What are the challenges and solutions for infection control in healthcare settings?
Infection control in healthcare settings faces critical challenges like antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, inconsistent hand hygiene compliance, and environmental contamination from high-touch surfaces. Evidence-based solutions include antimicrobial stewardship programs to curb resistance, UV-C disinfection robots for no-touch cleaning, and AI-driven predictive analytics to preempt outbreaks. Addressing PPE supply chain gaps with reusable respirators and blockchain tracking ensures equitable resource distribution. Checklist-driven protocols for invasive procedures (e.g., CLABSI prevention) and staff-to-patient ratio mandates reduce risks linked to understaffing. Innovations like photocatalytic coatings on surfaces and phage therapy for drug-resistant infections offer next-gen protection. Patient engagement through “Clean Hands Count” campaigns and visitor screening tools further mitigates transmission. Globally, policies like value-based purchasing and decentralized care models strengthen prevention efforts. ​​​​​​​