Global Action in Healthcare Network – Healthcare-associated Infection Module (GAIHN – HAI module)
The Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) module of the Global Action in Healthcare Network (GAIHN) seeks to detect and prevent HAIs in network facilities. While many clinically significant HAIs are bacterial infections related to invasive medical devices (e.g., central-line associated bloodstream infections), experience in the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic and the current COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of preventing healthcare-associated viral transmission as well.
The GAIHN –HAI platform will initially focus on addressing healthcare-associated COVID-19 priorities, including rapid identification of infections among healthcare workers (HCW) linked to epidemiologic data collection, genomic sequencing/variant detection, and response activities to better understand circulating and emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 and prevent further transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare facilities among staff and patients. These activities will work to strengthen the relationships between facilities and partners for a transition to detection and prevention of bacterial and device-related HAIs once the threat of COVID-19 in healthcare facilities globally has been reduced.
Countries Where Global Action in Healthcare Network Partners are Working
Countries where GAIHN-HAI is operating in select hospitals
Countries where GAIHN-HAI is operating in select hospitals
Implementing partner
Implementing partner
Brazil
Brazil
Indonesia
Indonesia
Philippines
Philippines
Jordan
Jordan
SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance
Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, evolves over time through mutation, and mutations may result in new variants of the virus. Some mutations may allow the virus variants to spread more easily or make them resistant to treatments or vaccines. Variants with these mutations must be monitored carefully. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified “variants of interest”external icon or “variants of concern” according to the potential or demonstrated global impact of different variants.
Global genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 is an important public health function. It involves tracking the virus to detect new variants and to monitor trends in variants already in circulation. It can inform national and global decisions around public health and mitigation measures, diagnostics, treatments, and vaccination. GAIHN-HAI seeks to address healthcare-associated COVID-19 priorities, including genomic sequencing/variant detection, among staff and patients in healthcare facilities. Surveillance among health worker staff and patients can help to identify emerging threats in these populations, including SARS-CoV-2 variants causing illness despite vaccination.
Healthcare-associated Infection Surveillance and Prevention
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are infections related to the delivery of healthcare and can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Studies have shown that people in low-and middle-income countries are at increased risk for HAIs compared to people in high-income countries. Fortunately, well described and effective prevention measures exist and can be implemented to prevent HAIs from occurring in healthcare facilities. A strong infection prevention and control (IPC) program within facilities and at a national and regional level is critical for reducing the burden of HAIs in a country.
WHO has designated HAI surveillance as a core component in any IPC programexternal icon, and data from surveillance programs are used to guide IPC interventions and detect outbreaks or emerging infections. GAIHN-HAI seeks to reduce HAIs in participating facilities by supporting both HAI surveillance and prevention activities.
References
Types of Healthcare-associated Infections | HAI | CDC
Guidance for representative and targeted genomic SARS-CoV-2 monitoring (europa.eu)external icon
WHO Guidance for Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Variants pdf icon[PDF – 18 pages]external icon