Strengthening capacities in biosafety in the face of COVID-19. Cleanliness in health facilities is indispensable for the prevention and control of infection, especially of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus), which is transmitted mainly through respiratory droplets in close physical contact or through aerosols during medical procedures.
Swiss Cooperation (SDC), the Regional Technical Team for Water and Sanitation (ETRAS) and the representative of the Pan American Health Organization of Peru (PAHO) worked together to formulate the project “Strengthening of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Capacities in Health Facilities to Face the COVID-19 Health Emergency in Ancash”. One of its priorities is to strengthen the capacities of the staff responsible for WASH services and biosecurity measures in health facilities in the Ancash region, including the prevention of risks associated with WASH. The project will train staff from 12 health facilities in Ancash, but it will be useful throughout Peru and Latin America.
It was possible to design the environmental cleaning and disinfection course in health facilities thanks to the joint work and inter-programmatic technical efforts of the health service programmes (HSS), Antimicrobial Resistance (ARM), the Regional Water and Sanitation Technical Team (ETRAS), the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants in Health (CE) and the Climate Change and Environmental Determinants in Health Unit (CDE).
The course aims to reduce the risk of Covid-19 fomites by improving and standardising environmental cleaning and disinfection, complying with best practices, in all patient care areas, with a focus on areas with patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
It is expected that when participants have completed all course activities, they will be able to:
- Implement an environmental cleaning and disinfection programme in the health facility where they work;
- Standardise processes and optimise institutional resources for environmental cleaning and disinfection, considering cost-efficient solutions;
- Be provided with a reference guide, especially for cleaning and disinfection personnel.
The on-line course uses the competency-based educational model which is the foundation of the courses of the PAHO/WHO Virtual Public Health Library. It is also geared towards active student participation in building up their own learning, through activities in which they apply in practice the knowledge they have acquired. This approach is enriched by collaboration, self-learning and the use of electronic media.
SDC invites readers to register for the course, which is completely free of charge and is available on the PAHO Virtual Campus platform.
For further information:
Environmental cleaning and disinfection in health facilities course brief.
