Objectives To analyze the effect of improved oven for defluorination in coal-burning endemic fluorosis areas in China, and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of fluorosis. Methods Electronic databases including CNKI, CBM, VIP and CDMD-D (1989 to 2005), were searched. We also checked the reference lists of relevant articles. We selected relevant articles according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality was assessed . Data on room heat preservation and the effect of improved oven for defluorination were collected in the surveillance spots of Three Gorges Reservoir. Correlation analyses were conducted between the improved oven and its effect parameters. Results Twelve articles of low quality met the selection criteria, of which 9 were graded C and 3 were graded D in terms of the methodological quality. A negative correlation was found between the decreasing rate of normal oven use and the decreasing rate of dental fluorosis as well as of urine fluorine (Pearson correlation coefficient r = – 0.87, – 0.63, Plt;0.01, lt;0.05, respectively). Analysis also revealed a positive correlation between room heat preservation and the decreasing rate of dental fluorosis as well as of normal oven use (the two Spearman correlation coefficients and P values were the same: r = –1.00, Plt;0.01). Conclusion High-quality studies on the effect of improved oven for defluorination in China are not available. Based on the current evidence, the improved oven for defluorination and the correct use, maintenance and house rebuilding for heat preservation may help to prevent fluorosis.
With nearly four decades of progress in healthcare-associated infection prevention and control in China, the national quality control efforts in this field have been ongoing for the past ten years, advancing rapidly with significant achievements. Over the last decade, the team of infection control professionals involved in quality management and control in China has consistently expanded, accompanied by an enhancement of their skills. Management capabilities have steadily grown, and operational mechanisms have been continuously refined. As public hospitals transition into a new phase of high-quality development, emphasizing refined management models and intrinsic development of medical quality, it becomes crucial to further fortify the foundation and foster innovation in infection control work to ensure quality. This article provides an overview of the establishment and implementation of the National Center for Quality Control of Infection Prevention and Control, examines the current shortcomings and challenges in the field, and collectively explores the positioning and direction of the development of quality control efforts for infection prevention and control in China.
Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital was built within 12 days during the key period of fighting against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan. It was a field infectious disease hospital with 1500 beds. Due to the emergency of the epidemic situation, the operation mode of “parallel of construction, acceptance, training and treatment” was employed. During the peak period, nearly 3000 medical workers and 13000 builders worked on the same site. In 67 days, 2 011 patients with COVID-19 were treated. Through the bundle infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital achieved zero infection, zero accident, and low level pollution of SARS-CoV-2 (0.3%) by environment monitoring. The bundle IPC measures of Leishenshan Hospital not only provided prevention and control experience for other field infectious disease hospitals at domestic and abroad during the period of COVID-19, but also put forward ideas and work flow for other medical institutions to deal with emerging infectious diseases.
Objective To evaluate the current status of human resources in healthcare-associated infection prevention and control (infection control) in Jiangxi Province, and explore the impact of emergency public health events on the human resources of infection control professionals in various levels and types of medical institutions. Methods From October 1st to 31st, 2023, questionnaire and on-site interviews were conducted to investigate the human resources situation of infection control professionals in various levels and types of medical institutions in Jiangxi Province. Three stages were selected for the investigation: before the outbreak of COVID-19 (before the event, December 2019), during the event (June 2022), and after the transition of COVID-19 (after the event, June 2023), focusing on the characteristics of human resources between before the event and after the event by the comparative analysis. Results Finally, 289 medical institutions were included. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of infection control professionals in medical institutions among 2019, 2022, and 2023 (χ2=189.677, P<0.001). The number of infection control professionals in 2019 was lower than that in 2022 (P<0.001) and 2023 (P<0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference between 2022 and 2023 (P=0.242). The number of infection control professionals per thousand beds in 2019, 2022, and 2023 was 4.40, 6.16, and 5.76, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between 2019 and 2023 in terms of professional titles, gender, educational level, or professional background (P>0.05). Conclusion Emergency public health events have promoted the increase in the number of infection control professionals, but there is no statistical significance in the professional titles, educational level, or professional background of infection control professionals.
Targeted initiatives of West China Hospital of Sichuan University to cope with coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic in three stages were summarized, including “three reconstructions” to mobilize in pre-epidemic stage, “three earlies” strategy to precisely treat critically ill patients in epidemic stage, and “three orderlies” to resume hospital operation in post-epidemic stage. The development of comprehensive hospitals in China after the epidemic was also discussed. It’s recommended to continuously strengthen the role of emergency response, early warning, comprehensive treatment, high-level talent training, international exchange, regional leadership, and collaborative innovation, in response to the shortcomings exposed in the epidemic.
Zhaojue is a deeply impoverished county located in Liangshan Autonomous Prefecture with high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Based on local conditions, West China Hospital of Sichuan University has established a targeted supporting mode called “three-level organization and five-in-one”. This mode integrates administrative support teams, multiple disciplinary technical support teams and on-site expert teams to achieve five goals, including building effective teams, promoting clinical practice, enhancing skill training, focusing on academics and building a systematic platform. This model has improved the ability of treatment on human immunodeficiency virus infection and overall health services in Zhaojue County. It also reflects the responsibility of West China Hospital of Sichuan University in poverty alleviation and public welfare.
Objective To investigate the organizational structure, routine management, emergency response, and material reserves related to the prevention and control of infectious diseases in maternal and child health institutions at all levels in Sichuan, and to understand the construction of emerging infectious diseases prevention and control system in maternal and child health institutions throughout the province. Methods We conducted a survey on the current situation of the epidemic prevention and control system in maternal and child health institutions using a self-developed questionnaire, which was conducted in October 2020 and July 2021, respectively. We conducted comparative analysis on the basic situation, the construction of emerging infectious disease prevention and control systems, and the setting and management of fever clinics/rooms of maternal and child health institutions at all levels in Sichuan in 2020 and 2021. Results In 2020, a total of 166 maternal and child health institutions participated in the survey, and 166 questionnaires were collected, including 17 at the provincial and municipal levels and 149 at the county level. In 2021, a total of 182 maternal and child health institutions participated in the survey, and 182 questionnaires were collected, including 17 at the provincial and municipal levels and 165 at the county level. In 2021, all levels of maternal and child health institutions in Sichuan had established epidemic prevention and control leadership groups. Compared with 2020, the construction of the emerging infectious disease prevention and control system in maternal and child health institutions at all levels in Sichuan in 2021 had improved to a certain extent in terms of establishing epidemic prevention and control leadership groups, hospital area three channel management, three-level pre-examination triage, inpatient area allocation, staff management, and patient management (P<0.05). Compared with 2020, fever clinics that met the requirements of three zones and two channels management, fever clinics that met the requirements of closed-loop management, and management of fever clinics/rooms in maternal and child health institutions at all levels in Sichuan in 2021 had improved to a certain extent (P<0.05). Conclusion Through strengthened construction during the epidemic prevention and control period, the construction of the emerging infectious disease prevention and control system in maternal and child health institutions in Sichuan has improved, but still faces continuous challenges in normalized prevention and control.
This article provides a thorough interpretation of the recommendations for implementation research in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention and control, jointly issued by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. The recommendations elaborate on the concepts, strategies, determinants, and evaluation methods of implementation research, as well as the commonly used theories, models, and frameworks (TMF) in the field of HAI prevention and control. By expounding on these TMF, this article aims to guide readers in deeply considering the scientific issues related to the implementation of hospital infection prevention and control, and to provide guidance on selecting and applying appropriate resources in specific environments and situations. The release of these recommendations aims to promote the implementation of evidence-based guidelines in medical institutions and ultimately achieve the goal of reducing the incidence of hospital infections by promoting and guiding the conduct of implementation research in the field of HAI prevention and control.
Healthcare-associated infections are common adverse events in healthcare settings, causing significant morbidity and mortality. There has been a significant increase in the commitment to Infection Prevention and Control worldwide in recent years. This important role and responsibilities are relying on the infection prevention and control practitioners (IPCPs). The competencies of IPCP is thus critical to the success of infection surveillance, prevention, and control program. IPCPs must ensure that they are competent in addressing the challenges they face and are equipped to be competent in fulfilling their duties. Core competencies and professional development of IPCP differ among countries while some are more progressive than the others. This review is aiming to be a reference to develop IPCP core competencies framework and professional development conducive for Asia Pacific region.
With the continuous development of medical technology, ambulatory surgery or day surgery is becoming a new and very efficient medical service model in China. However, infection prevention and control in ambulatory surgery center has not yet attracted the attention of infection control practitioners. This paper analyzes the necessity, status quo, and entry point of infection prevention and control work in ambulatory surgery centers. Recommendations in the field of risk assessment, engineering control, behavior management, surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship are provided to infection control practitioners as well.