from the editor
Taking the Importance of IP & C to the Global Stage
If you haven ’ t heard already , the World Health Organization
( WHO ) has released its Global Report on Infection Prevention and Control , providing an analysis of how infection prevention and control ( IP & C ) programs are being implemented around the world according to evidence from the scientific literature , various reports , and new data from WHO studies . It highlights the harm to patients and healthcare personnel caused by healthcare-associated infections ( HAIs ) and antimicrobial resistance ( AMR ), as well as addresses the impact and cost-effectiveness of IP & C programs .
According to this report , a recent detailed global survey on the minimum requirements for national IP & C programs carried out by WHO showed that an active IP & C program – defined as a functioning program with annual workplans and budget -- existed in just 54.7 percent ( 58 / 106 ) of countries . However , only four of the participating countries ( 3.8 percent ) met all minimum requirements for IP & C . According to this survey , relevant gaps were limited availability of a budget specifically dedicated to IP & C , limited support at the national level for IP & C training roll-out and monitoring of its effectiveness , and lack of expertise to conduct IP & C monitoring . While many infection preventionists feel they are struggling to sustain their programs , the U . S . is faring much better than most other countries , according to WHO data .
The bright spot is that 75 percent of countries reported that multi-modal improvement strategies ( which comprise several components or elements implemented in an integrated way
healthcarehygienemagazine with the goal of improving an outcome and changing behavior ) were included in national IP & C guidelines and IP & C education and training as the best implementation approach . A similar percentage of countries stated that their national IP & C focal point was responsible for coordinating support for interventions aimed at improving IP & C at the facility level .
The report documents the chronic shortfalls for so many IP & C programs , including :
• Competing interests / programs and services
• Lack of financial investments in IP & C
• Lack of institutionalization , leadership and weak legal frameworks
• Limited integration of IP & C into other programs
This can be a useful document to add to your existing business-case arsenal to show hospital leaders that the challenges you face are persistent and require adequate resourcing . Additionally , the WHO report lists five main reasons for investing in IP & C :
• Ensures quality of care and patient and healthcare workers ’ safety
• Directly improves key health outcomes and saves lives
• Reduces healthcare costs and out-of-pocket expenses
• Consists of proven strategies supported by implementation aids
• Is scalable and adaptable to the local context
As the WHO report emphasizes , “ No country or health system , even the most developed or sophisticated , can claim to be free of HAIs and AMR . Equally , there is no need for anyone to be unnecessarily exposed to infection during healthcare delivery as a result of suboptimal IP & C practices , or because of a lack of equipment or standard operating procedures . It has never been more urgent to prevent HAIs and AMR now and in the future .”
Until next month , bust those bugs ! Kelly M . Pyrek Editor & Publisher kelly @ healthcarehygienemagazine . com
editor & publisher
president & cfo art director customer service manager
Kelly M . Pyrek kelly @ healthcarehygienemagazine . com
A . G . Hettinger , CPA Patti Valdez J . Christine Phillips
Healthcare Hygiene magazine is published monthly by Keystone Media Inc . 8955 Ridgeline Blvd ., Suite 500 , Highlands Ranch , CO 80129 . Free digital subscriptions available at www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com for U . S ., Canada and other foreign subscribers . Copyright © 2022 Keystone Media Inc . All rights reserved . The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial material . Advertisers , and / or their agents , assume the responsibility for all content of published advertisements and assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the advertisement . Editorial contributors assume responsibility for their published works and assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the published work . All items submitted to Healthcare Hygiene magazine become the sole property of Keystone Media Inc . Editorial content may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher . No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means , including information storage and retrieval systems , without permission in writing from the publisher .