  science on the importance of vaccinating health care providers against influenza, and tools to assist in ordering, storing and administering influenza vaccines for staff as well as adult patients.
  4. Ensure that law requiring hospitals to offer influenza vaccine to families of newborns is implemented and enforced.
    1. Requirements for Offering Influenza Vaccination to Parents and Anticipated Caregivers of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Patients
  5. Investigate, research and work to eliminate disparities in vaccination rates.
    1. National Influenza Vaccination Disparities Partnership (NIVDP)
      CDC's NIVDP is a national multi-sector campaign, spearheaded by local influential partners who commit to promote the importance of flu vaccination among underserved populations.
  6. Provide immunizations for adolescents in schools.
    1. NYS Vaccines for Children Program
      Program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.
    2. Vaccination Resources for School-Located Vaccination
      Compilation of toolkits, campaign materials and other resources to organize a school-located vaccination clinic as a way to improve access and uptake of vaccines.

Return to top of page

Goal #5 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Decrease the burden of disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

  1. Educate the public and providers on the importance of HPV vaccine.
    1. American College of Physicians (ACP) Guide to Adult Immunization
      Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the guide will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in your day-to-day practice.
    2. Adult Immunizations, NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)
      Information for the public on recommended vaccines for adults including fact sheets about diseases and recommended immunization schedule.
    3. Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations, NYSDOH
      Site teaches parents about the importance of vaccines and which diseases they prevent, immunization schedules, and links to resources to make the vaccination process less stressful.
    4. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
      Evidence-based recommendations for three commonly administered immunizations.
    5. Communicating With Parents About Vaccination: A Framework for Health Professionals
      Describes the importance of health professionals in maintaining public trust in vaccination. Also identifies recommendations tailored to parents' specific positions on vaccination.
    6. Facts for Parents: Diseases & the Vaccines that Prevent Them
      CDC information about different vaccine-preventable diseases.
    7. Give Your Child a Better Shot at Life - Vaccinate for HPV! Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
      Answers questions about HPV and the vaccine, with fact sheets and videos explaining HPV and why families chose to vaccinate.
    8. Healy CM, Pickering LK. How to communicate with vaccine-hesitant parents. Pediatrics. 1 May 2011;127(S1):S127-S133
      For physicians.
    9. HPV also known as Human Papillomavirus
      CDC handout for parents.
    10. HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens
      Information on HPV and CDC's recommendations for vaccination.
    11. Human Papillomavirus (HPV, genital or venereal warts)
      NYS Department of Health site answers general questions on HPV.
    12. Immunization - Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
      Information on HPV and immunization for pediatricians to share with parents and teens.
    13. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists. A Comprehensive Tool Kit, ACOG
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that includes various materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    14. Tips and Time-Savers for Talking with Parents About HPV Vaccine
      CDC tips on how to talk to parents about the HPV vaccine.
    15. Vaccination FAQs
      NYSDOH answers questions about the safety of vaccines, including ingredients, side effects, and the harms of skipping or delaying.
    16. Information for Health Care Professionals about Adolescent Vaccines
      Provides information for health care professional on Tdap, HPV, meningococcal and influenza vaccines for adolescents, as well as recommendations on how to ensure your adolescent patients are fully vaccinated.
  2. Enhance vaccination of adults with HPV vaccine.
    1. American College of Physicians (ACP) Guide to Adult Immunization
      Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the ACP Guide to Adult Immunization will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in your day-to-day practice.
    2. CDC Adult Vaccination Resources for Health Care Professionals
      Resources for health care professionals and patients on adult vaccines.
    3. CDC Strategies for Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates
      Low-cost, easy-to-implement strategies and tools to increase adult vaccination rates. Each strategy includes a definition, advantages and disadvantages, steps for implementation, and studies documenting its effectiveness. Materials for each strategy are provided, with a reference list of the effectiveness studies.
    4. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
    5. Immunization - Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
      Information on HPV and immunization for pediatricians to share with parents and teens.
    6. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists A Comprehensive Tool Kit, ACOG
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    7. Immunizing for Women
      ACOG Update on Zika Virus
    8. Immunizations and Routine Obstetric-Gynecologic Care: A Guide for Providers and Patients
      Provides practical information and needed resources for administering immunizations in a practice.
    9. NYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
    10. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      NYS Department of health outlines procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
    11. CDC Handout for Parents About HPV
    12. HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens
      Information on HPV and recommendations for vaccination from CDC.
    13. Human Papillomavirus (HPV, genital or venereal warts)
      NYS Department of Health answers general questions on HPV.
    14. Immunization - Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
      Information for pediatricians to share with parents and teens.
    15. Tips and Time-Savers for Talking with Parents About HPV Vaccine
      CDC's tips on how to talk to parents about the HPV vaccine.
  3. Make HPV vaccine available in family planning, STD treatment and other primary care settings.
    1. American College of Physicians (ACP) Guide to Adult Immunization
      Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the ACP Guide to Adult Immunization will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in your day-to-day practice.
    2. CDC Adult Vaccination Resources for Health Care Professionals
      CDC advice for clinicians on HPV vaccine.
    3. CDC Strategies for Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates
      Low-cost, easy-to-implement strategies and tools to increase adult vaccination rates. Each strategy includes a definition, advantages and disadvantages, steps for implementation, and studies documenting its effectiveness. Materials for each strategy are provided, with a reference list of the effectiveness studies.
    4. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
    5. Immunization - Human Papillomavirus (HPV), AAP
      Information on HPV and immunization for pediatricians to share with parents and teens.
    6. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists. A Comprehensive Tool Kit, ACOG
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    7. Immunizing for Women
      ACOG website has information and toolkits for immunizing women, including during pregnancy.
    8. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      Guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    9. NYS Vaccines for Children Program
      Program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.
    10. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
    11. Information for Health Care Professionals about Adolescent Vaccines
      CDC information for health care professionals on Tdap, HPV, meningococcal and influenza vaccines for adolescents, as well as recommendations on how to ensure your adolescent patients are fully vaccinated.
  4. Investigate, research and work to eliminate disparities in vaccination rates.
    1. NYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
    2. NYS Vaccines for Children Program
      Program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.

Return to top of page

Goal #6 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Increase adult immunizations.

  1. Educate the public and providers on the importance of HPV vaccine.
    1. American College of Physicians (ACP) Guide to Adult Immunization
      Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the guide will help you develop systematic processes to incorporate immunization in your day-to-day practice.
    2. Adult Immunizations, NYS Department of Health
      Information for the public on recommended vaccines for adults, including fact sheets about diseases and recommended immunization schedule.
    3. Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations, NYSDOH
      Site educates parents on the importance of vaccines and which diseases they prevent, immunization schedules, and links to resources on making vaccination less stressful.
    4. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
      Evidence-based recommendations for three commonly administered immunizations.
    5. Communicating With Parents About Vaccination: A Framework for Health Professionals
      Describes the importance of health professionals in maintaining public trust in vaccination. Also identifies recommendations tailored to parents' specific positions on vaccination.
    6. Facts for Parents: Diseases & the Vaccines that Prevent Them
      CDC links to learn about vaccine-preventable diseases.
    7. Questions and Answers About HPV and the Vaccine! Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
      Answers questions about HPV and the vaccine; provides fact sheets videos on the importance of HPV and why families chose to vaccinate.
    8. Healy CM, Pickering LK. How to communicate with vaccine-hesitant parents. Pediatrics. 1 May 2011;127(S1):S127-S133
      For physicians.
    9. CDC's HPV Handout for Parents
      Information about HPV vaccine.
    10. HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens
      CDC information on HPV and recommendations for vaccination. Links to other information.
    11. Human Papillomavirus (HPV, genital or venereal warts)
      NYSDOH answers general questions on HPV disease.
    12. Immunization - Human Papillomavirus (HPV), AAP
      Resources on HPV and immunization for pediatricians to share with parents and teens.
    13. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists. A Comprehensive Tool Kit, ACOG
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    14. Tips and Time-Savers for Talking with Parents about HPV Vaccine
      CDC's tips on how to talk to parents about the HPV vaccine.
    15. Vaccination FAQs
      NYSDOH answers parents' questions about the safety of vaccines, including ingredients, side effects, and the harms of skipping or delaying.
    16. CDC Information for Health Care Professionals about Adolescent Vaccines
      Provides information for health care professionals on Tdap, HPV, meningococcal and influenza vaccines for adolescents, as well as recommendations on how to ensure your adolescent patients are fully vaccinated.
  2. Increase the number of adult providers, including OB/GYNs, who offer HPV, Tdap, influenza and pneumococcal immunizations.
    1. American College of Physicians (ACP) Guide to Adult Immunization
      Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the ACP Guide to Adult Immunization will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in your day-to-day practice.
    2. CDC Adult Vaccination Resources for Health Care Professionals
      Resources for health care professionals and patients on adult vaccines.
    3. CDC Guidelines for Vaccinating Pregnant Women
      ACP Guidance for Vaccine Recommendations in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women.
    4. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
      Evidence-based recommendations for three commonly administered immunizations.
    5. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      Guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    6. Pharmacists' Standing Orders for Administering Influenza Vaccine to Adults
      NYSDOH outlines procedures that certified pharmacist immunizers should follow when vaccinating adults against influenza.
    7. Seasonal Flu Information for Businesses and Employers
      CDC-compiled toolkit, flyers, posters and other materials for educating businesses, employers and employees on strategies for preventing the flu.
    8. Workplace Immunization
      Site looks at the impact that influenza can have on the workplace and provides information on the best practices for on-site flu immunization programs, a toolkit and other resources.
  3. Enhance vaccination of adults with HPV, Tdap, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.
    1. Adult Vaccination Information for Healthcare and Public Health Professionals
      Information and tools to help you and your practice stay up-to-date on vaccination standards and practices.
    2. CDC Strategies for Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates
      Low-cost, easy-to-implement strategies and tools to increase adult vaccination rates. Each strategy includes a definition, advantages and disadvantages, steps for implementation, and studies documenting its effectiveness. Materials for each strategy are provided, with a reference list of the effectiveness studies.
    3. Health Care Facility Influenza Immunization Toolkit
      This NYS Department of Health toolkit can help health care facilities implement effective influenza immunization programs for their staff. Toolkit contains information to help explain the solid science on the importance of vaccinating health care providers against influenza. It also contains tools to assist in ordering, storing, and administering influenza vaccines for staff as well as your adult patients.
    4. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists. A Comprehensive Tool Kit from ACOG
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    5. Immunizing for Women
      ACOG website has information and toolkits for immunizing women, including during pregnancy.
    6. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      Guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    7. Pharmacists' Standing Orders for Administering Influenza Vaccine to Adults
      NYS Department of Health's Community Guide Recommendation on Standing Orders.
    8. Pneumococcal Disease Professional Practice Toolkit
      Materials designed as ready-to-use resources to educate adult patients about pneumococcal disease.
    9. Pneumococcal Disease Public Health Resources & Toolkit
      New toolkit includes materials to educate health care professionals and community members about the importance of pneumococcal prevention for adults most at-risk for the disease.
    10. Seasonal Flu Information for Businesses and Employers
      CDC-compiled toolkit, flyers, posters and other materials for educating businesses, employers and employees on strategies for preventing the flu.
    11. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      NYS Department of Health outlines the procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
    12. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      Monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and literature to highlight practical strategies, including initiatives used by organizations to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
    13. Vaccines for Health Care Personnel
      NYS Department of Health  site is dedicated to ensuring that health care personnel in New York State are aware of the vaccination requirements under State law, with links to program resources and information.
    14. Workplace Immunization
      Site looks at the impact that influenza can have on the workplace and provides information on the best practices for on-site flu immunization programs, a toolkit, and other resources.
  4. Increase the number of hospitals that offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns (including post-partum mothers).
    1. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists. A Comprehensive Tool Kit
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements, and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    2. Immunization for Women
      ACOG site has information and toolkits for immunizing women, including during pregnancy.
    3. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      Guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    4. FAQS About PHL 2805-h: Tdap in Newborn Nurseries
      NYS Department of Health answers frequently asked questions about law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns.
    5. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      Monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and literature to highlight practical strategies, including examples of initiatives used by organizations to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
  5. Make HPV vaccine available in family planning, STD treatment and other primary care settings.
    1. American College of Physicians (ACP) Guide to Adult Immunization
      Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the guide will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in your day-to-day practice.
    2. CDC Adult Vaccination Resources for Health Care Professionals
      Resources for health care professionals and patients on adult vaccines.
    3. CDC Strategies for Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates
      Low-cost and easy-to-implement strategies and tools to increase adult vaccination rates. Each strategy includes a definition, advantages and disadvantages, steps for implementation, and studies documenting its effectiveness. Materials for each strategy are provided with a reference list of the effectiveness studies.
    4. Committee Opinion on Integrating Immunizations into Practice, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
      Evidence-based recommendation for three commonly administered immunizations by OB-GYNs.
    5. Human Papillomavirus
      Information on HPV and immunization for pediatricians to share with parents and teens.
    6. Immunization Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists: A Comprehensive Toolkit
      Toolkit developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists includes materials to help doctors and staff communicate with patients about the importance of receiving recommended immunizations; guidance, resources and tools on how to incorporate immunizations into routine OB/GYN care, including standing orders, immunization cards, fact sheets, scripts for discussing vaccinations with patients, Vaccine Information Statements; and guidance on billing and coding for immunizations.
    7. Immunization for Women
      ACOG site has information and toolkits for immunizing women, including during pregnancy.
    8. Incorporating Vaccines into Routine Care, ACOG District II
      Guide for OB-GYNs and their partners on incorporating routine vaccinations for patients into their practice. Includes communications strategies, Vaccine Information Statements, tools to prepare to introduce immunizations into your OB/GYN practice, and information on meaningful use and NYS and NYC immunization registries.
    9. NYS Vaccines for Children Program
      Program helps provide eligible children in New York State with vaccines at no cost for the vaccine to the children or their parents or guardians.
    10. Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines
      Outlines the procedures that eligible health care professionals should follow when vaccinating patients.
    11. Information for Health Care Professionals about Adolescent Vaccines
      Provides information for health care professional on Tdap, HPV, meningococcal and influenza vaccines for adolescents, as well as recommendations on how to ensure your adolescent patients are fully vaccinated.
  6. Increase the number of doses given by hospitals to families and caregivers of newborns.
    1. FAQs for PHL 2805-h: Tdap in Newborn Nurseries
      NYS Department of Health answers frequently asked questions about the law requiring hospitals to offer Tdap to families and caregivers of newborns.
    2. NYSDOH Requirements for Offering influenza Vaccination to Parents and Anticipated Caregivers of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Patients
    3. DOH requirements for offering influenza vaccination to parents and anticipated caregivers of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients.
    4. Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adolescents and Adults, Including Health Care Personnel
      Monograph incorporates evidence-based guidelines and literature to highlight practical strategies, including examples of initiatives used by organizations to establish or enhance Tdap vaccination programs.
  7. Investigate, research and work to eliminate disparities in vaccination rates.
    1. NYS Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
      Site describes the goals and benefits of the immunization information system, with links to pages on training; information for providers, parents/guardians and patients, schools and child care programs; and laws and regulations related to the system.
    2. Pneumococcal Disease Professional Practice Toolkit
      These materials are designed as ready-to-use resources to educate adult patients about pneumococcal disease.

Return to top of page

Focus Area 3 - Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections

Goal #1 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Reduce Clostridium difficile infections.

  1. General resources on how to reduce Clostridium difficile infections.
    1. Guide to the Elimination of Clostridium difficile in Health Care Settings
      Document reflects the evolving practices and discoveries in the prevention of Clostridium difficile transmission and infection.
    2. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults
      CDC guideline is designed to improve the diagnosis and management of Clostridium difficile infection in adult patients, as well as present recommendations for infection control methods and environmental management of the pathogen based on the best evidence and practices.
    3. Healthcare Associated Infections Prevention Toolkits
      CDC toolkit includes baseline prevention practices assessment tool for monitoring progress in reducing Clostridium difficile infections.
    4. Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings
      CDC document is intended for infection control staff, health care epidemiologists, health care administrators, nurses, other health care providers, and persons responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating infection control programs for health care settings across the continuum of care.
  2. Ensure adequate cleaning and disinfection of patient care rooms and medical equipment.
    1. EPA's Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Clostridium difficile Spores
      Lists antimicrobial cleaners and other products that are effective against Clostridium difficile spores.
    2. CDC Environmental Checklist for Monitoring Terminal Cleaning
      Ensure proper cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and accountability by following this checklist of priority sites and equipment for each patient room.
    3. Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities
      CDC's evidence-based recommendations on cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of patient-care medical devices and for cleaning and disinfecting the health care environment.
    4. CDC's Healthcare-Associated Infections: Recovery Act, Options for Evaluating Environmental Cleaning
      Describes a two-tier program which hospitals may consider to reduce the rates of infection caused by healthcare acquired pathogens.
    5. Otter JA, Yezli S, Perl TM, Barbut F, French GL. The role of ‘no-touch’ automated room disinfection systems in infection prevention and control. J Hosp Infect. 2013;83:1-13.
      Available through Dickerman and NYS Library.
      This article describes “no-touch” disinfection systems that can be used in hospitals to reduce the spread of infections, including Clostridium difficile.
    6. Not Just a Maid Service
      This 15-minute video illustrates strategies to engage environmental service workers to meet the challenge of reducing Clostridium difficile infections by 20 percent in 18 months.
  3. Institute antimicrobial stewardship programs that might decrease patients' exposure to antibiotics
    1. CDC's Implementing and Improving Stewardship Efforts
      Presents tools and guidelines for instituting and maintaining successful antimicrobial stewardship programs.
  4. Publicize the dangers of overuse and improper use of antibiotics. Advise patients to take antibiotics only as prescribed by a physician.
    1. CDC's Clostridium difficile Infection
      Information for patients with flyers for educating patients on preventing the spread of C. difficile and the importance of proper use of antibiotics as prescribed by doctors.
    2. CDC's Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work campaign
      Includes PSAs and online and print materials in English and Spanish to educate patients on proper use of antibiotics.
  5. Educate patients and visitors about the importance of handwashing.
    1. CDC's Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
      Provides promotional materials to help educate patients and visitors on the importance of proper hand hygiene and illustrates proper handwashing procedure.
  6. Ensure health care personnel wear gowns and gloves when entering rooms of patients with Clostridium difficile infection
    1. CDC recommendations for clinicians.
  7. Monitor and enforce hand hygiene and contact precaution adherence by health care personnel.
    1. CDC's Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
      Includes educational resources geared toward health care personnel; training tools; and a measurement guide for adherence to hand hygiene protocols.
    2. WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care
      World Health Organization guidelines and educational materials for health care workers, hospital administrators and health authorities to help improve hand hygiene adherence by health care personnel. Includes interventions and their effectiveness (pp. 68-71) and factors for improved compliance (pp. 75-77, 89-145 and 152-156).
    3. WHO Tools for Hand Hygiene Improvement
      Suite of tools to support health-care facilities in implementing a multimodal strategy to improve hand hygiene practices among health-care workers.

Return to top of page

Goal #2 (Action Plan)(Dashboard):
Reduce multidrug-resistant organisms infection.

  1. General resources on how to reduce multidrug-resistant organism infections.
    1. Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings
      Document for use by infection control staff, health care epidemiologists, health care administrators, nurses, other health care providers, and persons responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating infection control programs for health care settings across the continuum of care.
  2. Educate patients and visitors about the importance of handwashing.
    1. CDC's Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
      Information and educational materials aimed at patients on the importance of handwashing and alcohol-based hand rubs.
  3. Monitor and enforce hand hygiene and contact precaution adherence by health care personnel.
    1. CDC's Hand hygiene in Healthcare Settings
      Information and educational materials geared at health care personnel on the importance of handwashing and alcohol-based hand rubs.
    2. CDC Healthcare-associated Infections (HAIs), Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection
      Tools for measuring hand hygiene adherence by health care personnel.
  4. Institute cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.
    1. Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities
      CDC's in-depth guidelines for environmental infection control.
    2. CDC Environmental Checklist for Monitoring Terminal Cleaning
      Checklist to ensure cleaning and disinfection protocols are followed.
    3. CDC Healthcare-Associated Infections: Recovery Act, Options for Evaluating Environmental Cleaning
      Resource on how to develop programs that optimize the thoroughness of high-touch surface cleaning as part of terminal room cleaning at the time of discharge or transfer of patients.
  5. Implement surveillance for multidrug-resistant organisms, using CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network to define the baseline and detect changes.
    1. Surveillance for C. difficile, MRSA, and other drug-resistant infections
      Presents CDC protocols, data collection forms, training, and other resources for the surveillance of drug-resistant infections.

Return to top of page

Goal #3 (Action Plan)(Dashboard): Reduce device-associated infections.

  1. Consider using chlorhexidine for daily skin cleansing.
  2. General resources to help reduce non-ICU central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs).
    1. CDC Healthcare-associated Infections (HAIs), Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection
      Guidelines and tools to help end CLABSIs.
    2. Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections
      From CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.
    3. Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections
      Checklist of steps to follow to prevent CLABSIs.
    4. Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) in Non-Intensive Care Unit (non-ICU) Settings Toolkit
      CDC guidelines on preventing CLASBIs in non-ICU settings.
    5. CLABSI Baseline Prevention Practices Assessment Tool
      A CDC questionnaire to establish CLABSI control efforts, where continuous usage can be used to track progress and changes.
  3. General resources to help reduce non-ICU catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)
    1. CDC Healthcare-associated Infections (HAIs), Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections
      Resources for patients and health care providers on prevention and monitoring CAUTIs and toolkits to reduce these infections.
    2. CDC guideline for Prevention of Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections
      Guidelines from CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.
    3. Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) Toolkit
      CDC presentation which identifies evidence-based risk factors for CAUTI and prevention strategies.
    4. CAUTI Baseline Prevention Practices Assessment Tool
      Questionnaire to evaluate the status of CAUTI control efforts and how the continuous usage of such efforts can be used to track progress and changes.
    5. CDC guideline for Prevention of Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections

Return to top of page