Who must be a part of the Expert Review Panel (ERP)?

The Expert Review Panel (ERP) is designed to ensure that evaluations and decisions regarding healthcare facilities are informed by specialized knowledge. Including an infection control expert or epidemiologist on the panel is crucial because these professionals possess the expertise necessary to assess and analyze infection control practices, data, and outcomes. Their knowledge contributes significantly to understanding potential risks, improving patient safety, and guiding best practices within the facility. Their insights help ensure that the panel's recommendations are grounded in current scientific understanding and evidence-based practices.

Having a facility administrator, a healthcare provider from any profession, or a committee like the infection control committee may bring valuable perspectives, but it is the specific expertise of an infection control expert or epidemiologist that is essential for addressing infection control issues comprehensively and effectively. This focus on specialized knowledge underscores the need for targeted expertise in areas that directly impact health outcomes in healthcare facilities.