Infection Prevention is a vital part of South County Health's daily practices.

The Infection Prevention & Control department performs a wide variety of surveillance for South County Health and the community, including:

  • Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)
  • Clostridium Difficile Infections (CDI)
  • Surgical Site Infections (SSI)
  • Device-Associated Infections
  • Influenza Vaccination Rates
  • Hand Hygiene Compliance

To help keep patients, visitors, and staff healthy, we have an Infection Control Committee that is comprised of the Infection Control (IC) team, physicians/surgeons, IC nurse liaisons from each unit, and various ancillary members.


The Importance of Hand Hygiene

Hand Hygiene is a pivotal component of the Infection Prevention and Control program at South County Health. We monitor hand hygiene compliance rate using direct observation and real-time reporting, including patient perspectives through the Press Ganey Survey.

Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)

We work diligently on our “best practice guidelines” for each patient’s safety in preventing surgical site infections. Our target goal is zero infections and we frequently compare ourselves to national benchmarks.

Device Associated Infections

We have a multidisciplinary team monitor compliance with best practices to prevent infections related to medical devices such as central lines, foley catheters and ventilators.

Endoscopy Unit

Infection Prevention along with our Endoscopy Department has maintained vigilance with evidence-based best practices for scope disinfection, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control. We provide our patients with the most effective, the safest type of cleaning possible.


Antibiotic Stewardship

Our Antimicrobial stewardship team meets on a monthly basis to monitor appropriate antibiotic use as a means to prevent hospital associated infections such as Clostridium Difficile. We are working together with the physicians and pharmacists to continually update our antimicrobial stewardship practices.

Ultra-Violet Disinfection

With the partnership of the Hospital's Environmental Services team (EVS), we enhanced our environmental hygiene program to include UV disinfection in both our Operating rooms and certain isolation rooms. This “rapid” disinfector provides fast and safe disinfection.

We also purchased UV sanitizing boxes where staff and visitors can disinfect cell phones, tablets, and more. These boxes are located in the cafeteria.

Monitoring Emerging pathogens or Risk:

As part of our Infection Prevention and Control Program, our team works to monitor new and emerging pathogens and are prepared to respond in real time to ensure safety of our patients, staff and visitors.

Strictest Infection Control Measures in Place

  • Designated negative pressure isolation rooms located away from other patient care areas. Anyone suspected of being COVID-positive is moved to these rooms while we await testing results. This limits the potential spread of the virus.
  • COVID-19 screenings of symptomatic patients including in-house laboratory testing with two hour turnaround time.
  • Visitor restrictions.
  • Mandatory COVID-19 screenings for all patients, caretakers, and healthcare workers.
  • Oversight by Infection Prevention specialists who review all processes to ensure the highest level of safety.
  • Required face coverings for all patients and visitors.
  • Staff wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment including masks, face shields, gowns, shoe coverings, and even full-body coverings in certain areas.