WHO: Report aims to improve health-care infection rates
The World Health Organization has highlighted the need for further investment in programs designed to prevent and control health care-associated infections.
Patients who acquire infections in health-care settings may experience complications, disability and death. These infections can also exacerbate financial and resource shortcomings in health-care facilities.
In the report, published in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO details that little progress has been made to address gaps in infection response and many patients residing in low- and middle-income countries may have a significantly higher risk of infection in health-care settings compared with those residing in high-income countries. The WHO indicates that a majority of health care-associated infections may be avoided with water, sanitation and hygiene services that also combat antimicrobial resistance. However, just 6% of infection prevention and control programs met the WHO’s minimum requirements in 2023 and 2024.
The WHO hopes that its report can help inform policymakers, infection prevention and control professionals, health-care workers and stakeholders.
Read more: WHO
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