Infection Control

Infection control is an essential component of any health care delivery. Infection control measures can be as simple as hand washing and as sophisticated as high-level disinfection of surgical instruments. Implementing these measures can prevent transmission of disease in health care settings and the community.

Infection control is a key concept in achieving the New York State Department of Health mission to protect and promote the health of New Yorkers through prevention, science and the assurance of quality health care delivery.

• Infection Control (Nosocomial) Report Form - DOH-4018 (PDF)

Hot Topics

• Candida auris
  • Get the Facts about Candida auris
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  • Health Advisory: Update to Healthcare Facilities Regarding Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris in New York State - 8/30/2022
• Legionellosis (Legionnaires' Disease)
• Health Advisory: Safe Use of Insulin Pens - 3/25/2013 (PDF)
• MMWR - Invasive Staphylococcus aureus Infections Associated with Pain Injections and Reuse of Single-Dose Vials — Arizona and Delaware, 2012" (CDC)
• 2012 CRE Toolkit - Guidance for Control of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) (CDC)
• Guidance for Control of Infections with Carbapenem-resistant or Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Acute Care Facilities (CDC, 2009)
• Use of Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP; 2011)
• Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings: Minimum Expectations for Safe Care (CDC, 2011)
• Health Advisory: Preventing Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens during Diabetes Care Procedures and Techniques- 2/11/2011
• Injection Safety - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010)
• One and Only Campaign-New York State Site (2011)
• NYS 2010-2011 Influenza Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities
• Infection Control Training Changes and Updates
• Infection Control Letter to Physicians and Key Infection Control Points
  • Infection Control Letter
  • Key Infection Control Practices in Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Care Settings
• GI Advisory (PDF)

Alerts, Advisories and Press Releases

Alerts and advisories are distributed to notify practitioners of the emergence of atypical pathogens, important changes in management of disease, or in the event of outbreaks of community or health care facility illness. This information can assist infection control practitioners and other health care providers in monitoring, identifying and controlling an outbreak.

• Current Alerts and Advisories

Prevention and Control Guidelines

The NYSDOH, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other organizations have established guidelines to prevent the transmission of disease. This page contains the most current guidelines and recommendations, reporting requirements, and contact information for New York State Department of Health regulated facilities and other health care practices.

• Prevention Control Guidelines

Health Care Provider Infection Control Training

In August 1992, legislation was passed establishing a requirement that certain health care professionals must receive training on infection control and barrier precautions every four years upon renewal of their license. Certain professionals can apply to become providers of infection control training. In August 2008, legislation was passed requiring certain changes be made to the training curriculum, the training process, and those requiring training.

• Health Care Provider Infection Control Training

Reporting Requirements

This section outlines the communicable disease reporting responsibilities of NYS-regulated (Article 28) and non-regulated facilities and providers.

• Reporting Requirements

Educational Materials

The NYSDOH, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other organizations have developed numerous educational materials for NYSDOH regulated facilities and other health care providers. Such materials can be used to teach infection control measures to health care personnel and the public to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

• Educational Materials

Contact Us

Questions about infection prevention and control and communicable disease reporting can be directed to the following:

• For Article 28 facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, and diagnostic and treatment centers), contact your NYSDOH Regional Epidemiologist
• For all others (including private medical and dental practices), contact your Local Health Department

You may also contact the NYSDOH Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control Program by email at icp@health.ny.gov.