Why focus on infection prevention and control (IPC) measures when combating COVID-19?
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) South-East Asia Regional Office conducted a rapid assessment of regional country’s national capacities and readiness to address a COVID-19 outbreak. The evaluation highlighted IPC practices as a gap or challenge. Adequate IPC is vital to controlling the spread of a highly transmissible virus, like COVID-19. Therefore, IPC became one of the main priorities of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s technical support to the government on COVID-19. WHO technical leads reviewed the evolving research and designed evidence-based guidelines on relevant IPC measures. WHO also supported the government in adapting international IPC guidelines to the local context, and implementing them at the national level.
What is the aim of this work?
In the absence of a vaccine, adopting Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures is the ONLY effective way to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19.
To design a set of training modules for healthcare workers (HCW) on IPC guidelines related to COVID-19 in the Sri Lankan setting; the training modules will enhance the knowledge of HCWs and thereby increase their IPC-related practices, enabling them to respond to COVID-19 successfully. IPC measures are crucial to an effective and sustainable response. The results of Sri Lanka’s efforts to rapidly implement IPC measures can be seen in the fact that only seven HCW have tested positive for COVID-19, and there have been zero HCW deaths. These training modules will build on that success by increasing awareness and normalizing best practices.
How was this done?
A team of Microbiologist and Virologists representing the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologist and the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services (MoH) and WHO Sri Lanka technical staff reviewed WHO global IPC guidelines and adapted them to be in line with the policies and circulars of the MoH in Sri Lanka.
A nine module training course and a self-learning course conveyed using distant delivery modes were designed. The materials developed include a combination of PowerPoint slides with and without voice, instructional videos, and question and answer sessions. All materials were created in all three official languages: Sinhala, Tamil, and English. The modules will be delivered to HCWs on UBS drives for their convenience and ease of use.
The nine modules are as follows
- Mode of transmission of SARS-CoV2 causing COVID-19
- Infection prevention and control in healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Rational use of PPE and infection prevention and control of COVID-19
- Use of masks as a measure to prevent COVID-19 infection
- Home care for patients with respiratory symptoms
- Hand hygiene and hand sanitizers
- Disposal of dead bodies and autopsy practice guide: COVID-19 related deaths
- Environmental surface disinfection during the COVID-19 outbreak
- Frequently asked questions and myths: Infection prevention and control related to COVID-19
How will this be integrated into existing training for HCWs?
The training modules were officially launched on 23 July 2020, at the Pre-congress session of the 133rd Anniversary International Medical Conference 2020 at a session titled Practical infection Prevention and Control Considerations in the Fight Against COVID-19. Given the importance of IPC measures in preventing the spread of COVID-19, once these materials were developed, the MoH Directorate of Healthcare Quality and Safety took steps to ensure the modules were delivered to all training institutes and hospitals and are freely available. Additionally, the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists has made the material available to their members.