The efficacy of infection prevention and control committees in Lesotho: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The implementation of the core components of infection prevention and control (IPC) recommended by the World Health Organization faces severe challenges, particularly in developing countries. Given that hospital IPC committees in these countries are the key implementers of IPC, there is a need to evaluate their effectiveness. This study qualitatively evaluated the effectiveness of IPC committees in the southern African country of Lesotho with the aim of identifying themes for policy discourse on improving IPC practice in the country.

METHODS

Data gathering was conducted through open interviews with purposefully selected key informant IPC committee members and relevant officials at the Ministry of Health, whereas data analysis was based on grounded theory.

RESULTS

Despite their commitment, IPC committees were largely ineffective because of 5 major barriers, namely poor sense of competence, administrative constraints, inadequate financial support, role uncertainty, and negative staff attitudes. Poor IPC governance was found to be a central barrier to the effectiveness of IPC committees in Lesotho.

CONCLUSIONS

The import of this study is that effective IPC governance is key to improving the IPC program in Lesotho. Effective leadership with the necessary competencies is needed to steer the IPC program in the country.

Managing and leading the infection prevention initiative

AIM

To review the national response to health care-associated infection and that of nurses in particular.

BACKGROUND

Health care-associated infections have emerged as a significant threat to quality care and preventing it is now a national priority.

EVALUATION

This paper considers the key government initiatives to address health care-associated infection.

KEY ISSUES

The government has adopted a multifaceted approach to tackle this problem, the most crucial of which was to develop the evidence base to support practice. Now that is established, education and training have become the next priority.

CONCLUSION

While health care-associated infection remains a government priority, trusts will find it difficult to meet the demands of the Code of Practice and fulfil other government priorities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Managers need to be aware of the extent of the problem, its causes and the initiatives both nationally and locally to address the situation so that they can maintain support for these initiatives.

Reducing the risk of acquiring antimicrobial-resistant bacteria

Antimicrobial-resistant organisms have become a major issue for all healthcare staff. The Government, media and public are now calling for action to be taken to minimize the risk of acquiring such an infection when admitted to any healthcare setting. Although it is impossible to completely remove the risk of acquiring infection, there are methods already available to healthcare staff and the public that would help to reduce the number of antimicrobial-resistant infections that occur. The National Audit Office (2000) has estimated that if the guidelines already in place were adhered to, the rate of hospital-acquired infections could be reduced by between 15% and 30%. Their use would also help reduce the amount of antimicrobial drugs prescribed and may lower the risk of further development of antimicrobial-resistant microbes. This article examines microbial resistance, sources of infection and discusses the measures that can be taken to reduce the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant infection that occur within the healthcare setting.