Healthcare-associated infections increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as the healthcare system and healthcare workers faced unprecedented challenges. In order to better support healthcare workers to prevent infections in healthcare, it is essential the members of our nation’s healthcare workforce are equipped with the infection control knowledge they need and deserve to protect themselves and their patients.

CDC’s Project Firstline was launched in October 2020 as a resource for healthcare workers to get the most up-to-date information and materials for understanding and managing infection control in healthcare settings. To ensure that every healthcare worker, regardless of their position, has foundational knowledge in understanding where germs live and how they spread, Project Firstline will launch a new suite of infection control learning products on March 15, 2022. This launch will be supported by a network of healthcare, academic, and public health partners to ensure this important information reaches as many frontline healthcare workers across the country as possible.

The new products were developed for healthcare workers with extensive input from healthcare workers, and will be available in a variety of formats – from short videos that can be watched on the go to training toolkits for those looking to lead a training. Additionally, posters and other job aids are available to keep infection control front and center throughout healthcare facilities.

Fighting the spread of infections in healthcare settings depends on all healthcare workers understanding and applying infection control consistently and confidently. With the help of Project Firstline, healthcare workers can learn to recognize infection risks throughout their workday, so they feel empowered to take action and protect patients from infections – no matter the situation.

Project Firstline’s new products on risk recognition and infection control in healthcare will be available at 11 a.m. ET on March 15, 2022, on Project Firstline’s website. Here are a few examples of the new products:

- Recognizing Infection Risks in Healthcare (video). This engaging video is for all healthcare workers so they can recognize where germs live and how they can spread.
- Reservoir Profiles (for the body and environment). Users will learn where germs live in common areas of the body and the environment.
- Training Toolkits. Healthcare and public health facilities can use these toolkits to train healthcare workers to think critically about infection prevention and control.

Dozens more innovative products will also be available at launch on Project Firstline's website. All products are free and publicly accessible.

Source: CDC