Who we are
A cutting-edge collaboration
The Healthcare Surfaces Institute is a cutting-edge collaboration of thought leaders who work together to evaluate and understand all aspects of the role surfaces play in transmitting pathogens that cause infection and illness in healthcare settings.
Finding solutions to the spread of infections via surfaces requires an understanding of all contributing factors. This can only be done by bringing together experts that have high levels of understanding and expertise in many different areas – often with very different perspectives and opinions about how the issue must be addressed.
The 2018 Healthcare Surfaces Institute Annual Meeting in Minneapolis
Together, this group will combine their collective understanding of the patient care process, insight into human behavior, microbiology, cleaning and disinfection, and infection prevention protocols to develop solutions and bring about the change necessary to address the rampant spread of infection and illness throughout the healthcare system.
HSI 2019 annual meeting
The HSI Annual Meeting (originally scheduled for August 2019) has been moved to later in the year. Check back soon for updates!
Our Mission
To reduce preventable infections through collaboration of industry, academia, science, regulatory, and service sectors by interrupting the transmission of surface-related pathogens in healthcare in support of community health.
“The awareness and attention to surfaces as sources and transfer routes of pathogenic microbes is an underappreciated reality and deserves efforts to understand and remedy. Seeing the energized commitment of the wide range of healthcare professionals at the Institute and the ever-focusing of the HSI work-products provide for optimism and pathways for real change.”
Become a Sponsor
Sponsorship funds and grants support research, workgroup initiatives and the Annual Institute where the most meaningful work is done to fulfill our mission and elicit change. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
Initiative Workgroups
How We Started
A collaborative approach to multi-modal solutions
In 2015, the first Healthcare Surfaces Institute was held. We gathered experts from infection prevention, facilities management, environmental services, manufacturing, academia, research, and regulatory agencies. The Institute began with 10-minute lightening talks from each of the experts, who were asked the same three questions:
What are the top 3 issues related to the spread of infection via environmental surfaces?
What are the hurdles to success?
What should be done immediately?
As each person presented their answers to questions, it became clear not all aspects of the problem were being evaluated and addressed. Therefore, sustainable solutions were not being realized. Those in attendance identified four areas of work for the Institute to address and “Initiative Groups” were formed.
Our Initiative Workgroups develop solutions, best practices, and research hypotheses to support the development of scientific evidence-based best practice recommendations that support policy and regulatory change.
“We have a strong and direct mission and mandate to connect industries for working on the multi-pronged approach to the problem of infections.”
Education
Manufacturing & Engineering
Regulatory Agencies
Science & Research
Healthcare
Goals and Objectives
Institute Goals
To mitigate the spread of healthcare associated infections via environmental surfaces
The Institute will bring together science, technology, manufacturing, regulating agencies and government institutions to foster communication between all areas of expertise to:
Review existing and emerging research
Build a bridge of communication between all entities working to find solutions
Understand how the combination of surfaces support and are active in the spread of infection
Understand surface and disinfectant product compatibility
Understand human behavior that contributes to the spread of infection
Determine the comprehensive approach needed to reduce healthcare acquired infections
“Attending the Institute helped me to understand the EPA testing process and [I enjoyed] being a part of a cutting-edge group that is trying to pave the future to reduce HAIs caused by surface contact.”
Once a clear understanding of all aspects of the spread of infection is understood, the following outcomes will be achieved:
Determine further research needs
Develop guidelines and best practices
Develop effective ways of communicating and working with: Infection Prevention, Facilities Management, and Environmental Services to ultimately educate and advise Administration of critical needs
Recommend and support the development of new policy and policy changes, driven by evidence-based research
Research support
Create educational and training programs
“We all need to remember the patient’s perspective and be more open minded to be able to address patient safety issues and research in a timely manner.”
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
