Integration of IPC/WASH critical conditions into quality of care and quality improvement tools and processes: Bangladesh case study

Unsafe patient care in hospitals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, often stems from inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, insufficient support for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and poor waste management. This study explored the intersection of IPC, WASH, and global efforts to improve healthcare quality, with a focus on maternal and newborn care in Bangladesh health facilities. The analysis reviewed 8 key quality improvement and IPC/WASH policy documents in Bangladesh, examining their coverage of 30 subconditions across 5 critical areas: water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management/cleaning, and IPC supplies, guidelines, training, surveillance, and monitoring. The authors offer recommendations to enhance IPC/WASH integration, including standardizing guidelines and tools into a unified toolkit.