Patient safety: the central axis of hospital services

In 2022, World Health Organization (WHO) published the first global report on infection prevention and control, in which he pointed out that 70% of hospital-acquired infections are prevented by following appropriate hand hygiene measures and applying other effective practices.

In presenting this report, WHO has shown the reality of hospital-acquired infections in high-income and low- and middle-income countries. In the first case, 7 out of 100 patients admitted to a hospital intensive care unit will acquire at least one nosocomial infection – an infection acquired in the hospital by a hospitalized patient for a reason other than that infection – during hospitalization. While in the latter the number rises to 15 out of every 100 patients.

In order to prevent such situations, the central axis of hospital services must be patient safety. They must apply procedures that help reduce risks in a constant and sustainable manner, while reducing the amount of damage that can be avoided.

In addition to the monetary cost that can arise from not following proper infection prevention and control protocols in hospital settings, one must think about the effects this can have on human beings.

It is estimated that every year around 143 million people worldwide suffer harm due to the lack of safety in hospital care. This situation generates a cost greater than 15% of the budget in hospitals.

Both the public and private sectors have an important role in complying with national infection prevention and control programs in hospital institutions. The state must promote the development of laws and regulations that regulate the hospital sector; while the private sector must make the necessary investments in both infrastructure and top professionals, as well as work hand in hand with specialized companies that provide infection prevention and control services in hospitals.

Hospital centers must take into account a number of aspects that make a difference and are the only way to implement effective preventive measures.

Within these infrastructures there must be a clear difference in access for patients, staff and providers. In addition, their organization must be functional, i.e. they must be divided by area and have isolation zones.

Hospital facilities must be adaptable and flexible. In other words, they must have the ability to install new spaces for attention, in case the demand requires it. In this whole dynamic, the constructive aspects that strive to avoid the spread of infectious diseases are increasingly important; air conditioning of facilities and its maintenance; as well as the application of new care practices such as telemedicine and telephone triage.

In order to avoid infections, it is necessary to take into account some generic factors concerning facilities, waste management and laundry.

Facilities must have sinks within easy reach of staff, hand drying with disposable paper towels, and near the place of care there must be a space for disinfecting equipment that comes into contact with patients and authorized places. carry out its disinfection.

Regarding waste management, special containers must be assigned and marked by area; have isolated waste treatment areas; an exclusive place for the disposal and separation of hazardous waste must be available.

In the laundry area, physical storage areas must be provided for clean clothes separated from dirty clothes, with different flow rates to avoid cross-contamination.

Adherence to each of these measures will help guarantee the quality of care in hospitals, as well as the safety of patients and healthcare staff.

He is the author General Manager EULEN Panama.