Resource sustainability and challenges in the supply chain: implications for infection prevention.

Abstract

Infection prevention and control practices remain the bedrock of healthcare associated infection prevention and outbreak and epidemic control efforts. However, issues in supply chain management can hinder these efforts, as exemplified by various public health emergencies. This review explores the key role of supply chains in infection prevention and explores specific challenges. In all of the critical components of infection prevention and control - hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, sterile supplies, environmental disinfection, and waste management - disruptions in supply chains have led to limited availability and dissemination. Strategies to mitigate these resource constraints in the inter-epidemic period will also be highlighted. The infection prevention workforce is well poised to inform supply chain dynamics. Without robust and adequate supply chains, infection prevention and control efforts suffer which perpetuates healthcare-associated infections, clusters, and epidemics.