Infection control practices in facilities for highly infectious diseases across Europe.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Healthcare Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Managing patients with highly infectious diseases (HIDs) presents significant challenges in healthcare settings.
• Ensuring patient and healthcare worker safety is paramount during the care of HIDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess infection control practices in isolation facilities within the European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases (EuroNHID) project.
• Identify areas for improvement in infection prevention and control for HIDs.

Main Methods:

• A 2009 survey of 48 isolation facilities across 16 European countries.
• Data collection via checklists and evaluation forms focusing on hand hygiene, routine hygiene, disinfection, and waste management.

Main Results:

• 40% of facilities lacked non-hand-operated sinks or alcohol-based antiseptic dispensers.
• 27% had inadequate procedures for routine hygiene, final disinfection, or safe disposal of equipment.
• Significant variation observed in waste management and housekeeping personnel training.

Conclusions:

• Most European HIDs isolation facilities demonstrate partially adequate infection control measures.
• Considerable variability exists, particularly in waste management and housekeeping staff training.
• The EuroNHID project has established recommendations to enhance infection control practices.