1. IMPROVING INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICES IN THE PHILIPPINES THROUGH A MULTI-CENTER COLLABORATIVE EVIDENCE-BASED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
R BERBA, M ALEJANDRIA, C HUSKINS, D GOLDMANN and MC Saniel for the QI-IC Study Group, University of the Philippines & Harvard Medical School, USA
Despite evidence-based infection control (IC) guidelines, compliance remains low.
AIM: To test effectiveness of the quality improvement (QI) model as a strategy in improving the implementation of priority IC practices.
METHODS:
Five Philippine tertiary hospitals with multidisciplinary IC teams participated. QI experts conducted a workshop on basic QI principles, and the PLAN-DO-STUDY-ACT (PDSA) rapid cycle model. Each team designed a QI project addressing hospital- specific IC problems. Process indicators were used to measure success of evidence- based QI interventions.
RESULTS:
Process indicators improved at the 6th month compared to the baseline in all five hospitals as follows:
Center
QI Intervention
Process Indicator
Baseline
6th mo A
Improve hand hygiene in the MICU
% compliance to hand hygiene
33%
80% B
Improve hand hygiene in the ICU
% compliance to hand hygiene
20%
67% C
Reduce unnecessary use of urine catheters
% inappropriate use of urine catheters
32%
15% D
Optimize antibiotic prophylaxis for elective cesarean section
% compliance to appropriate prophylaxis 0%
100% E
Optimal antibiotic prophylaxis for general surgery & urology
28%
52%
CONCLUSION:
The QI-PDSA model is effective in improving implementation of IC practices. While working primarily in their respective hospital sites, the collaborative nature of the project facilitated the process and assisted in the success of the pilot centers.