Page 54 - CIJ JAN 2024 - Digital Edition

HealtHcare Hygiene

Understanding the role of IPC

Hygiene safeguards
Over time, the vital role of Infection Prevention and
Control (IPC) has become evident in the evolving priorities
of the World Health Organization’s Member States and
their collaborators. This encompasses various areas like
water, sanitation, hygiene, health worker and patient safety,
as well as preventing specific conditions like antimicrobial
resistance (AMR) and sepsis. IPC is essential for ensuring
high-quality and safe healthcare, forming the foundation of
health emergency preparedness and response. In a recent
report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), the focus was on
the significant impact of Healthcare-Associated Infections
(HAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). It conducted
a comprehensive global analysis of the status of IPC
programs, gathering data from various international surveys
Innovations and and sources.
As of the 2023 Global Strategy on Infection Prevention
advanced Technology and Control (GSIPC) outlined by the World Health
with multi- faceted Organization, the pervasive nature of Healthcare-
Associated Infections (HAIs) remains a challenge for
strategies lead the all countries and health systems, regardless of their

healthcare facilities sophistication. These infections, often stemming from
multidrug-resistant organisms, not only pose risks to
to achieve prevention patients, visitors, and health workers but also impose a
substantial burden on health systems, leading to escalated
of infections and help costs. Furthermore, the escalating endemic burden of
continual enhancement Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial
resistance (AMR) represents a less visible yet equally
of patient safety urgent concern, impacting patients globally and extending
within healthcare into the community.
Acknowledging the gaps in IPC programs highlighted by
environments, the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the

says Dr Raksha growing challenges associated with infection and AMR in
healthcare delivery, a consensus-driven resolution on IPC
K Bhat Head of was presented and adopted during the Seventy-fifth World

Department Consultant Health Assembly (resolution WHA 75.13). This resolution,
comprising 13 calls to Member States, urges improvements
Microbiologist Central in IPC at national, subnational, and facility levels, aligning
with the recommended core components for IPC programs
Laboratory & Infection outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Control Officer, Additionally, the resolution mandates the Director-
St. Martha’s Hospital, General to develop a comprehensive Global Strategy on
IPC, encompassing a global action plan and a monitoring
Bengaluru framework, in consultation with Member States and
regional economic integration organizations.

JANUARY 2024•Clean India Journal
54 www.cleanindiajournal.com