A body-system approach to infection control and discharge planning

Discharge planning is a complex process that must address all patient needs, including safety and infection control. A tremendous amount of collaboration and consideration of all factors that impact on utilization, quality assurance, and discharge planning are necessary from the infection control nurse and discharge planning nurse. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has adopted standards to address timely and smooth transitions of patients to appropriate posthospital care. Infection control policies must address these standards.