Positive infection prevention and control programs in health care facilities are based on considerate the facility’s problems or needs, prioritizing activities, and using available resources effectively. Assets are always limited, so careful planning, application, and evaluation of IPC actions are essential, whether in a minor clinic or a busy region hospital.
In many locations, infection investigation systems, microbiology laboratory resources to classify the cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and treatment options for infections are limited. Thus, IPC is not only the most cost-effective option but also the best strategy presented to protect patients and limit the spread of disease within health care facilities.
Key Terms of IPC
- Hazard is any source of potential injury, harm, or other adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions. For example, blood and body fluids are hazards that can cause contagion from bloodborne pathogens, or insertion of a urinary catheter without the next recommended aseptic defenses is a hazard that can cause urinary tract infections. Overall, the types of hazards comprising biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, and safety are in need of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant.
- Infection prevention and control (IPC) board is a formally established, interdisciplinary group of health care facilities appointed to oversee the application of IPC programs according to the national IPC policy and guidelines to minimize the risk of contagions for patients and employees.
- Infection prevention and control (IPC) mission force is a temporary group of health care capacity staff created under one leader for the determination of accomplishing a definite objective, e.g., improve compliance with hand hygiene, or advance the quality of instrument processing at the hospital.
- Jeopardy is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if unprotected to a hazard. For example, if blood and body fluids are the hazard and infection with bloodborne germs is the harm, the chance of harm happening is the risk.
