GLOBAL HEALTH
Infection Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Vietnam
By Samantha Musumeci , MPH , senior specialist , Global Health ; Ninh Tran , MscM , senior specialist , Global Health ; Chi Nguyen , MSc , laboratory technician , Advanced Diagnostic Unit , Global Health ; Nhung Le , PhD , laboratory specialist , Advanced Diagnostic Unit , Global Health ; and Sherrie Staley , MPH , deputy director , Global Health
The infection prevention and control ( IPC ) of infectious diseases is a key component of preventing the spread of healthcareacquired infections ( HAI ) in healthcare facilities . As with many countries , the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for the strengthening of IPC efforts in Vietnam . These efforts are important not only in COVID-19 response efforts , but also in response to other infectious diseases of significance such as tuberculosis ( TB ).
Over the past 18 months , APHL has contributed to strengthening IPC efforts in Vietnam , for both COVID-19 and TB . In collaboration with the Ministry of Health ( MOH ) in Vietnam , APHL has supported the development of guidelines for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection . The updated guidelines are aligned with Vietnam ’ s epidemic prevention strategy , which have contributed to the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare facilities , the infection prevention and management of healthcare workers at high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the selection and use of personal protective equipment in the prevention of COVID-19 .
Additionally , APHL has organized dozens of online trainings on the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare facilities . Over the course of these trainings , more than 10,000 healthcare workers have been trained , increasing their skills and knowledge in a short timeframe and in the context of social distancing according to the regulations of Vietnam . In addition to training topics on SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention for healthcare workers in general , APHL has also organized more than 10 training sessions for specific target groups , such as care and treatment of COVID-19 patients within multiple healthcare settings .
APHL Establishes Advanced Diagnostic Unit in Vietnam , Aids in Seroprevalence Study
Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology , APHL , in collaboration with CDC Vietnam , has established an Advanced Diagnostic Unit ( ADU ) equipped with advanced molecular detection equipment including a 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR system , Varioskan ™ LUX Multimode Microplate Reader , NanoDrop ™ One / OneC Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer , MiSeq ® System and MAGPIX ® System . The ADU has played a key role in Vietnam ’ s COVID-19 response as part of a seroprevalence study . The study , which aims to research SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in serum of the population in Vietnam , began in June 2021 with specimens collected from two provinces . There are two main targets for the study : Vietnamese
Recently , APHL has contributed to updating the TB IPC guidelines for healthcare facilities and communities in coordination with the Vietnam Administration for Medical Services and has competed the procurement of masks and fit testing kits for upcoming IPC trainings .
Despite its short duration , APHL ’ s IPC program has had close partnerships with many agencies and organizations of Vietnam such as VAMS , Vietnam Chief Nursing Club , Vietnam Infection Control Society and Ho Chi Minh City Infection Control Society . These close relationships have greatly contributed to the implementation of highly effective activities . n
MAGPIX ® System utilized for speciment testing in SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Study .
healthcare workers before and after receiving two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine ; and citizens who have different vaccination status , living in a province which had a high COVID-19 infection rate . These specimens were collected at multiple sites and sent to the ADU for testing utilizing the Tetracore FlexImmArray SARS-CoV-2 15 plex test . To date , approximately 7,500 samples have been tested and data analysis is underway .
APHL has organized dozens of online trainings on the prevention of SARS- CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare facilities .
Slide on Patient Assessment from training on Guidelines for the Care of COVID-19 Patients in COVID Hospitals
16 LAB MATTERS Summer 2022