Implementation of surveillance, prevention and control of healthcare-associated infection in maternal and child healthcare institutions: A nationwide investigation report

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the implementation of surveillance, prevention and control measures for healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in maternal and child healthcare (MCH) institutions, and provide policy evidence for optimizing HAI prevention and control in MCH institutions. Methods Stratified sampling was conducted among the MCH institutions at provincial, municipal and county levels in 8 provinces/autonomous regions. A unified questionnaire was designed and the online survey was conducted through "Questionnaire Star". Results The data from 123 MCH institutions were included in the analysis. 90.24% of the MCH institutions carried out comprehensive surveillance on HAI. The ratios of MCH institutions which implemented targeted surveillance on HAI in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), surgical site infection, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and HAI in intensive care units (non-NICU excluded) were 89.66%, 85.96%, 80.77%, and 74.19%, respectively. 51.22% MCH institutions adopted information surveillance system on HAI cases. 94.31% MCH institutions carried out surveillance on hand hygiene compliance. Over 90% MCH institutions carried out surveillance on environment hygiene in high-risk departments. 71.54% MCH institutions conducted centralized cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and supply for reusable medical instruments in the central sterile supply department (CSSD). Over 90% MCH institutions established three-level pre-examination triage systems. 86.18% set up transitional wards. MCH institutions generally adopted a management model with established effective communication, full appointment visits, and separate visits for special medical groups, such as registered pregnant women, high-risk newborns, healthcare groups, and long-term rehabilitation patients. However, the ratio of institutions conducting on-line follow-up visits was less than 50%. Conclusion MCH institutions have generally carried out comprehensive and targeted surveillance on HAI. Information surveillance need to be facilitated. Hand hygiene and environmental hygiene surveillance has been popularized to a certain extent at all levels of MCH institutions. The cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and supply processes of reusable medical devices in a few MCH institutions are not standardized. Special medical populations get effective management. On-line healthcare is to be further promoted.