The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) recently organised a three-day workshop on "Surveillance and Investigation of Healthcare-Associated Infections", with the participation of about 85 healthcare professionals, infection control specialists, lab technicians, doctors from governmental, semi-governmental and private health institutions.
The workshop held by the MoPH Infection Control and Prevention Team in cooperation with several local speakers and experts. It was aimed at identifying the best methodologies for surveillance and investigation of healthcare-associated infection cases and their role in patients’ protection and infection control and prevention in hospitals and health facilities. It also highlighted the optimal mechanism for implementing the surveillance process, mastering data collection, and identifying the proper data collection methods and techniques in health facilities and at the national level.
The workshop focused on highlighting real examples of infected patients, where participants were trained on the mechanism of conducting surveillance and investigation of acquired infections. It was also aimed at exchanging experiences, acquiring information and skills among the attendees, and increasing their competencies so that they are ready to establish surveillance and investigation systems for healthcare-related infections.
During the workshop, the factors and risks contributing to the spread of infection were discussed, and the most effective ways and strategies of infection prevention and control, as well as the components of the National Infection Prevention and Control Programme. Additionally, the workshop highlighted the importance of understanding and interpreting the necessary data and reporting based on key performance indicators.
The workshop reviewed the health service performance agreements and highlighted the best evidence-based practices for implementing the National Infection Prevention and Control Programme.
Participants in the workshop.
