Most health departments have broad legal authorities for activities related to surveillance and disease control. These authorities, which help support healthcare-associated infection (HAI) / antimicrobial-resistant pathogen (AR) surveillance and response, often intersect with authorities held by local, territorial, state, or federal partners, including agencies responsible for healthcare facility regulation and professional licensing. Because public health authority can be updated or revised over time and can vary by jurisdiction and setting, periodic communication and coordination between health departments and their legal counsel help ensure that legal authorities are effectively exercised and clearly communicated to partners when needed.
Relationship building and development of trust contribute to effective collaboration between health departments and healthcare facilities. In communicating their public health authorities when initiating an HAI/AR investigation, health departments can describe not only their expectations of the healthcare facility but also how the health department will contribute toward their shared goals.
