Directive No. 06/2005/CT-BYT on Strengthening Hospital Infection Control Work

DIRECTIVE OF THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

On Strengthening Hospital Infection Control Work

In recent years, the health sector of our country has made significant progress in applying modern medical science and technology to serve healthcare activities. Many advanced medical techniques have been successfully implemented such as kidney transplantation, liver transplantation, open-heart surgery, coronary angioplasty, in vitro fertilization, laparoscopic surgery, pacemaker implantation... Along with the advancement of medical technology, hospital infection control work has also made many improvements, contributing significantly to enhancing the quality of healthcare, ensuring safety for patients and healthcare workers. On September 19, 1997, the Minister of Health issued Decision No. 1895/1997/BYT-QD on the issuance of the Hospital Regulations, which included the Hospital Infection Control Regulations and the Department of Infection Control Work Regulations. After a period of implementation, hospital infection control work has achieved initial results. In terms of organization, the department of hospital infection control has been established, and the network of hospital infection control has gradually developed. Professionally, the Ministry of Health has issued guidelines for infection control procedures, organized many training courses, and trained staff in this field. Hospitals have invested in purchasing equipment, conducting monitoring and supervision of hospital infection control,... As a result, hospital infections have been initially limited, making a significant contribution to improving the quality of healthcare.

However, hospital infection control work still faces many challenges. The situation of hospital infections and the risk factors for transmission in hospitals remain high. The implementation of infection control policies in hospitals is still lax. Some infectious diseases, particularly HIV, hepatitis B, malaria, and other infectious diseases, are not closely monitored in many hospitals. The cost of treating hospital-acquired infections is two to three times higher than non-infectious treatments. Investment in infection control does not meet the requirements set forth. The main cause of these challenges is that leaders at the provincial health departments and hospitals have not fully recognized the importance and have not adequately invested in hospital infection control work.

To ensure the quality and safety of treatment for patients, effectively implement hospital infection control work, improve the quality of healthcare, reduce treatment costs, the Minister of Health directs:

1. Regarding organizational work: Relevant Departments and Bureaus of the Ministry of Health, Provincial Health Departments, and Directors of hospitals must focus on developing the network of hospital infection control. First, they must establish the Hospital Infection Control Council to specifically and thoroughly direct this work; At the same time, they must consolidate the infection control department, develop and strengthen the microbiology department, and fully leverage the core role of these two departments in infection control in terms of professional and technical expertise.

2. Regarding training and scientific research: Relevant Departments and Bureaus of the Ministry of Health, Provincial Health Departments, and Directors of hospitals need to strengthen the development of human resources for hospital infection control work; build appropriate training programs and curricula; regularly organize training sessions for doctors, nurses, and staff from various departments about infection control regulations and procedures, and enhance scientific research efforts to develop specialized knowledge in hospital infection control.

3. Regarding the implementation of technical procedures: Directors of hospitals and institutes with beds must concretize the regulations and procedures for infection control activities suitable for the characteristics and current conditions of their units based on the documents and regulations issued by the Ministry of Health. Doctors, nurses, staff, students, and interns working and studying in hospital departments must strictly adhere to the implementation of technical procedures, sterile techniques, disinfection, and infection control.

4. Regarding investment in equipment, materials, and chemicals: Unit leaders are responsible for ensuring adequate investment in purchasing equipment, materials, and chemicals to properly implement technical procedures, especially infection control procedures and hospital environmental hygiene, gradually modernizing equipment for hospital infection control work.

5. Regarding hospital infection control monitoring work: The Hospital Infection Control Council and the Hospital Infection Control Department are responsible for closely monitoring infection control procedures, environmental hygiene, and medical waste throughout the hospital, determining the frequency of infections, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and promptly reporting outbreaks to hospital leadership.

6. Regarding international cooperation: Health Departments and hospitals should actively expand international relations to develop the specialty of hospital infection control, keeping up with regional standards and integrating internationally.

7. Regarding inspection and supervision: Hospitals need to effectively carry out regular and surprise inspections of professional and technical regulations for hospital infection control.

8. Regarding competition and motivation: Hospitals need to promote the movement of competition to consistently and continuously perform well in hospital infection control work, timely summarizing, evaluating, and rewarding.

Implementation Organization:

- The Treatment Department is responsible for guiding and continuing to direct the development of regulatory and professional technical documents; compiling and reporting to the Minister on hospital infection control work.

- The Cadre and Personnel Department will coordinate with the Treatment Department to direct the establishment of the hospital infection control network and develop appropriate mechanisms and policies.

- The Science and Training Department will coordinate with the Treatment Department to develop plans and direct the training and development of human resources and scientific research on hospital infection control to meet job requirements.

- The Planning and Finance Department will ensure funding for hospital infection control work.

- The Traditional Medicine Department and the Reproductive Health Department will cooperate with the Treatment Department to direct implementation in their respective fields.

- The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health shall coordinate with the Treatment Guidance Department to direct and organize strict inspections and checks on hospital infection control work.

- Provincial Health Departments and health sectors shall be responsible for directing units to effectively implement hospital infection control work.

- Hospitals and institutes with inpatient beds shall be responsible for effectively implementing hospital infection control measures to ensure patient safety.

Upon receipt of this Directive, the Heads of Provincial Health Departments, Sectoral Health Chiefs, and Directors of hospitals and institutes with inpatient beds shall be responsible for implementing it and reporting the results annually to the Ministry of Health./.