Illinois Nursing Home Administrators (NHA) Practice Exam

Ultimately, who is responsible for infection control within a facility?

1. The infection control committee

2. The medical director

3. The licensee

4. The licensee and the administrator

The correct answer is: The licensee

The licensee is ultimately responsible for infection control within a facility because they have the overarching legal and administrative authority. The licensee is accountable for ensuring that the facility complies with state and federal regulations, which include maintaining proper infection control policies and procedures. While various individuals and committees, such as the infection control committee and the medical director, play crucial roles in developing and implementing these infection control measures, the licensee holds the ultimate responsibility. This includes ensuring that adequate staff training, proper sanitation practices, and necessary resources are in place to prevent and manage infections effectively. The collaborative efforts of the infection control committee or the medical director support the licensee in their duties, but the ultimate accountability lies with the licensee. Therefore, they play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of safety and compliance regarding infection control throughout the facility.