Infection prevention and control in outpatient settings in China-structure, resources, and basic practices

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a growing threat to outpatients in China, with over 7 billion annual visits.
• Limited understanding exists regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) structures, resources, and practices in ambulatory care settings.
• This study addresses the knowledge gap concerning IPC in Chinese outpatient facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current state of infection prevention and control.
• To identify structural, infrastructural, and practical aspects of IPC in ambulatory facilities.
• To evaluate resource availability and basic IPC activities in outpatient settings across China.

Main Methods:

• A 2014 multisite survey was conducted across five geographically dispersed Chinese provinces.
• Self-assessment questionnaires were distributed to 150 ambulatory facilities (125 hospitals, 25 community health centers).
• Questionnaires covered IPC structure, infrastructure, materials, and activities, with weighted scoring for importance.

Main Results:

• A high participation rate of 97.3% (146/150 facilities) was achieved.
• The average IPC survey score was 77.6, with significant variation across different Gross Domestic Product (GDP) areas (P < .01).
• Common infrastructure deficiencies included inadequate provision of hand hygiene equipment (43.4%) and masks (38.7%) for patients in waiting areas and entrances.

Conclusions:

• Infection prevention and control practices are generally consistent in sampled Chinese ambulatory facilities.
• Significant infrastructure gaps, particularly in patient-facing supplies, were identified.
• Addressing these lapses is crucial for enhancing patient safety and reducing HAIs in outpatient settings.