THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Circular No. 16/2018/TT-BYT dated July 20, 2018 of the Ministry of Health prescribing infection control in healthcare facilities
Pursuant to the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment No. 40/2009/QH12, promulgated on November 23, 2009;
Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 75/2017/ND-CP dated June 20, 2017, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;
Upon the request of the Director of the Medical Service Administration,
The Minister of Health hereby promulgates the Circular prescribing infection control in healthcare facilities.
Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope of regulation
This Circular provides for measures to prevent and control infection, infection control systems and responsibilities for controlling infection in state- or privately-owned healthcare facilities (hereinafter referred to as healthcare facilities).
Article 2. Definitions
1. Infection related to medical care (hereinafter referred to as hospital-acquired infection) means an infection that occurs when patients are cared for and treated in healthcare facilities.
2. Hospital-acquired infection monitoring and surveillance means the process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting hospital-acquired infection data in a systematic and continuous manner, and informing results to related persons in a timely manner.
3. Infection control means the construction, implementation and oversight of implementation of specialized regulations, instructions and procedures regarding infection control with the aim of minimizing the risks of spreading of harmful microbes to humans, medical staff and communities that may arise during provision of medical services.
4. Standard prevention means basic preventive measures applied to every patient without reliance on the diagnosis and state of infection and the time of medical examination, treatment and care according to the principles of considering all blood, bodily produced or secreted substances of patients to incur potential risks of infection.
Chapter II
MEASURES TO CONTROL INFECTION IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
Article 3. Formulation and dissemination of instructions, regulations, procedures and plans for control of infection
1. Develop, approve and disseminate instructions, regulations and procedures (collectively referred to as regulations) for control of infection under the provisions of this Circular.
2. Draw up, approve and disseminate plans for control of infection based on the plan of action and objectives of quality of control of infection which must be in line with actual resources and conditions of healthcare facilities over periods of time.
Article 4. Oversight and surveillance of hospital-acquired infection and other infectious diseases that may lead to epidemic outbreaks
1. Conduct the oversight, surveillance, detection, reporting and management of data on hospital-acquired infections, antibiotic resistant bacteria and confirmed or suspected cases of infectious diseases that may lead to epidemic outbreaks.
2. Implement timely intervention measures in order to reduce hospital-acquired infections and other infectious diseases that may lead to epidemic outbreaks, and enable the proper use of antibiotics on the basis of oversight and surveillance results.
Article 5. Oversight and surveillance of compliance with infection control practices
1. Check, oversee and monitor compliance of all practitioners and other staff members (collectively referred to as medical staff), pupils, students and learners (collectively referred to as trainees), patients, patients’ family relatives and guests at healthcare facilities with infection control regulations, especially after medical surgery, procedures and other invasive techniques are performed.
2. Instruct and warn medical staff, trainees, patients and patients’ family relatives and guests to observe infection control regulations.
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