WHO Issues Core Components of Effective Infection Prevention and Control Programs
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a major public health problem with a significant impact on morbidity, mortality and quality of life. They represent also an important economic burden to health systems worldwide. However, a large proportion of HAI are preventable through effective infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
Improvements in IPC at the national and facility level are critical for the successful containment of antimicrobial resistance and the prevention of HAI, including outbreaks of highly transmissible diseases through high quality care within the context of universal health coverage.
Given the limited availability of IPC evidence-based guidance and standards, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to prioritize the development of global recommendations on the core components of effective IPC programs both at the national and acute healthcare facility level, based on systematic literature reviews and expert consensus. The aim of the guideline development process was to identify the evidence and evaluate its quality, consider patient values and preferences, resource implications, and the feasibility and acceptability of the recommendations.
As a result, 11 recommendations and three good practice statements are presented HERE, including a summary of the supporting evidence, and form the substance of a new WHO IPC guideline.
Reference: Storr J, et al. Core components for effective infection prevention and control programmes: new WHO evidence-based recommendations. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control. 2017;6:6
IP Lifeline: Navigating Moments of Uncertainty
March 1st 2025In this installment of IP Lifeline, Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC, in uncertain times, encourages us to focus on what we can control, adapt to challenges, trust our values, and keep moving forward. Together, we can navigate any storm.
Antibiotic Stewardship in Long-Term Care: Leveraging McGeer and Loeb Criteria for Better Outcomes
February 28th 2025Antibiotic stewardship in long-term care facilities relies on McGeer and Loeb criteria to guide infection surveillance and appropriate prescribing, ensuring better outcomes for residents and reducing resistance.
Oral Parasites and Periodontal Disease: The Hidden Threat to Dental Health
February 28th 2025Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax are protozoan parasites linked to periodontal disease. Emerging research highlights their role in oral inflammation, tissue destruction, and worsening gum disease.
Rare Disease Month: Nipah Virus—It Is From Bats!
February 28th 2025For Rare Disease Month, Rebecca Leach, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, writes on Nipah virus, a rare but deadly zoonotic disease that poses a significant public health threat. With high mutation potential and no cure, prevention and awareness are critical.
Beyond Civil Rights: Black Trailblazers in Medicine and Infection Prevention
February 28th 2025Black History Month should celebrate pioneers like Drs William Hinton, Daniel Hale Williams, and Charles Drew, whose medical breakthroughs revolutionized infection prevention, surgery, and blood preservation.
The Latest on CLABSIs and CAUTIs: Evidence-Based Approaches for Infection Prevention
February 27th 2025Health care–associated infections like CLABSIs and CAUTIs threaten patient safety. Learn evidence-based strategies, new technologies, and prevention protocols to reduce these infections and improve outcomes.
