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A panel of experts was convened by the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) to overview evidence based strategies to reduce the transmission of pathogens via the hands of healthcare workers and the subsequent incidence of hospital acquired infections with a focus on implementing these strategies in low-and middle-income countries. Existing data suggests that hospital patients in low-and middle-income countries are exposed to rates of healthcare associated infections at least 2-fold higher than in high income countries. In addition to the universal challenges to the implementation of effective hand hygiene strategies, hospitals in low-and middle-income countries face a range of unique barriers, including overcrowding and securing a reliable and sustainable supply of alcohol-based handrub. The WHO Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy and its associated resources represent an evidence-based framework for developing a locally-adapted implementation plan for hand hygiene promotion.

Despite remarkable developments in the use of surgical techniques, ergonomic advancements in the operating room, and implementation of bundles, surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a substantial burden, associated with increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. National and international recommendations to prevent SSIs have been published, including recent guidelines by the World Health Organization, but implementation into clinical practice remains an unresolved issue. SSI improvement programs require an integrative approach with measures taken during the pre-, intra- and postoperative care from the numerous stakeholders involved. The current SSI prevention strategies have focused mainly on the role of healthcare workers (HCWs) and procedure related risk factors. The importance and influence of patient participation is becoming an increasingly important concept and advocated as a means to improve patient safety. Novel interventions supporting an active participative role within SSI prevention programs have not been assessed. Empowering patients with information they require to engage in the process of SSI prevention could play a major role for the implementation of recommendations. Based on available scientific evidence, a panel of experts evaluated options for patient involvement in order to provide pragmatic recommendations for pre-, intra- and postoperative activities for the prevention of SSIs. Recommendations were based on existing guidelines and expert opinion. As a result, 9 recommendations for the surgical patient are presented here, including a practice brief in the form of a patient information leaflet. HCWs can use this information to educate patients and allow patient engagement.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13756-017-0202-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs may contribute to the transmission of influenza-like illness (ILI) to colleagues and susceptible patients by working while sick (presenteeism). The present study aimed to explore the views and behavior of HCWs and non-HCWs towards the phenomenon of working while experiencing ILI. Methods The study was a cross-sectional online survey conducted between October 2018 and January 2019 to explore sickness presenteeism and the behaviour of HCWs and non-HCWs

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OBJECTIVETo assess the prevalence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in mainland China.DESIGNSystematic review and meta-analysis.SETTINGAdults and children from secondary and tertiary acute-care hospitals in mainland China.METHODSWe searched PubMed, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan Fang for multicenter point-prevalence surveys of acute-care hospitals in mainland China from January 2006 to August 2016. All reports related to HAI, using a point-prevalence methodology and published either in English or Chinese were eligible.RESULTSIn total, 3,021 publications were identified; 115 were eligible for quality assessment and data abstraction. The weighted HAI prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) overall, in general hospitals, children's hospitals, maternal and child health hospitals, and oncology hospitals were 3.12% (95% CI, 2.94%-3.29%), 3.02% (95% CI, 2.79%-3.26%), 4.43% (95% CI, 3.39%-5.47%), 1.88% (95% CI, 1.47%-2.29%), and 3.96% (95% CI, 3.12%-4.79%), respectively. In general hospitals, prevalence was highest in adult intensive care units (26.07%; 95% CI, 23.03%-29.12%), followed by surgery (3.26%; 95% CI, 2.96%-3.57%), and internal medicine (3.06%; 95% CI, 2.67%-3.46%). Overall, lower respiratory tract infection was the most frequent HAI (24,185, 47.28%), followed by urinary tract infection (5,773, 11.29%) and upper respiratory tract infection (5,194, 10.15%). Gram-negative bacilli were the most frequently isolated pathogens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3,395, 14.91%), and Escherichia coli (2,918, 12.82%) were the most common single microorganisms.CONCLUSIONSThis study is the largest systematic review on the prevalence of HAI in mainland China. These results provide a benchmark for future PPSs and a reference for infection prevention and control strategies in mainland China.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:701-709.

feedback of IPC indicators was reported by 65.9%. Only 12.5% of countries had all core components in place. Conclusion: Most countries have IPC programme and guidelines, but many less have invested adequate resources and translated them in implementation and monitoring, particularly in low-income countries. Leadership support at the national and global level is needed to achieve implementation of the core components in all countries.