Global Report on Infection Prevention and Control

Overview

The WHO global report on infection prevention and control (IPC) provides a global situation analysis of how IPC programmes are being implemented in countries around the world, according to evidence from the scientific literature and various reports, and new data from WHO studies. It also highlights the harm to patients and health workers caused by health care-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance, addresses the impact and cost-effectiveness of IPC programmes and the strategies and resources available to countries to improve them. Primarily, this document targets those in charge of making decisions and formulating policies in the field of IPC at the national, subnational and facility levels

Executive summary

The WHO global report on infection prevention and control Over the last decade, major outbreaks such as those due to the Ebola virus disease and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, have demonstrated how epidemic-prone pathogens can spread rapidly through health care settings. These events have exposed the gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes that exist irrespective of the resources available or the national level of income. Furthermore, other less-visible health emergencies are also a compelling reason to address gaps in IPC, such as the silent endemic burden of health care-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which harm patients every day across all health care systems.

This Executive summary provides a synthesis of the first World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global report on infection prevention and control. Therefore, it highlights the burden of infection and AMR and the related harm to both patients and health workers in health care settings. It presents a global situation analysis of the implementation of IPC programmes as well as an overview of the strategies and resources that are available to improve the situation in countries.

While identifying key gaps and achievements at country and global level, the report sets priorities and offers guidance on the implementation of IPC interventions. It demonstrates the impact and cost–effectiveness of IPC interventions. Moreover, it highlights the importance of integration and alignment of IPC interventions with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) strategies in the context of broader efforts to address AMR, health emergencies, and the quality and safety of health care.

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