Welcome
Welcome to the WHO Global Survey using the Assessment tool on infection prevention and control minimum requirements for primary health care facilities
Introduction
The WHO assessment tool on infection prevention and control (IPC) minimum requirements for primary health care facilities is a tool to support the implementation of the WHO minimum requirements for IPC programmes, which are derived from the core components for IPC programmes. Users should be familiar with the WHO IPC minimum requirements before using this tool. Note that there are corresponding tools for assessment of the WHO minimum requirements for secondary and tertiary health care facilities, respectively.
Purpose of this tool
The tool will assist primary health care facilities to assess their situation regarding the WHO minimum requirements for each IPC core component and to identify those that still need to be achieved or improved. It is based on selected indicators included in the WHO IPC assessment framework (IPCAF) at the facility level.
The WHO Strengthening IPC in primary care manual, supporting implementation of the IPC core components, outlines five steps for implementing IPC programmes to help maximize the likelihood of success and overcome some of the process complexity. Step 2 involves conducting a baseline assessment to establish an understanding of the current situation, including strengths and weaknesses, with a view to guiding action planning for improvement. Step 4 (evaluating impact) is concerned with assessing the effectiveness of the action plan. This tool is a valuable instrument to support steps 2 and 4 of this process. The manual, as well as the core components’ guidelines and minimum requirements documents, provide definitions and explanations that will help the interpretation of the indicators included in this tool.
This tool is not intended to be used as an audit tool. Its purpose is to help self-assess, plan, organize and implement a facility-based IPC programme according to the WHO minimum requirements. The tool provides a structured approach to determine the status of implementation of each of the core components of IPC activities recommended to be available in primary health care facilities. Most importantly, this tool should be used in a spirit of improvement to identify areas that still need to be tackled and to develop targeted plans to have at least the minimum requirements for IPC in place at the primary care level.
Who should complete and use this tool?
This tool should be completed by the health professional in charge of IPC (that is, the [IPC link person or equivalent in a primary care facility) and responsible for organizing and implementing IPC activities at the facility level. Alternatively, this tool may be completed by those who have an understanding and knowledge of the IPC capacity within the facility.
How is the tool structured?
This tool is structured according to the eight sections reflecting the eight WHO IPC core components and minimum requirements at the primary care facility level, covering a total of 26 indicators. These indicators are based on evidence and expert consensus and have been framed as questions. As these are minimum requirements, the total score will be the sum of all ‘yes’ responses for each core component.