Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR)

The Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) program offers health care facilities the opportunity to participate in a consultative review of infection prevention practices. 

ICAR visits include:
  • Hand hygiene
  • Isolation procedures
  • Environmental cleaning
  • Employee safety
  • Antimicrobial stewardship
  • Injection safety
  • High-level disinfection and sterilization practices
  • Surveillance activities

Schedule an ICAR visit

ICAR visits are:
  • Designed to assess infection prevention strengths and opportunities on a variety of infection control topics.
  • Offered at no cost.
  • Conducted by infection preventionists from Clark County Public Health.
  • Performed in a variety of health care settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care, outpatient, dialysis, dental).
  • Focused on education and offer the most up-to-date infection prevention resources to participating health care facilities.
Facilities will gain:
  • An in-person or virtual assessment that is consultative and non-regulatory, lasting approximately 2-4 hours.
  • Tailored resources, tools, and training.
  • Ongoing consultation with an infection preventionist from Clark County Public Health.
  • A sustainable partnership for ongoing improvement.
  • A certificate of completion endorsed by Clark County Public Health and the Washington State Department of Health.

To view a sampling of the great resources provided during ICAR assessments, check out the all-in-one Infection Prevention Resources for Healthcare Facilities

Frequently asked questions

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ICAR are free and non-regulatory. 

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Facility assessments are not shared with any regulatory agencies unless an egregious violation is observed. 

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ICARs are not required in Washington state but are an excellent opportunity to review and improve your infection prevention policies and protocols.

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You will receive a certificate of participation that you can display. You will also receive a concise report with tailored resources and tools after the visit.

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There are many benefits for doing an ICAR. You will receive customized resources and education on your IPC policies and protocols that need improvement. A sustainable partnership for ongoing improvement. 

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The certificate of participation shows your facility’s commitment to infection control and prevention. However, recommendations made need to be implemented. 

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ICARs take approximately 2-4 hours or less, depending on the size of the facility.

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Our Infection Preventionist will be the primary consultant on the visit. On occasion an IP trainee or a second Infection Preventionist might attend to gain experience.

Additional resources

Contact information

Clark County Infection Prevention Program
Email
564.397.8186