Please note this newsletter applies to ALL QUAD A programs.
As the waves of COVID-19 infections flow in and out of your community, it is essential to remember that basic infection control strategies continue to be the solid foundation for keeping your patients and staff healthy. As you may recall, all QUAD A COVID-19-related standards were discontinued on May 31, 2023. Each QUAD A facility should have COVID-19 prevention strategies outlined in the facility policies and procedures, infection control program, and written exposure plans. These strategies should be based minimally on the guidelines set by your local and state health authorities and those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These CDC resources may be helpful:
- Infection Control Guidance: SARS-CoV-2
- Operational Considerations for Infection Prevention and Control in Outpatient Facilities: Non-U.S. Healthcare Settings
While significant strides have been made in combating COVID-19, it remains a problem in outpatient healthcare facilities due to transmission risks, changing public health guidelines, patient hesitancy, and the critical role of vaccination. By addressing these challenges through strict infection control practices, adaptable operational protocols, patient education, and vaccination efforts, outpatient facilities can continue to provide essential healthcare services while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Do you have a QUAD A standards questions? Please email your question to standards@quada.org.
Please keep these important dates in mind as our standards overhaul project continues to make progress:
- Posted for Public Comment: October 30, 2024
- Public Comments Due: November 29, 2024
- Full Implementation: March 28, 2025
Since 1980, QUAD A (a non-profit, physician-founded and led global accreditation organization) has worked with thousands of healthcare facilities to standardize and improve the quality of healthcare they provide – believing that patient safety should always come first.
