Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are infections that develop during healthcare delivery and were not present or incubating at the time of admission. They can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs and adverse patient outcomes. Consistent implementation of evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) practices is essential to minimise these risks and improve patient safety.
1. Strengthen Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing the transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
Key practices:
Follow the WHO's Five Moments for Hand Hygiene.
Ensure hand hygiene products are accessible at points of care.
Provide regular staff training and monitor compliance.
Remember that gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
2. Use Personal Protective Equipment Correctly
Standard Precautions should be followed for every patient, with personal protective equipment (PPE) selected according to the anticipated exposure and transmission risk.
Key practices:
Use appropriate gloves, gowns, masks and eye protection when indicated.
Follow correct procedures for putting on and removing PPE.
Maintain adequate supplies and provide regular staff training.
Reinforce respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
3. Improve Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection
Contaminated surfaces and inadequately reprocessed equipment can contribute to infection transmission.
Key practices:
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly.
Follow approved disinfectant instructions and contact times.
Disinfect shared equipment between patients.
Ensure reusable medical devices undergo appropriate reprocessing.
4. Prevent Device-Associated Infections
Urinary catheters, central lines and ventilator equipment can increase infection risk when insertion and maintenance practices are inadequate.
Key practices:
Insert devices only when clinically indicated.
Follow aseptic insertion and maintenance protocols.
Review the need for invasive devices regularly.
Remove devices as soon as they are no longer necessary.
5. Promote Antimicrobial Stewardship and Surveillance
Appropriate antimicrobial use and systematic infection monitoring help address antimicrobial resistance and identify potential infection control gaps.
Key practices:
Prescribe antimicrobials only when clinically indicated.
Review treatment based on clinical progress and microbiological results.
Monitor infection rates and local antimicrobial resistance patterns.
Investigate unusual increases in infections promptly.
Key Takeaway
Effective infection prevention requires a coordinated approach involving healthcare professionals, infection control teams and hospital leadership. Consistent hand hygiene, appropriate PPE use, environmental cleaning, safe device management and antimicrobial stewardship can help reduce preventable infections and strengthen patient safety.
This article is intended for healthcare professional education. Clinical teams should follow current national and institutional infection prevention policies and pathogen-specific guidance. Recommendations should be adapted to the relevant healthcare setting.