Ukrainian Strategy and Action Plan for the Prevention of Healthcare Association Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

The Ukrainian Strategy and Action Plan for the Prevention of Healthcare Association Infections (HAIs) and An- timicrobial Resistance defines the purpose, principles and main directions of the improvement of the National system for control and prevention of HAI and AMR pathogens of these infections, mechanisms of its functioning, as well as expected socio-economic impact. Action plan underscores the need for an effective «One Health» approach involving coordination among numer- ous international sectors and actors, including human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, environment, and well-informed consumers. The Action Plan recognizes and addresses both the variable resources nations have to combat antimicrobial resistance. The main objectives of the Ukrainian Action Plan is to improve the regulatory, legal and methodological support system of prevention of Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI), laboratory diagnosis and monitoring of AMR pathogens infections, training system for medical personnel in these fields. We are talking about the introduction of modern approaches and optimization of controls and prevention of HAI, preventing of transmission of multi re- sistance pathogens in healthcare institutions, improving the effectiveness of disinfection and sterilization measures. It is planned to create a unified system of laws and regulations that will ensure effective control and prevention of HAI and AMR, and investigation of outbreaks when they occur and ensuring of adequate compensation to victims; to prepare a standard on infection control with the compliance of mandatory requirements aimed at preventing HAI and AMR in healthcare institutions based on their profile; to create in healthcare institutions the methods of epidemiological diagnostic, based on standard criteria for determining of nosocomial infection cases by anatomic localization of infection. In addition, it is necessary to optimize the list of indications for microbiological and clinical research material and objects of hospital environment, rules of sampling and shipping of samples of biological material in the laboratory. And to develop target prevention programs for HAI and AMR at the national (country), regional and municipal levels. To implement modern technologies on infection control and monitoring of AMR in health care institutions. As a result of the Ukrainian Action Plan is expected to reduce the number of infections caused by resistant strains of microorganism’s mortality, disability and complications from infections associated with medical care, increase the employment potential of the nation by reducing temporary and permanent loss of working ability as a result of population diseases. Also, it is necessary to increase safety of patients and staff while providing medical care.