Infection Control Assessment Tools

The basic elements of an infection prevention program are designed to prevent the spread of infection in healthcare settings. When these elements are present and practiced consistently, the risk of infection among patients and healthcare personnel is reduced.

The Infection Control Assessment Tools were developed by CDC for awardees under the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Program to assist health departments in assessing infection prevention practices and guide quality improvement activities (e.g., by addressing identified gaps). These tools may also be used by healthcare facilities to conduct internal quality improvement audits.

Assessment tools were developed for the following healthcare settings: acute care (including hospitals and long-term acute care hospitals), outpatient, long-term care, and hemodialysis. Select the assessment tool below that is specific to your setting.

• Infection Control Assessment Tool for Acute Care Hospitals [PDF – 433 KB]
• Infection Control Assessment Tool for Long-term Care Facilities [PDF – 104 KB]
• Infection Control Assessment Tool for Outpatient Settings [PDF – 337 KB]
• Infection Control Assessment Tool for Hemodialysis Facilities [PDF – 278 KB]

NOTE: For Outpatient settings, the previously released Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings and its companion Checklist (available at: https://www.cdc.gov/HAI/settings/outpatient/outpatient-care-guidelines.html) have been revised and made consistent with the Outpatient Settings Infection Control Assessment Tool. While the same infection prevention elements are included in both the checklist and assessment tool, the facility demographics sections differ slightly. The assessment tool is intended for health department use to complete ELC activities whereas the checklist is intended primarily for healthcare facility use.