Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is an enabling factor to infection prevention and control (IPC). Both of these, WASH and IPC, contribute to preventing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission and contributing to safe and quality healthcare. Access to safe water in hospitals can support the delivery of clean care. WASH enables cleaning staff in hospitals, as one part of the workforce, properly fulfil their job. In this regard and within the context of IPC, the World Health Organization highlight this target group for training and stress their health service delivery role.

The current review paper recognizes the importance of hygiene, including those who clean in healthcare facilities and present existing evidence and guidelines on these factors. The evidence shows that the basic WASH facilities and practices lack in healthcare facilities, which is a major issue in low and middle-income countries. Statistics say one in four healthcare facilities lack essential water services, and one in ten have no sanitation services. Potential effect and importance of WASH-IPC on clean hospital environment and and challenges are emphasized.

To know more about norms, standards, initiatives and future considerations of those who keep healthcare facilities clean, please visit the website of BioMedCentral (Link)