What is PICNet?
“PICNet” stands for the Provincial Infection Control Network of British Columbia. It is a provincially supported infection control knowledge collaborative encompassing regional and provincial health organizations. Developed in January 2005 by the British Columbia Ministry of Health Services, PICNet guides and advises on healthcare associated infection practice across the continuum of care in the province of British Columbia and links with infection control networks nationally and internationally. PICNet’s vision is “Good science – Good Will.”
What is PICNet’s mission?
PICNet’s mission is to maximize the coordination and integration of activities related to healthcare associated infection prevention, surveillance and control for the entire province, using an evidence-based approach. It aims to achieve its mission by
- Advice on relevant policy and issues
- Knowledge to guide investigation or practice
- Assistance and participation in surveillance activities
- Opportunities for collaboration
- Advocacy on behalf of the community of practice for appropriate and sustainable resources
What are PICNet’s objectives?
PICNet’s objectives include the following points:
- To enhance healthcare associated infection surveillance practices in the Province of British Columbia;
- To identify and recommend best practices in infection control;
- To improve awareness around infection control and accessibility to education and training;
- To improve coordination and collaboration through stakeholder engagement in PICNet;
- To meet PICNet’s objectives through the development of appropriate operational structures and processes;
- To seek and engage in innovative opportunities for PICNet.
Who belongs to PICNet’s Community of Practice?
The Provincial Infection Control Network consists of the Community of Practice involved in infection prevention, surveillance and control of healthcare associated infections across the continuum of care for all BC Health Authorities. Stakeholders in PICNet include – but are not limited to – environmental health officers, epidemiologists, infection control professionals, infectious disease physicians, medical health officers, medical microbiologists, public health nurses and physicians, and occupational health nurses and physicians.
To whom is PICNet accountable?
PICNet works in close conjunction with its Steering Committee, which was designed to ensure that its members are representative of areas of expertise and experience, while ensuring representation from all Regional Health Authorities. Expertise and experience includes not just specific professional expertise, but also knowledge and experience in the varied physical and institutional environments across the province. Members of the committee are representatives, not delegates, with a mandate to bring expertise and experience to bear in the interests of the whole enterprise – which might from time to time differ from the preferred interests of a particular group of stakeholders. The PICNet Steering Committee is accountable horizontally to members of PICNet for arriving at PICNet outputs.
PICNet has two Co-Chairs, who were appointed by the Ministry of Health and report on behalf of the Steering Committee and the Community of Practice to the Provincial Medical Services Committee (PMSC) chaired by the Assistant Deputy Minister, Performance Management and Improvement Divisions, Ministry of Health.
