Everyone who works in a sleep organization has responsibility for preventing and controlling infection. When a surveyor assesses a sleep lab, they will review the policies, then assess staff understanding of the program and seek evidence of effective implementation.
While COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of infection control in sleep centers, the issue should always be an organization-wide priority. An effective infection control program identifies risks, defines mitigation efforts, and measures results. Whether in a hospital-based sleep lab with multiple beds, an independent diagnostic testing facility, or a physician-run lab, infection control is essential to improving patient safety and quality of care.