Infection control in dermatological practice

Prevention and control of health­care associated infections (HCAI) include a set of modern approaches and practices that reduce the socio­economic and medical burden of the problem of HCAI. Objective — to summarize the experience of implementing modern standards of infection control (IC) in dermatological practice in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), Laws of Ukraine, Orders of the Ministry of Health and other regulatory documents of our state. Materials and methods. Modern approaches to the organization of IC have been systematized by using the analytical technique of the complex epidemiological method, according to WHO standards and regulatory documents of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, taking into account the specifics of the provision of medical services in dermatological practice. Results and discussion. WHO implements a policy of protecting patients and medical personnel from possible infection with pathogens of HCAI by improving standard and special IC procedures. Implementing recommendations on methods of medical influence for the prevention of HCAI differs in multiform medical institutions and specialties. There are differences in the regulation of standard operating procedures in therapeutic and surgical practices, which is due to the levels of risks and the probability of the occurrence of HCAI, as well as taking into account the levels of medical care. In the world, discussions among specialists on the structure, sequence and complexity of the introduction of a number of special IC measures in dermatological practice continue, and the spectrum of pathogens that cause them is being studied in depth. The spectrum of pathogens includes various taxonomic groups of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The problem of the formation of resistance of microorganisms to specific therapeutic medications is growing. In our country, the regulatory framework on these issues for dermatologists, venereologists and cosmetologists is not systematized, but is contained in separate provisions in a number of Laws of Ukraine, Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Orders of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and other documents. Conclusions. The introduction of IC standards in dermatological practice in Ukraine is at an early stage. The creation of a regulatory document summarizing good IC practices is an urgent task that will contribute to increasing the effectiveness of HCAI prevention in dermatology, venereology, and cosmetology.