Bibliographic information

GuidelineGuidelines on core components of infection prevention and control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level
Year of Publication2016
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization

Recommendation

New

6a. Health care facility level The panel recommends that regular monitoring/ audit and timely feedback of health care practices according to IPC (infection prevention and control) standards should be performed to prevent and control HAI (health care-associated infection) and AMR (antimicrobial resistance) at the health care facility level. Feedback should be provided to all audited persons and relevant staff.

Recommended in favor

Strong

Notes and Remarks

Ÿ The main purpose of auditing/monitoring practices and other indicators and feedback is to achieve behaviour change or other process modification to improve the quality of care and practice with the goal of reducing the risk of HAI and AMR spread. Monitoring and feedback are also aimed at engaging stakeholders, creating partnerships and developing working groups and networks. Ÿ Sharing the audit results and providing feedback not only with those being audited (individual change), but also with hospital management and senior administration (organizational change) are critical steps. IPC teams and committees (or quality of care committees) should also be included as IPC care practices are quality markers for these programmes. Ÿ IPC programmes should be periodically evaluated to assess the extent to which the objectives are met, the goals accomplished, whether the activities are being performed according to requirements and to identify aspects that may need improvement identified via standardized audits. Important information that may be used for this purpose includes the results of the assessment of compliance with IPC practices, other process indicators (for example, training activities), dedicated time by the IPC team and resource allocation.