Key points
- HICPAC is a federal advisory committee appointed to provide advice and guidance to DHHS and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø regarding the practice of infection control and strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and related events in United States healthcare settings.
What it is
HICPAC provides advice and guidance to DHHS and ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø on infection control practices and strategies for the surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), antimicrobial resistance, and adverse events in United States healthcare settings.
Membership
HICPAC consists of 14 voting members who are not federal employees. These experts are appointed by the Secretary of HHS following an application and nomination process. HICPAC voting members bring expertise including, but not limited to, infectious diseases, infection prevention and control, healthcare epidemiology, nursing, clinical and environmental microbiology, surgery, hospital medicine, internal medicine, epidemiology, health policy, health services research, public health, and related medical fields.
HICPAC also includes six ex officio members who represent federal agencies within HHS, as well as liaison representatives that bring related patient safety expertise from health-related associations, consumer groups, public organizations, and partners. These ex officio members and liaison representatives are included on the HICPAC charter, which is renewed biennially by HHS. Ex officio and liaison representatives are non-voting members of HICPAC.
Meetings
HICPAC meets up to 8 times a year at ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø in Atlanta, Georgia. Meetings are open to the public and time for public comments is allotted on the agenda.
General process for guideline development
1. Workgroup.
A workgroup is formed and meets for an extended period (e.g., months or years) to gather, examine, and interpret data.
2. Data.
The workgroup presents data and expert opinion to the full HICPAC membership for review and discussion. The full committee (not the workgroup) is charged with making recommendations to ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø.
3. First draft.
The first draft of new or revised guidelines is presented and discussed. If ready, the HICPAC members will vote on if the draft guidelines are ready for ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø review and public comment. Members weigh public discussion and the presented data.
4. Public comment.
If voting members approve, the guidelines are reviewed by ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø and then posted to the Federal Register for public comment, including industry input.
5. Review & revision.
ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø and HICPAC review and respond to the public comments. The guidelines are revised to reflect public input. ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø reviews again.
6. Vote & recommendation.
The workgroup presents the revised and pre-final draft for HICPAC approval. The members vote on the guideline and, if approved, recommend the final draft to ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø. Once guidelines are approved by HICPAC and complete a final ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø review, the ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø infection control website and related materials are updated.
Charter
The committee is governed by the provisions of Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.
Contact HICPAC Committee Management
Use this form for questions about:
- Membership information
- Meeting information such as
- Registration
- Meeting minutes
- Agendas
- Public comment
- Registration
Either complete the form and click submit or mail your question to:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HICPAC Committee Management
MS – H16-31600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30329-4027
Technical questions or comments about ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø's infection control guidelines?
For information about the recommendations or scientific content:
- Phone: 1-800-232-4636 English & Spanish
- TTY: 888-232-6348
- Contact: