Infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial for patient safety and combating hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. Effective IPC strategies include standard and transmission-based precautions, which involve hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and proper handling of medical instruments. Collaboration among healthcare agencies, individuals, and communities is essential to address risk factors and modify behaviors to control the spread of infectious diseases.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial for patient safety and combating hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. Effective IPC strategies include standard and transmission-based precautions, which involve hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and proper handling of medical instruments. Collaboration among healthcare agencies, individuals, and communities is essential to address risk factors and modify behaviors to control the spread of infectious diseases.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial for patient safety and combating hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. Effective IPC strategies include standard and transmission-based precautions, which involve hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and proper handling of medical instruments. Collaboration among healthcare agencies, individuals, and communities is essential to address risk factors and modify behaviors to control the spread of infectious diseases.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial for patient safety and combating hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. Effective IPC strategies include standard and transmission-based precautions, which involve hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and proper handling of medical instruments. Collaboration among healthcare agencies, individuals, and communities is essential to address risk factors and modify behaviors to control the spread of infectious diseases.
Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon & Clinical Pharmacologist •According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infection prevention and control (IPC) is a scientific approach and practical solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers.
•It is a subset of epidemiology, but also serves an
essential function in infectious diseases, social sciences and global health. • Effective IPC is a public health issue that is fundamental in patient safety and health system strengthening.
• Strengthening IPC is essential to combat hospital
acquired infection (HAI), antimicrobial resistance, and to respond to disease outbreaks. Infection Spread in Healthcare Facilities •Healthcare facilities, whether hospitals or primary care clinics are an area with an elevated risk of disease transmission due to the presence and relative ratio of susceptible individuals. •About one in every ten patients get an infection whilst receiving care •effective infection prevention and control reduces healthcare- associated infections by at least 30% •In a healthcare setting, the three components required for the spread of infections are the follow: source, susceptible person and transmission. Source This includes all places where infectious agents survive (e.g. sinks, hospital equipment, countertops, medical devices).
Environment - patient care areas, sinks, hospital
equipment, countertops, medical devices.
People - patients, healthcare workers, or visitors.
Susceptible Person • Someone (Patient, Healthcare Worker, or Visitor) who is not vaccinated or immune to a particular infectious disease, or an individual with a compromised immune system / immunodeficient.
• In addition, susceptibility can be heightened in individuals
due to underlying medical conditions, medications, and necessary treatments and procedures that increase the risk of infection (for example, surgery) Transmission The way germs are moved to the susceptible person • Touch, including via medical equipment or a susceptible person (for example, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus ) • Sprays or splashes (for example, Pertussis) • Inhalation of aerosolised particles (for example, tuberculosis or measles) • Sharps injuries introducing blood-borne pathogens (for example, HIV and HBV. Infection control • This can be within the community or
• In healthcare facilities. Infection control within Communities • Infection control and prevention is a global issue and there are many protocols and guidelines that can be followed to minimise the spread of infection between people, within a population and globally. • The first step when looking at infection control can start at the community level by changing behaviour, including: Infection control within Communities • Regular handwashing. • Appropriate use of face-masks (protect from and prevent spread of respiratory infections) • Using insect repellents. • Ensuring up-to-date routine vaccinations and participating in immunisation programmes. • Taking prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, as directed by health professionals. • Social/physical? Distancing: avoiding contact with others. • Using condoms when having sex, especially with a new partner. Other steps that can be taken to control the spread within communities include environmental measures such as: • Modifying environments • Surveillance of diseases • Food safety • Air quality Other steps that can be taken to control the spread within communities include environmental measures such as:
• Modifying environments • Surveillance of diseases • Food safety • Air quality • Medical interventions • Antibiotics, • Antivirals, • Antifungals, • Vaccinations. Steps to Improve Infection Control • There are two tiers of recommended precautions by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings:
i) Standard Precautions
ii)Transmission-Based Precautions Steps to Improve Infection Control • There are two tiers of recommended precautions by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings:
i) Standard Precautions
ii)Transmission-Based Precautions Standard Precautions for All Patient Care • Perform hand hygiene. • Use of personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to infection. • Follow respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette principles. • Ensure appropriate patient placement and isolation precautions. • Properly handle, clean, and disinfect patient care equipment and medical instruments. • Handle and sterilise textiles and laundry carefully. • Follow safe injection practices and proper handling of sharps/needles. Standard Precautions for All Patient Care • Ensure healthcare worker safety via IPC and post-exposure prophylaxis • Prevention of intervention-related infections (catheter-associated urinary tract infections, intravascular catheter-related infections, surgical site infections) • The implementation of the specific isolation precaution when diagnosing some syndromes,. • Improving the communication between health care workers especially when referring potentially contagious patients. • In paediatric departments or ambulatory settings, there should be efforts to decrease infection from contaminated toys. • Families can be encouraged to bring their own toys. Transmission-Based Precautions These are used in addition to Standard Precautions for patients with infectious disease to prevent transmission: • Contact precautions • Droplet precautions • Airborne precautions Conclusion • There is no one solution to controlling the spread of infectious diseases, and effective IPC indeed requires government intervention and collaboration between healthcare agencies, individuals and communities. • Until certain risk factors are addressed and behaviours modified, the war against infectious diseases will continue to be a predominant and costly health issue around the world. Acknowledgement • This lecture was adapted from: • https://www.physio-pedia.com/ Infection_Prevention_and_Control#cite_note-20
International League Against Epilepsy Classification and Definition of Epilepsy Syndromes With Onset in Childhood Position Paper by The ILAE Task Force On Nosology and Definitions
International League Against Epilepsy Classification and Definition of Epilepsy Syndromes With Onset in Childhood Position Paper by The ILAE Task Force On Nosology and Definitions
