Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Response

The Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response (IDER) program conducts infectious disease surveillance and outbreak investigations and provides subject matter expertise to local health departments, health care facilities, physicians, veterinarians and the general public.

  1. Healthcare Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance
  2. Surveillance & EpiTrax

Healthcare-Associated Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance 

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are infections acquired during the delivery of medical care that were not present or incubating upon exposure to the health care setting. Antimicrobial resistance (AR) is the ability of microbes to resist the effects of drugs commonly used to treat them. Infections with resistant organisms are difficult to treat, requiring costly and sometimes toxic alternatives.

The HAI/AR program performs activities pursuant of developing state level infrastructure and monitoring of HAIs and AR. It is also guided by the objectives set forth by the Kansas HAI/AR Advisory Group to enhance prevention and response efforts, and collaborate with key health care organizations in the state -- and nationally -- to promote prevention initiatives. The program has served to develop key relationships between healthcare providers and key state agencies and bureaus.  

 Additionally, the program provides consultative service on infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship across the continuum of care.