Amidst a resurgence of seasonal viruses and the lingering aftermath of outbreaks like measles, Infection Prevention professionals are turning their attention towards educational spaces, acknowledging the integral relationship shared between healthy educational environments and robust community wellbeing. Traditionally, roles in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) have been synonymous with healthcare settings such as hospitals, surgical premises, and long-term care facilities. Nonetheless, in recent years, a section of IPC professionals have ventured into a decidedly distinctive setting: schools.
With numerous IPC experts having young children, they understand the relative ease with which diseases transition from educational environments to households, showcasing classrooms as crucial yet frequently ignored fronts of combatting infections. This often neglected importance of IPC measures in schools was brought into focus by the COVID-19 pandemic, accentuating the vital requirement for maintaining strong, comprehensive IPC practices within these establishments.
Renowned IPC consultant for MK Infection Solutions, Jordan Bastian, MPH, CIC, at the annual Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, sheds light on this significant subject. According to him, educating children about the importance of proper hand hygiene remains a persistent challenge, as many children tend to brush over this critical practice. To overcome this, he iterates the necessity of embedding good hygiene habits in children and institutionalizing hand hygiene routines similar to the ‘five moments’ protocol followed in hospitals, adapted appropriately for schools.
Moreover, Bastian emphasizes the pivotal role adults in schools play in establishing and promoting hygiene practices. It all pivots on their dedication to consistently practice hand hygiene and sanitization, thereby creating a conducive environment for IPC. Ensuring schools are equipped with basic hygiene supplies such as soap, sanitizers, paper towels, and effective disinfectants is another cornerstone. In essence, by controlling infections within schools, we indirectly foster a healthier community, confirming that investing in IPC practices in educational institutions contributes significantly to the health and productivity of communities at large.