Updating the guideline development methodology of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)

Abstract

This article describes the recent update to the guideline development methodology of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). These methods are being used to develop future HICPAC guidelines, beginning with the guideline on preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections released in 2009. The article includes a background on HICPAC, the strengths and limitations of the methods it's used over the last two decades, and the rationale behind these recent updates. In addition, we describe the new infrastructure used to develop guidelines at HICPAC, key changes in methodology, and new elements of HICPAC guidelines, like the implementation and audit section. We also describe current challenges to the development of infection control guidelines. The current update builds on past strengths and current advances in guideline development and implementation, and enables HICPAC to improve the validity and usability of its guidelines while also addressing emerging challenges in guideline development in the area of infection prevention and control.