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Health Care-Associated Infections

Reporting Health Care-Associated Infections

Reporting Concerns about Infection Control in Medical Facilities

Early reporting of concerns about infection control in medical facilities can help prevent outbreaks of health care-associated infections.

  • If you are concerned about unsafe or improper infection control practices at a medical facility, please file a complaint with the New York State Center for Consumer Health Care Information
  • To report possible misconduct by a physician, physician assistant, or specialist assistant, contact The Office of Professional Medical Conduct to file a complaint.

Infection Prevention in Outpatient Settings

Infection Prevention in Long-Term Care Settings

  • The CDC's Long-term Care website provides links to infection control guidance and resources for clinicians, infection prevention coordinators, and residents of long-term care facilities.

Hospital-Acquired Infections

Hospital-acquired infections are overseen by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). For more information, please visit the NYSDOH Hospital-Acquired Infection website.

Safe Injection Practices

Safe injection practices prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens.

  • Needles and syringes should be used only once. They should never be used for more than one patient. Never use a previously-used needle or syringe to access a medication vial, and never leave a needle or spike in a medication vial for easy access of syringes.
  • Single-dose vials and IV bags are to be used for only one patient. They should never be shared among multiple patients.
  • Use single-dose vials whenever possible.
  • If multi-dose vials must be used for more than one patient, draw up medication in a clean central location, away from patient care areas.
  • Never use a saline bag for multiple patients.
  • Resources:

Safe Glucose Monitoring

  • Never share fingerstick devices or insulin pens or reuse lancets.
  • Whenever possible, do not share glucometers. Assign each patient a separate glucometer and label it with their name.
    • If a glucometer must be used for multiple patients, clean and disinfect it after every use according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Safe Food Practices in Health Care Settings

  • Hospitals serve food to vulnerable populations at high risk for complications from foodborne illnesses. Outbreaks of listeriosis and other foodborne illness have occurred.
    • For example, pregnant women, the elderly, and patients immunocompromised from chemotherapy are especially at risk for Listeria.
  • Infection control practitioners should be aware of the risks of foodborne illness among hospitalized patients and should consider implementing food service policies to minimize patients' exposure to foodborne pathogens.
  • Helpful Links:

Publications Describing Health Care-Associated Hepatitis B and C Outbreaks in NYC

Preventing Transmission from Health Care Personnel Infected with Bloodborne Pathogens

Publications Describing Non-Hepatitis Health Care-Associated Outbreaks in NYC

Resources for Clinicians Affected by Substance Abuse