Greening Infection Prevention and Control: Multifaceted Approaches to a Sustainable Future
By
Pamela S Lee
Irene Frantzis
Shira R Abeles
July 3, 2024
Clinical Scorecard: Enhancing Infection Prevention and Control: Diverse Strategies for a Sustainable Healthcare Future
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Infection prevention and control (IP&C) in healthcare settings Key Mechanisms Surveillance, control, education, isolation precautions, contact tracing, aseptic techniques, device maintenance, hand hygiene Target Population Patients in healthcare delivery settings, healthcare workers, and communities affected by healthcare-associated infections Care Setting Hospitals and healthcare facilities
Key Highlights
IP&C activities contribute significantly to healthcare waste and pollution, notably through single-use disposable devices and PPE. Climate change and pollution exacerbate infectious disease risks and antimicrobial resistance, impacting IP&C effectiveness. Sustainable IP&C practices can reduce environmental impact without compromising patient safety or infection control. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Implement surveillance and reporting systems for healthcare-associated infections and emerging pathogens. Management
Adapt transmission-based precautions with individualized risk assessments to optimize PPE use and reduce waste. Promote aseptic techniques and device maintenance protocols that balance infection prevention with environmental sustainability. Monitoring & Follow-up
Track healthcare-associated infection rates and environmental impact metrics such as waste generation and carbon emissions. Risks
Recognize that aggressive IP&C measures, while necessary, can increase pollution and carbon emissions. Be aware of the role of plastic pollution in promoting antimicrobial resistance and pathogen persistence. Patient & Prescribing Data
Patients at risk of healthcare-associated infections, including those exposed to multidrug resistant organisms
Individualized application of transmission-based precautions can maintain safety while reducing environmental burden.
Clinical Best Practices
Integrate environmental sustainability considerations into IP&C protocols without compromising infection control efficacy. Advocate for policies that harmonize infection prevention with healthcare sustainability goals at institutional and regulatory levels. Monitor emerging climate change-related infectious threats and adapt IP&C strategies accordingly. References
