National Infection Prevention and Control Programmes: Endorsing Quality of Care

在21世紀初，隨著醫藥科技進步，對於難以診斷、甚至無法治療的具攻擊性 和對抗生素抗藥的菌種，似乎有了更新的研究發現與控制策略。 本期國際醫院聯盟期刊主題為院內感染控制議題，從簡單的預防措施如洗 手、創新的抗菌技術、新的分子診斷測試和治療方法以及採用新一代抗生素、免 疫介入、甚至遺傳工程，來提高人體自身的抵抗力。

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In addition to pain and suffering, HAIs increase the cost of health care and generates indirect costs from loss of productivity for patients and society as a whole. Since 2005, the Pan American Health Organization has provided support to countries for the assessment of their capacities in infection prevention and control (IPC). More than 130 hospitals in 18 countries were found to have poor IPC programmes. However, in the midst of many competing health priorities, IPC programmes are not high on the agenda of ministries of health, and the sustainability of national programmes is not viewed as a key point in making health care systems more consistent and trustworthy. Comprehensive IPC programmes will enable countries to reduce the mobility, mortality and cost of HAIs and improve quality of care. This paper addresses the relevance of national infection prevention and control (NIPC) programmes in promoting, supporting and reinforcing IPC interventions at the level of hospitals. A strong commitment from national health authorities in support of national IPC programmes is crucial to obtaining a steady decrease of HAIs, lowering health costs due to HAIs and ensuring safer care.