ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK AT THE FACILITY LEVEL (IPCAF)
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital is one of three facilities that was adjudged to be at the advanced level among twenty-nine (29) public facilities in the Orange network across the nation in the just concluded baseline assessment on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) using the WHO Assessment of Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework at the Facility Level (IPCAF) tool, by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Medical Director, Prof. D.E Obaseki, congratulating the hospital for being in the top 10 percentile, the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, explained that IPCAF is structured according to the recommendations in the World Health Organization Guidelines on core components of IPC programmes at the facility level. IPCAF is divided into eight sections, reflecting the eight WHO IPC core components, which are then addressed by a total of 81 indicators. These indicators are based on evidence and expert consensus, and have been framed as questions with defined answers to provide an orientation for assessment. Based on the overall score achieved in the eight sections, the facility is assigned to one of four levels of IPC promotion and practice, with Advanced being the highest level attainable.
In the letter, the NCDC boss pointed out that despite the excellent result, some gaps were identified. A workplan has been instituted to address these gaps.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu emphasized that NCDC’s role is to provide the needed technical support to further strengthen IPC and the quality of patient care.
Once again, Management has demonstrated its mantra as an institution that is providing Quality Healthcare Solutions.
