The ABC of Behavior Change in IPC and AMS and Social Marketing
摘要
Infection control, which refers to the practical discipline of preventing healthcare-associated infections, is an essential process for any healthcare organization to control, reduce, and prevent infections in all care settings. These infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are all supported by scientific evidence and include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), patient screening, equipment decontamination, environmental sanitation, proper disposal/treatment of linens and waste, thorough risk assessment, and proper respiratory hygiene. At the same time, the significant global increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has led to a greater spread of microorganisms in all healthcare settings. This phenomenon is particularly impactful in countries with high antibiotic use. Behavioral changes among healthcare workers are necessary to improve adherence to infection prevention and control guidelines. Despite significant investments in strategies to change behaviors, their effectiveness has not been adequately evaluated, which remains a crucial aspect, particularly in IPC and the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).