Action plan to prevent healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in Hong Kong

Abstract

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) was set up in Hong Kong in 2004 as one of the recommendations of the Expert Panel on SARS. Infection Control Branch is among the six branches under the Centre. Its major roles are to develop, promulgate and evaluate best practices in infection control at health care and non-health care settings; and to coordinate, facilitate and support training in infection control for all levels of health care staff and personnel in health care settings. The Branch is staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprising of specialists in public health, clinical infectious disease and microbiology, infection control nurses, occupational hygiene etc. The Branch act as a bridge between the public and private healthcare sectors and public health for promotion of infection control practices. Over the previous 10 years, numerous programs on prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance have been rolled out and coordinated by CHP. The lectures will highlight selected programs and their implementation and impact on healthcare quality. Framework of the presentation: A. Review of infection control infrastructure in Hong Kong B. Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) 1. Periodic prevalence surveys of HAI in public hospitals 2. Surgical site infection program 3. Catheter associated blood stream infection program 4. Nosocomial outbreak reporting and control mechanisms 5. Other HAIs C. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 1. Health Protection Program on Antimicrobial Resistance 2. Surveillance : - Use of MRSA bacteraemia as a key performance indicator in public hospital - CA-MRSA as a statutorily notifiable disease - Trend of Multidrug Resistant Organisms in Hong Kong 3. Antibiotic Stewardship Program 4. Infection control programs including hand hygiene and environmental hygiene 5. Community engagement in combat of AMR.