Abstract
AbstractWater, sanitation and hygiene, collectively known as WASH, is an enabler of infection prevention and control (IPC), both of which contribute to safe, quality health care and the prevention of spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This discussion paper considers the importance placed on the role of hygiene, including cleaning and those who clean, in health care facilities, within the context of existing data, guidelines and initiatives. Informed by this, the paper presents five areas for consideration that have the potential to strengthen and further demonstrate the value of this important cadre of staff and their role in clean, safe healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The considerations centre around actions to overcome the current data gaps, including the paucity of national data on environmental cleaning and the training of cleaners; strengthening the implementation of norms and standards; combining global and national advocacy efforts; revisiting investment; and addressing research gaps on the issue. The need to act, in line with WHO and UNICEF recommendations to address this overlooked and undercompensated workforce and to elevate their status as important contributors to IPC, WASH and AMR is a pressing one.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Pharmacology (medical),Infectious Diseases,Microbiology (medical),Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Reference38 articles.
1. AMR Review. Tackling drug-resistant infections globally: final report and recommendations. London: AMR Review; 2016. https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/160518_Final%20paper_with%20cover.pdf. Accessed 8 Sept 2020.
2. Cronk R, Bartram J. Water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities: status in low and middle-income countries and way forward. World Health Organization and UNICEF; 2015. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/154588/9789241508476_eng.pdf;jsessionid=E3A6A5F2E8F62E8B2971BDB84AB37B6B?sequence=1 Accessed 25 May 2020.
3. WHO. Guidelines on core components of infection prevention and control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level. Geneva; 2016.
4. WHO. Monitoring global progress on addressing antimicrobial resistance: analysis report of the second round of results of AMR country self-assessment survey 2018; 2018.
5. Cronk R, Bartram J. Environmental conditions in health care facilities in low- and middle-income countries: coverage and inequalities. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2018;221(3):409–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.01.004.
Cited by
8 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献