Infection prevention prelicensure nursing education: Exploring graduating student and preceptor experiences.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization’s Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) is widely used to evaluate infection prevention and control (IPC) quality in hospitals, but IPC standards in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are less studied and standardized. The IPCAF has not previously been used in LTCFs. This study aimed to pilot an adapted version of the IPCAF in Dutch LTCFs to assess its usability, perceived feasibility and acceptability in this context.MethodsFirst, the IPCAF was translated and adapted to the Dutch LTCF context through expert consultation for relevance. In this pilot, the adapted IPCAF was then completed during face-to-face interviews together with a multidisciplinary team in fourteen healthcare groups between May and September 2024. Second, LTCF characteristics were collected in advance through a separate questionnaire on LTCF level. Finally, after receiving feedback reports, LTCFs completed a separate web-based survey about their experiences with the process. Data were summarized descriptively and group differences were tested using the Kruskal-Wallis test. ResultsMost participants found the adapted IPCAF clear and informative, appreciating its ability to highlight areas needing attention and identify priorities for improvement. About a quarter of LTCFs expressed willingness to use the adapted IPCAF in the future, while over half were hesitant. IPC standards were generally high, with the highest scores for ‘Workload, staffing and bed occupancy’ and ‘Environments, materials and equipment for IPC’. The lowest scores were for ‘HAI surveillance’ and ‘IPC education’, with only five LTCFs including HAI surveillance in their IPC programs.ConclusionsThis is the first study to adapt the WHO IPCAF as a tool for measuring IPC in LTCFs and to evaluate its usability, perceived feasibility, and acceptability in this context. The adapted IPCAF can be implemented in LTCFs and may help identify IPC priorities and areas for improvement. However, greater familiarity and support may be needed to enable wider adoption. While IPC standards were relatively high in the LTCFs included in this pilot, ongoing attention to surveillance and education remains essential. Further research may be needed to validate our findings in larger and more diverse LTCF populations and to explore its impact on IPC outcomes.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13756-026-01717-8.

Diversity equity and Inclusion: To advance infection prevention and control efforts, nursing assistants need to be given the opportunity to dance

In April 2022, the Ministry of Long-Term Care (LTC) in Ontario, Canada released the infection prevention and control (IPAC) standard as part of the requirements under a new legislation referred to as the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021. This was enacted to address gaps in the sector that were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main aspect of the infection prevention and control (IPAC) standard within the Act, requires each long-term care home (LTCH) to have an IPAC lead whose primary responsibility is the home’s IPAC program. As part of the regulation, every licensee shall ensure that the IPAC Lead works regularly in that position on-site at the home for at least the following minimum hours based on the licensed bed capacity: for homes with a licensed bed capacity of 69 beds or fewer at least 17.5 hours per week; for homes with a licensed bed capacity of more than 69 beds but fewer than 200 beds, at least 26.25 hours per week; for homes with a licensed bed capacity of 200 beds or more, at least 35 hours per week (FLTCA 2021). Section 102 (7) of the regulation further elaborates on the broad responsibilities of the IPAC lead including: working with the interdisciplinary IPAC team to implement the IPAC program; managing and overseeing the program; overseeing the delivery of IPAC education to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors, and residents; and auditing of IPAC practices in the home. In meeting regulatory compliance, most homes in the province of Ontario are now basing their staffing of the IPAC lead position solely on the minimum hours required under the regulation. There is no doubt that, historically, the ratio of infection control professionals (ICPs) in acute care settings has been tied to inpatient beds with no regard on the variability in facility complexity. For example, the Study of the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC) in the United States that evaluated the nosocomial IPAC programs from 1970 to 1976 recommended 1 infection control nurse per 250 beds (Haley et al, 1985). Another study suggested a ratio of 0.8 – 1.0 ICP per 100 occupied acute care beds (O’Boyle et., 2002) and a more recent study that aggregated data across organizations recommended a new benchmark of 1.0 ICP full-time equivalent per 69 beds if ambulatory, LTC, or home care are included (Bartles et al, 2018).

Infection preventionists’ current and preferred training strategies and tools

Background: Healthcare contributes significantly to waste production and greenhouse gas emissions. This became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet there is modest recognition of this issue, particularly within decision-making in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). The aim of our study was to gauge general knowledge and attitudes of hospital epidemiologists (HEs) and infection preventionists (IPs) around the intersection of environmental sustainability and IPC, and to identify related institutional practices. Methods: An online survey, composed of ten questions related to environmental sustainability in IPC, was created and emailed to members of the SHEA Research Network (SRN), a national consortium of healthcare facilities collaborating on IPC research, from August - October 2023. Survey answers were collated via Redcap© and descriptive results were obtained. Results: Forty-two individuals (33 HEs, 7 directors of IPC, and 2 IPs) from unique institutions completed the survey. Thirty (71.4%) were from academic medical centers, 5 (11.9%) were from VA medical centers and 7 (16.7%) were from community hospitals. Over half of participants correctly estimated the amount of waste and carbon emissions produced annually by the US healthcare system (6 million tons and 8.5% of national emissions, respectively). However, only 42.9% considered environmental sustainability concerns important or very important when making IPC decisions. Fifteen (34.9%) had an environmental sustainability committee at their institution and of these, 8 had an established relationship with the IPC department. The most common techniques to promote sustainability amongst institutions were water/energy conservation (59.5%), reusable personal protective equipment (52.4%) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification (47.6%). When asked which efforts they would support at their institution, 28.6% would eliminate the use of single-use endoscopes and one third would avoid use of ethylene oxide for sterilization. In deciding whether to support environmental sustainability measures, key considerations participants articulated were patient safety concerns, knowledge about effectiveness and costs, and administrative support. Conclusion: Although there is growing awareness around the contribution of the healthcare industry to carbon emissions and waste production, IPC professionals have not yet universally adopted measures to promote environmental sustainability. In our survey, many participants acknowledged the importance of balancing patient safety and sustainability concerns. Our study demonstrates the need for more research and education to inform decisions around environmentally sustainable efforts in IPC that also preserve patient safety. Additionally, professional and regulatory bodies must acknowledge and promote the importance of environmental sustainability in IPC decision-making.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is critical in neonatal units to prevent healthcare-associated infections, yet research on IPC has primarily focused on healthcare workers, overlooking the role of family caregivers. In low-resource settings, mothers often take on essential caregiving responsibilities including IPC-related tasks, both a logistic necessity and a cultural norm, but their perspectives and experiences remain underexplored. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore mothers' experiences and perceptions of IPC in a neonatal unit in Gaborone, Botswana. Understanding maternal involvement in IPC is essential for developing effective interventions, particularly in settings where health systems face workforce shortages and resource constraints. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal unit between June and December 2022. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Six themes were identified. Major themes related to (1) mothers' strong sense of responsibility for IPC and concerns about infection risks, (2) health system constraints (including supply shortages) that limited consistent IPC practice, (3) competing demands within restricted visiting times that required mothers to balance IPC with feeding and bonding, (4) variable communication with health care workers (HCWs) and limited comfort reminding staff about IPC, and (5) peer dynamics between mothers, including mutual reminders as well as tensions arising from shared feeding equipment. A minor theme that emerged was (6) mothers' emotional distress and its perceived impact on remembering and enacting IPC behaviours. Overall, mothers described high motivation to protect their infants but reported that time pressures, insufficient communication with HCWs, and resource limitations constrained IPC adherence, underscoring the need for structured IPC orientation and ongoing support for families in neonatal care. Mothers in this neonatal unit viewed themselves as key partners in IPC and were highly motivated to protect their infants, but their ability to consistently follow IPC practices was constrained by limited supplies, staffing pressures, restricted time for caregiving and bonding, and variable communication with HCWs. Mothers also expressed concerns about HCW adherence to IPC and described how emotional distress and peer dynamics could shape IPC behaviour. These findings underscore the need for structured IPC education and support for mothers in neonatal units, and the importance of integrating family-centred IPC policies into neonatal care. Future research should evaluate interventions that strengthen caregiver support, improve communication, and address contextual barriers and constraints to sustained IPC practice.

Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention and Control in Low- and Middle-income Countries: Current Status and Best Practices.

Introduction COVID-19 highlighted the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) across all settings. As children are important transmitters of infection, teachers and schools play an important role in infection prevention. The aim of this study is to understand attitudes towards, and knowledge of IPC in schools post-Covid, and highlight any gaps in the training and resources needed. Methods An online survey of 1000 primary and secondary school teachers was carried out across England. Pearson’s chi-squared test, corrected for survey design, was used to test for differences in proportions across levels of categorical variables. Two qualitative workshops with eight head teachers were carried out to gather more in-depth information. Results 1000 teachers completed the survey across a range of teaching roles. Respondents reported that IPC measures are now less frequently implemented than during the pandemic. 71% of respondents say their role has changed since the pandemic, now having more responsibility for pupil health and hygiene; higher in primary versus secondary school teachers (31% v 25%; p < 0.05). 1/3 felt this change was permanent; 84% had no IPC training. Knowledge gaps were identified in the areas of IPC roles within schools, and IPC measures. 72% teachers claim they feel better prepared to deal with a public health outbreak compared to pre-pandemic, although 22% do not have an updated IPC policy; 35% had unmet needs. Conclusions Schools and teachers play a pivotal role in preventing the spread of communicable disease, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers need, and more importantly want, more IPC training. Training and updated policies would support the educational workforce who feel their needs are not being met. Providing more streamlined, consistent, clear and concise information from trusted sources is required. Key messages • It is imperative to understand educators’ role in IPC in schools as they are key players in supporting local and national efforts to reduce the spread of infections. • Teachers desire further training with comprehensive information, and up-to-date policies to support their infection prevention and control efforts in educational settings.

PTB Reports,2022,8,2,57-68.DOI:10.5530/PTB.2022.8.8Published:July 2022Type:Review ArticleAuthors:Dr. Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Anhar Alyousef, Mohammed Mominul Islam, Maha Hussein Almadany, Fatimah Abdaziz Almana, and Nora Saeed Alsolami Author(s) affiliations:Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clin Pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE Critical Care Clinical Pharmacists TPN Clinical Pharmacist, Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor, and Data Analyst, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Anhar Alyousef, Pharm D Innova Healthcare Company, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Mohammed Mominul Islam, MBBS, MPH, MSc, Deputy Director, Department of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA. Maha Hussein Almadany, BSc. Pharm. Health Care Quality Management Professional Diploma (HCQM), Pharmacy Quality, Department King Salman bin Abdulaziz Medical City, Al Madina Al Monwarah, SAUDI ARABIA. Fatimah Abdaziz Almana, BSc, MSc, MSHA, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, SAUDI ARABIA. Nora Saeed Alsolami, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Pharm Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Abstract:Objectives: In this study, we aimed to illustrate pharmacy infection control environmental and workplace policy as a new initiative in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a narrative review. It relates to pharmacy infection Prevention and control. The following databases were searched for literature review-medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Topics were explored in line with the objectives of the study. The period of the search was from 1960 to October 2021. The search language was English. The literature search included narrative review, systemic review, meta-analysis, and related guidelines. The search also included policies related to hospitals as well as community pharmacy services. A research team was formed. It included clinical pharmacists, expert pharmacists, and infection control specialists. The policy was drafted by the some authors. The other pharmacists were vested with the responsibility of reviewing the draft. The infection control specialist reviewed issues related to the field of its specialty. The review highlighted pharmacy environmental Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and workplace policies and procedures. Results: The environmental and workplace policies of pharmacy infection control consisted of various items. For example, policies regarding the handling of carpet and furniture, clothes, water and solutions, air handling systems, sinks and toilet, and the kitchen. In addition to the maintenance of sterile and nonsterile compounding areas, the point of dispensing at ambulatory care services, drug distribution at inpatient pharmacy, and the types of disinfectants to be used, including their indications and safety. Conclusion: Environmental and workplace policies and procedures are new initiatives for Pharmacy Infection Prevention and Control (PIPC) in Saudi Arabia. Such initiatives would keep the preparation of medication and dispensing area clean and sterile by preventing the growth of any bacteria or any other microorganisms. The quality of safe drug dispensing and patient safety are being ensured too. Therefore, environmental and workplace policies are highly recommended for implementation in Saudi Arabia. Keywords:Environment, Infection control, Pharmacy, Saudi Arabia, WorkplaceView:PDF (595.67 KB) PDF PDF Images Flow diagram of choosing the disinfectant for environmental and workplaces

PTB Reports,2022,8,2,77-83.DOI:10.5530/PTB.2022.8.10Published:July 2022Type:Review ArticleAuthors:Dr. Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Anhar Alyousef, Mohammed Mominul Islam, Nahed Rashid Alyami, Maha Hussein Almadany, and Fatimah Abdaziz Almana Author(s) affiliations:Dr. Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clin Pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE Critical Care Clinical Pharmacists TPN Clinical Pharmacist, Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor, and Data Analyst, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Anhar Alyousef, Pharm D Innova Healthcare Company, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA. Mohammed Mominul Islam, MBBS, MPH, MSc, Deputy Director, Department of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA. Nahed Rashid Alyami, BSc, Mphil, BCPS, BCCCP, CPHQ Head of Clinical Pharmacy Unit, ID and ICU Senior Clinical Pharmacist, Jubail General Hospital, Jubail, SAUDI ARABIA. Maha Hussein Almadany, BSc. Pharm. Health Care Quality Management Professional Diploma (HCQM), Pharmacy Quality, Department King Salman bin Abdulaziz Medical City, Al Madina Al Monwarah, SAUDI ARABIA. Fatimah Abdaziz Almana, BSc, MSc, MSHA, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, SAUDI ARABIA. Abstract:Objectives: Pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance is an initiative that provides insights into pharmacy infection control. It involves various guidelines and policies that must be followed to ensure the pharmacy environment and workplace are secured from infections. Different approaches have been considered for the measures to be effective. Documentation of pharmacy practices in every area of the pharmacy department is vital in controlling the pharmacy infections. This study aimed to explore the pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance policy in pharmacy practice as a new initiative in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a narrative review of pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance pharmacy practice. Litterateur searched. A literature search was performed using various databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, about specific pharmacy practice infection control policies and procedures. The search period was from the 1960s until October 2021. The terms were in English and included narrative review, systemic review, metaanalysis, and guidelines across all hospitals and community pharmacy services. Moreover, the national and international guidelines of were searched that relates to the study objectives. The committee of pharmacy research formulated and consisted of various experts, including clinical pharmacists, drug information pharmacists, and infection control specialists. Some authors drafted the policy guidelines, and others reviewed and corrected them. The additional author, an infection control specialist, revised the final document. The study emphasizes the pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance of the Pharmacy infection control policy. Results: The Pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance policy consisted of pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance steps in pharmacy practice. The pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance contained multiple performances: infected prepared medications, type of bugs, and sensitivity patterns to medications. In addition to the number of spillage cleaning and needle-stick injuries, the number of cross-tarnsmission of infections. Besides, the search also included adherence to infection control guidelines. Conclusion: Pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance policy is a new pharmacy infection prevention and control initiative. The pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance policy enhances the infection control documentation system. Additionally, it encourages pharmacists to follow infection prevention and control regulations in various locations throughout the public and healthcare systems. Therefore, pharmacoepidemiology and infection control surveillance policies strongly recommend Saudi Arabian pharmacy pratices. Keywords:Control, Infection, Pharmacoepidemiology, Pharmacy, SurveillanceView:PDF (268.25 KB) PDF PDF Images Pharmacoepimedilogy and infection control surveillances steps flow chart.

Background : Universal precaution as a strategy recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in efforts to prevent infection and disease transmission among health workers, through the hospital Infection prevention and control (IPC) committee seeks to protect health workers and patients of the risk of transmitting the infection . Purpose : To determine the factors associated with the application of universal precautions in the prevention of infectious disease transmission in nurses at Lamaddukelleng Hospital, Wajo district. Method : A descriptive quantitative using cross-sectional design. The population is nurses at Lamaddukelleng Hospital, especially nurses in the emergency ward, with a total sampling of 28 respondents. Results: The Chi-Square test finding factor of nurses had a trained with p-value = 0.001 which shows that the nurses had a trained has a significant relationship to the application of universal precautions by nurses, while the availability of Infection prevention and control equipment facilities is p-value = 0.557 and the monitoring factor is p-value = 0.274, showing no relationship to the application of universal precautions by nurses. Conclusion : Shows that 75% of respondents have applied universal precautions. Suggestions to hospital management to be paying attention to provide Infection prevention and control equipment facilities and provide regular training, especially related to Infection Prevention and Control.

A Needs-Assessment Survey of Healthcare Professionals Accountable for Infection Prevention and Control in Hemodialysis Setting

BackgroundHospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are major global health challenges. Drug-resistant infectious diseases continue to rise in developing countries, driven by shortfalls in infection control measures, antibiotic misuse, and scarcity of reliable diagnostics. These escalating global challenges have highlighted the importance of strengthening fundamental infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and implementing effective antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). This study aims to present a framework for enhancing IPC measures and ASP efforts to reduce the HAI and AMR burden in Bangladesh.MethodsThis implementation approach will employ a mixed-methods strategy, combining both quantitative and qualitative data from 12 tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh. A baseline assessment will be conducted using the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) developed by the WHO. We will record IPC practices through direct observations of hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization, and hospital ward IPC infrastructure. Additionally, data on healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding IPC and antibiotic prescribing will be collected using both structured questionnaires and qualitative interviews. We will also assist the hospital leadership with establishing and/or strengthening IPC and ASP committees. Based on baseline assessments of each healthcare facility, tailored interventions and quality improvement projects will be designed and implemented. An end-line assessment will also be conducted after 12 months of intervention using the same assessment tools. The findings will be compared with the baseline to determine changes in IPC and antibiotic stewardship practices.DiscussionComprehensive assessments of healthcare facilities in low-resource settings are crucial for strengthening IPC measures and ASP activities,. This approach to assessing existing IPC and ASP activities will provide policy-relevant data for addressing current shortfalls. Moreover, this framework proposes identifying institutionally-tailored solutions, which will ensure that response activities are appropriately contextualized, aligned with stakeholder priorities, and offer sustainable solutions.ConclusionFindings from this study can guide the design and implementation of feasible and sustainable interventions in resource-constrained healthcare settings to address gaps in existing IPC and ASP activities. Therefore, this protocol will be applicable across a broad range of settings to improve IPC and ASP and reduce the burden of hospital-acquired infections and AMR.

BackgroundCritical Access Hospitals (CAH) may face challenges with limited resources in their infection prevention and control (IPC) program. As part of the Project Firstline collaborative, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its clinical partner Nebraska Medicine sought to identify needs and develop resources to mitigate IPC program gaps in small and rural hospitals, including CAHs. Since, little is known about the resources needed by CAHs to strengthen their IPC program, a needs assessment survey was deployed to Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VII CAHs.MethodsA 49-question Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) survey was distributed via email to infection preventionists in Region VII CAHs. The survey had 4 sections with questions focused on IPC program infrastructure, competency-based training, audit and feedback, and identification and isolation of high-risk pathogens/serious communicable diseases. An IPC practice score was assigned to each CAH by totaling “yes” responses. A “no” or “not sure” response was considered an IPC gap. Respondents who selected “no” were asked to identify resources that would assist in mitigating identified gaps. Descriptive analyses evaluated frequency of gaps and most cited resources. Welch t-test was used to study differences in IPC practice score between states.Results50 CAHs (33 in NE, 16 in IA and 1 in KS) and 1 small NE hospital (not licensed as CAH but included in the analyses as CAH) participated in the survey. Majority (n=38) responded to all sections with IPC scores ranging from 13 to 48. There was no significant difference between IPC practice scores of CAHs in NE and IA (average score 33 vs 36; p = 0.38). Specific IPC practice gaps present in > 50% of CAHs were related to audit and feedback practices (Table 1). Additional gaps included lack of drug diversion program, absence of input from IPC team prior to purchasing equipment and failure to conduct risk assessment for the laboratory. Most CAHs cited a standardized audit tool and staff training materials as much needed resources (Table 1).Table 1. Needs/Resources for the identified Infection Prevention and Control Gaps.ConclusionMajor IPC gaps exist in CAHs with many of them related to implementing audit and feedback practices that are an essential component of a successful IPC program. Focus should be directed on developing resources to mitigate identified IPC gaps.DisclosuresM. Salman Ashraf, MBBS, Merck & Co. Inc (Grant/Research Support, I have recieved grant funding for an investigator initiated research project from Merck & Con. Inc. However, I do not see any direct conflict of interest related to the submitted abstract)

Transitioning an Infection Prevention and Control Program to a New Outpatient Hospital-Based Cancer Center