Society-Based Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines After COVID-19: A Delphi Study

Background: Current infection prevention and control guidelines, protocols, and practices for public, outside healthcare facilities are not adequate as evidenced by increasing rates of infections and outbreaks. This study proposed to formulate a consensus on the guidelines that would then govern future public health-related infection prevention and control practices. Methods: A three-round Delphi technique was used to generate experts' consensus on the development and required modifications of the current IPC guidelines to address public safety. Eighteen infection prevention and control practitioners and experts were interviewed individually during the three rounds. Results: Three themes identified during the first round: first, policies and regulations; second, curricula reforms and education for all levels (such as kindergartens, schoolers, and the public); and third, the content of the IPC public manual. Results from Rounds I, II, and III changed a few subcategories until experts agreed on the themes and the subthemes. It is required that one department be responsible for providing IPC and the needed training of employees and public individuals in nonhealthcare institutes. Conclusion: Through a semistructured Delphi consensus process, this study formulated key guidelines for society-based IPC outside the healthcare settings. The resulting consensus emphasizes the need for standardized policies and regulations, comprehensive education across all societal levels, and a unified public IPC manual. Crucially, the findings mandate establishing a designated authority responsible for coordinating IPC implementation training and oversight across all nonhealthcare sectors to enhance public safety post-COVID-19.