CIC (AAPC) study plan
CIC · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation
Define incidence, prevalence, attack rate, and case fatality rate, then compute each from a simple numeric scenario
Distinguish descriptive from analytic study designs and state when each is appropriate for an outbreak
Draft a step-by-step outbreak investigation sequence from case definition through control measures
Identify notifiable disease reporting requirements and the role of the infection preventionist in reporting
Your checkpoint
A one-page outbreak investigation flowchart plus a worked worksheet calculating four epidemiologic measures from a 20-case scenario
Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation & Identification of Infectious Disease Processes
Construct and interpret an epidemic curve, including point-source versus propagated patterns
Calculate and interpret relative risk and odds ratio from a 2x2 table
Explain the chain of infection and apply each link to a healthcare-associated transmission scenario
Describe the phases of infectious disease (incubation, prodrome, illness, convalescence) and their implications for isolation timing
Your checkpoint
A completed 2x2 table exercise with RR and OR calculated and a written interpretation of what each value means for intervention
Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents
Differentiate standard, contact, droplet, and airborne precautions and select the correct set for five clinical scenarios
Apply the hierarchy of controls to transmission prevention and rank interventions by effectiveness
Describe appropriate use of personal protective equipment including donning and doffing sequence logic
Outline a process for managing a communicable disease exposure among patients (contact tracing, prophylaxis, work restriction)
Your checkpoint
A scenario matrix matching five patient presentations to correct precaution type, required PPE, and discontinuation criteria
Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents & Identification of Infectious Disease Processes
Explain the pathogenesis and transmission route for the most common multidrug-resistant organisms encountered in acute care
Design a bundle for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection or catheter-associated urinary tract infection
Describe surveillance definitions used for device-associated and surgical site infections
Compare active versus passive surveillance and identify strengths and limits of each
Your checkpoint
A written prevention bundle for one device-associated infection including at least five evidence-linked elements and a compliance monitoring method
Employee/Occupational Health
Outline the components of an employee health program including pre-placement assessment and immunization requirements
Apply post-exposure management steps for bloodborne pathogen exposure from exposure through follow-up
Explain work restriction and furlough criteria for healthcare personnel with communicable conditions
Describe fit testing requirements and the difference between fit test and seal check
Your checkpoint
A post-exposure management algorithm for a needlestick injury covering immediate steps, testing, prophylaxis, and return-to-work criteria
Management and Communication & Education and Research
Identify the reporting structure and committee relationships that govern an infection prevention program
Draft a business case for an infection prevention intervention using outcome, cost, and risk framing
Select appropriate adult learning methods for a staff education session and write measurable learning objectives
Critically appraise a published infection prevention study for design, bias, and applicability to your setting
Your checkpoint
A one-page business case for a proposed intervention with a stated problem, projected impact, resource ask, and three measurable objectives
Environment of Care & Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Distinguish cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization and match each to a device classification (critical, semicritical, noncritical)
Explain the Spaulding classification and apply it to five example devices
Describe high-level disinfection and sterilization monitoring methods including indicators and their limitations
Identify environment-of-care risks such as water systems, ventilation, and construction/renovation containment
Your checkpoint
A device classification table with at least eight example items, each mapped to required reprocessing level and a monitoring method
Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation & Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents & Employee/Occupational Health & Identification of Infectious Disease Processes & Management and Communication & Education and Research & Environment of Care & Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Integrate all domains by working through three full-length practice sets under timed conditions
Review every missed item and categorize the error as knowledge gap, misread question, or reasoning error
Re-derive the ten highest-yield calculations and definitions from memory without notes
Build a final-week review sheet limited to concepts still missed on the second pass
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam log with error categories tallied and a one-page high-yield review sheet covering only remaining weak areas
Milestones
Week 2: Can compute and correctly interpret RR and OR from a 2x2 table without reference material, and can sketch an epidemic curve pattern from a case list
Week 4: Can select correct precautions and PPE for any given scenario and can state the surveillance definition for at least two device-associated infections
Week 6: Can explain program reporting structure and defend an intervention with cost and outcome reasoning in under five minutes of spoken explanation
Week 8: Scores at or above target on timed practice sets with all missed items categorized and addressed on the review sheet