Improving hand hygiene in healthcare settings could save about $16.5 in reduced healthcare expenditure for every dollar invested according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are among the most frequent adverse events occurring during health service delivery.
According to the report, on average seven per cent of patients in high-income countries and 15 per cent in low- and middle-income countries, will acquire a HAI during their time in hospital.
The report called on all countries around the globe to increase their investment in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programmes to ensure quality of care and patient and health workers’ safety.
This will not only protect their populations but also improve health outcomes and reduce health-care costs and out-of-pocket expenses.
Source : Down To Earth