Mpox Playbook published to support infection prevention in facilities

In light of the WHO declaration that the ongoing MPOX outbreak in Africa is a public health emergency, APIC has an updated tool for infection preventionists (IPs) and epidemiologists.

APIC's Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force has created an Mpox Playbook that IPs can download and adapt for use in their facilities. Playbooks are free, open-access resources designed to assist healthcare facilities in responding to disease outbreaks.

Speaking about the pathogen-specific playbook, APIC CEO Devin Jopp EdD, MS said in a statement: “The Mpox Playbook is designed for facilities to respond immediately when they suspect an outbreak and prevent it from spreading. To respond, IPs and epidemiologists must identify the pathogen, prevent its transmission, and ensure staff are working safely. They must also ensure patients are safe both in the facility and upon discharge and maintain an open line of communication with healthcare stakeholders.”

Jopp continued, “Infection prevention professionals are often incident commanders when disease outbreaks occur in their facilities, and the updated playbook is designed to help them prepare and mobilize quickly. It is critical that we use what we learned during COVID-19 and the previous MPox outbreak in 2022 to improve response to infectious disease outbreaks and protect patients and staff in our nation's healthcare facilities.”

The Mpox Playbook can be accessed here.