Implementation of WHO <i>Core Competencies of Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners</i> – a practical approach_West China Medical Journal

Authors：

 Patricia Ching, Tai Yin

RN, CPHQ WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Infection Control, School of Public Health, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China;

Corresponding author：

Patricia Ching, Tai Yin, Email: chingpty@yahoo.com.hk

Keywords：

Core competencies; infection prevention and control; practical approach

DOI：

10.7507/1002-0179.202302051

Video：

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Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

World Health Organization (WHO) published Core Competencies of Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners in 2020. This WHO document is a very useful guide for implementing the core competencies among infection prevention and control professionals (IPCPs). It is useful for standardisation of the competencies in the field of infection control through relevant formal training, practicum and assessment. This paper explains the framework of the WHO-list of core competencies in relation to the role and responsibilities of IPCPs. The value of introducing core competencies to IPCPs is really vital in the recognition of infection prevention and control as a medical specialty field. The IPCPs core competencies is also an essential guide for practitioners to advance in their professional and career development from novice to expert in the infection prevention and control field.

Citation： Patricia Ching, Tai Yin. Implementation of WHO Core Competencies of Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners – a practical approach. West China Medical Journal, 2023, 38(3): 326-330. doi: 10.7507/1002-0179.202302051 Copy

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1. World Health Organization. Guidelines on core components of infection prevention and control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2016.
2. World Health Organization. Interim practical manual supporting national implementation of the WHO Guidelines on Core Components of Infection Prevention and Control Programmes. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2017.
3. World Health Organization. Improving infection prevention and control at the health facility: interim practical manual supporting implementation of the WHO Guidelines on Core Components of Infection Prevention and Control Programmes. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2018.
4. World Health Organization. Minimum requirements for infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2019.
5. World Health Organization. Core competencies for infection prevention and control professionals. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2020.
6. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Core competencies for infection control and hospital hygiene professionals in the European Union. Stockholm: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2013.
7. Bubb TN, Billings C, Berriel-Cass D, et al. APIC professional and practice standards. Am J Infect Control, 2016, 44(7): 745-749.
8. World Health Organization. Handbook for national quality policy and strategy. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2018.
9. Dick A PE, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, Zwanziger J, et al. A decade of investment infection prevention: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Am J Infect Control, 2015, 43(1): 4-9.
10. World Health Organization. Infection prevention and control: core components for IPC - implementation tools and resources. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2019.
11. World Health Organization. WHO multimodal improvement strategy. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2017.
12. World Health Organization. Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2015.
13. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the prevention and control of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in health care facilities. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2017.
14. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Economic evaluations of interventions to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Stockholm: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2017.
15. Siegel JD, Rhinehart E, Jackson M, et al. Guideline for isolation precautions: preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings (2007). Am J Infect Control, 2007, 35(10 Suppl 2): 65-164.
16. World Health Organization. Infection prevention and control of epidemic-and pandemic-prone acute respiratory infections in health care. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2014.
17. World Health Organization. Guidelines on tuberculosis infection prevention and control, 2019 update. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2019.
18. World Health Organization. Natural ventilation for infection control in health-care settings. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2009.
19. World Health Organization. Decontamination and reprocessing of medical devices for health care facilities. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2016.
20. O’Grady NP, Alexander M, Burns LA, et al. Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. Clin Infect Dis, 2011, 52(9): 162-193.
21. Gould CV, Umscheid CA, Agarwal RK, et al. Guideline for prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections 2009. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2010, 31(4): 319-326.
22. World Health Organization. Surgical site infection tools and resources. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2018.
23. Tablan OC, Anderson LJ, Besser R, et al. Guideline for preventing healthcare-associated pneumonia, 2003. MMWR Recomm Rep, 2004, 53(RR-3): 1-36.
24. Klompas M, Branson R, Cawcutt K, et al. Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2022, 43(6): 687-713.
25. World Health Organization. Disease outbreak toolboxes. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2020.
26. World Health Organization. Patient safety: making health care safer. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2017.
27. Cleghorn GD, Headrick L. The PDSA cycle at the core of learning in health profession education. Jt Comm J Qual Improv, 1996, 22(3): 206-212.
28. World Health Organization. WHO patient safety curriculum guide: multi-professional edition. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2011.
29. United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Patient Safety. Root cause analysis. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center forPatient Safety, 2010.
30. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workplace safety and health for healthcare workers. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Washington, D.C.: United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017.
31. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Immunization of health-care personnel: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep, 2011, 60(RR-7): 1-45.
32. World Health Organization, International Labour Organization. Occupational safety and health in public health emergencies: a manual for protecting health workers and responders. Geneva: World Health Organization and International Labour Organization, 2018.

West China Medical Journal

Implementation of WHO Core Competencies of Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners – a practical approach

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