CIC Complete Review Guide 2026–2027

4. (Collection and compilation of surveillance data) Common data sources are microbiology reports, pharmacy, admission and discharge records, radiology, clinical rounds and employee health records; using more than one source improves case finding. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual.
5. (Collection and compilation of surveillance data) Apply written case definitions consistently. For NHSN device-associated events the device must be in place for more than 2 consecutive calendar days on the date of event. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual.
6. (Collection and compilation of surveillance data) Incidence rate = new events ÷ population at risk × a constant (such as 1,000 device days). Prevalence = all existing cases ÷ population at a time point or period. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice.
7. (Collection and compilation of surveillance data) Device utilization ratio = device days ÷ patient days. It shows how much the device is used and helps explain changes in the device-associated infection rate. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual.
8. (Interpretation and communication of surveillance data) The standardized infection ratio (SIR) is observed ÷ predicted events. A value above 1.0 means more events than predicted; the confidence interval shows whether the difference is meaningful. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual.
9. (Interpretation and communication of surveillance data) Use run charts and control charts to see trends over time; a single high month is a signal to look, not proof of a problem. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice.
10. (Interpretation and communication of surveillance data) Report to different audiences differently: units want unit-level rates and actions; leaders want trends, benchmarks and risk; clinicians want clear, timely feedback. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology.
11. (Interpretation and communication of surveillance data) Reportable diseases must be notified to public health authorities within the time set by law; know your jurisdiction's list and deadlines. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice.
12. (Actions based on surveillance data and quality improvement) Link each surveillance finding to an action: observe practice, audit adherence to prevention bundles, then use a plan-do-study-act cycle and re-measure. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Infection Prevention Checklists / Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP).
13. (Actions based on surveillance data and quality improvement) Validate the data: review a sample of cases and non-cases, because inaccurate case finding can make good or poor performance look different than it is. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual.
14. (Outbreak and exposure investigation) An outbreak is more cases than expected in a place and time. Confirm it by comparing with baseline and checking that the diagnoses are real and not a testing artifact (pseudo-outbreak). Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Steps of an Outbreak Investigation.
15. (Outbreak and exposure investigation) A case definition uses clinical criteria plus person, place and time, and can have confirmed, probable and possible categories. Keep it simple and use it for case finding. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Steps of an Outbreak Investigation.
16. (Outbreak and exposure investigation) The epidemic curve shows onset over time: a point-source outbreak peaks quickly and falls within one incubation period; a continuous or propagated pattern shows repeated peaks. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Steps of an Outbreak Investigation.
17. (Outbreak and exposure investigation) A case-control study compares exposures in cases and controls and gives an odds ratio; a cohort study compares attack rates in exposed and unexposed groups and gives a relative risk. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice.
18. (Outbreak and exposure investigation) Start control measures as soon as a source or route is suspected; molecular typing (such as whole-genome sequencing) supports, but does not replace, epidemiologic evidence. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Steps of an Outbreak Investigation.
19. (Outbreak and exposure investigation) An exposure investigation lists who was exposed, when and how; assess susceptibility (immunity), decide on prophylaxis or work restrictions, and follow up for the incubation period. Source: CBIC CIC Content Outline (July 2026), Domain 2; CDC Guideline for Infection Control in Health Care Personnel (1998).

Common mistakes in this chapter

• ✕ Do not wait for laboratory confirmation before starting control measures in an outbreak.
• ✕ A rate per 1,000 device days and a rate per 100 admissions are not interchangeable; use the denominator that matches the exposure.
• ✕ A rise in cases is not always an outbreak: check for changes in testing, definitions or population first.
• ✕ Incidence counts new cases; prevalence counts all existing cases at a point or period in time.
• ✕ Statistical significance does not mean the difference is important to patient care.