Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Low Income Countries Through Infection Control

Session Description: We will explore the critical importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This presentation will include a review of the existing literature on the implementation of IPC practices to prevent surgical site infections (SSI) within the LMIC setting, highlighting both successes and areas for improvement. We will present findings from academic studies, health organization reports, and field research.

We will outline the unique challenges faced by LMICs in implementing and sustaining IPC programs. These challenges include limited financial resources, which restrict the ability to purchase necessary supplies and equipment, inadequate infrastructure that hampers the establishment of hygienic healthcare environments, and workforce shortages that result in overburdened healthcare staff who may not have sufficient training in IPC practices.

The presentation will highlight successful case studies from various LMICs that have managed to overcome these barriers through innovative strategies. For example, we will showcase programs that have used partnerships and utilized low-cost programming and locally adapted training programs to enhance IPC. These case studies will illustrate how practical solutions can be adapted and scaled to fit different contexts, providing valuable lessons for other regions facing similar challenges. By highlighting these examples, we aim to inspire and inform participants about the potential for improving IPC in LMICs through targeted and context-specific approaches.

Additionally, we will overview various organizations and initiatives that are dedicated to strengthening IPC practices in LMICs to stimulate discussion on how information can be more digestible and accessible going forward and how as an IPC community we can all contribute to this. These include international health organizations, non-governmental organizations, and local community-based initiatives that have implemented effective IPC programs.