Infection prevention and control

Infection prevention and control is a practical, evidence-based approach which prevents patients and health workers from being harmed by avoidable infections. Preventing health care-associated infections (HAIs) avoids unnecessary harm and sometimes death, saves money, and reduces the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Preventing HAIs has never been more important.

Past Ebola virus disease outbreaks, the rapid spread of other emerging viruses such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), as well as the inexorable march of AMR, shows how limited or non-existent infection prevention and control programmes, combined with an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation and a weak hygiene infrastructure in health facilities, can threaten global health security. In such outbreaks, instead of serving as points where disease was controlled, health care facilities became dangerous places for outbreak amplification among staff and patients and transmission back to communities.

Strengthened capacity in relation to infection prevention and control (IPC) at both the national and local level is relevant to the pursuit of integrated, high-quality and people-centred health services and the progression towards universal health coverage. In this context, IPC good practices also contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to children and women’s health.