New Toolkit Can Help Agencies Access EHRs During Outbreaks of Healthcare-Associated Infections

​The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Keystone Policy Center, released a web-based toolkit to help those working in state, local, and territorial health departments gain better access to electronic health records (EHR) systems of facilities during outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Public health agencies, ASTHO said, have a responsibility to "ensure… rapid response during outbreak situations with complete transparency." This makes interactions between public health officials and healthcare facilities essential to mitigate risk during any outbreak, including an HAI outbreak. Outbreak investigations, ASTHO said, allow public health agencies to get a clear clinical picture of how and why patients are being affected.