Infection Prevention and Control Standard Operating Procedures For Cholera Treatment Centres and Units in Malawi (April 2023)

Infection prevention and control (IPC) in a CTC/ CTU IPC are all practical measures taken in the healthcare facility to prevent harm caused by infections to patients, health workers and communities. The main goal of IPC in the cholera response is to • To reduce transmission of health care-associated infections of cholera and any other infectious disease • To enhance the safety of staff, patients and visitors • To enhance the ability of the organization/health care facility to respond to an outbreak • To reduce the risk of the hospital (health care facility) itself amplifying the outbreak Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) WASH are all measures taken to guarantee environmental hygiene, safe water of all used within the health facility. It encompasses water, sanitation, waste management, cleaning within the health facility which in this case is CTU/C. A complete WASH package in the CTU/CTC reduces the risk of spread of Vibrio cholerae inside and outside the CTC/CTU. The probability of spreading or acquiring cholera through a CTC/CTU can be highly reduced when proper IPC and WASH measures are respected, followed and monitored. These measures are, in principle, valid in CTC/CTUs and ORPs, although they need to be adapted to the specific characteristics of the facility concerned.