reporting IPC

1. GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SANITATION
DISTRICT HEALTH MANAGEMENT TEAM
BOMBALI DISTRICT
IPC PHUS QUARTERLY COMPHERENSIVE REPORT (27th
. Jan. – 3rd
. February 2021)
BACKGROUND
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a scientific approach and practical solution designed to
prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers. It is grounded in infectious
diseases, epidemiology, social science and health system strengthening. IPC occupies a unique
position in the field of patient safety and quality universal health coverage since it is relevant to
health workers and patients at every single health-care encounter.
This IPC mentorship visit was eminent to PHUs as it created the opportunity for the health
facilities staff to have feedback for all activities and practices they had not been carrying out well
during the previous year and pertinent questions that they needed clarity on the best practices of
infection prevention and control standards and procedures could be effectively addressed for
sustainable IPC compliance.
The IPC supportive supervision supported by GOAL/SL was to help health staff improve on
their IPC compliance and performances. It is not an inspection or fault-finding exercise but
rather geared towards ensuring that sustainable delivery of quality health services at all times.
AIM OF MENTORSHIP
 To provide evidence-based practices and demonstrations for health workers in infection
prevention and control (IPC) that will improve health facilities safety and allow
continuity of better IPC compliance and practices.
 To coach health facilities staff improved their weakness on IPC standard precautions and
strengthened their areas of improvement and compliance.
 To assess the non-functional structures in the health facility that need mentoring and
restructuring for better IPC practices.
 To build IPC practices capacity of health facilities across the district to adhere to IPC
standards.

2. Objectives
 To ensure high commitment of health workers on IPC compliance in the HFs
 To improve the knowledge and skills of health workers on Infection Prevention and
Control.
 To assess the non-functional structures in the health facility that need mentoring and
restructuring for better IPC practices.
 To build IPC practices capacity of health care workers across the district to adhere and
understand the importance of IPC structures that will improve and determines safety in
the health facilities.
Justification of the Quarterly mentorship in health facilities:
Infection prevention and control mentorship is important for PHUs, because it provides HCWs
with the opportunity to develop and become more competent in their roles as well as prepare for
safe and quality care in health facilities.. In order to minimize knowledge gap in the area of
providing IPC services in the health facilities, quarterly mentorship and coaching of health
workers on IPC practices will greatly improve and sustain IPC compliance, and correct the IPC
gaps defaulted by staff during the implementation of health services in the district.
Methodology
 The two IPC supervisors from DHMT conducted the mentorship.
 Request for mentorship was made through GOAL/SL for support.
 21 facilities were selected for the quarterly mentorship.
 The PHU staffs were engaged on the relevant of the IPC Mentorship exercise and the
compliance to behavioral change and practice on evidence-based IPC services.
 Conduction of OJT on gaps identify
At the end of each HF mentorship, the key findings were summarized, actions points noted.
Also, feedback given to staff would be noted as action points for future IPC follow up visits
across the district health facilities.

3. List of supportive supervision Team
The mentorship team composed of (2) DHMT staff that visited 21 selected PHU in the district.
NO NAME ORGANIZATION TITLE
1 Hassan Kamara MOHs/DHMT District IPC Supervisor
2 Unisa Kabba MOHs/DHMT Environmental officer
PEROID OF MENTORSHIP VISIT
The timeline for this mentorship and supervision of PHUs field visit was from the 27th. January -
3rd.February 2022.
THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE MENTORSHIP
ABREVIATION IN THE TABLE ABOVE:
A /NFx = Available and Non-Functional
AV= Available
N/A = Not Available
S = safe
N/S = Unsafe
No. Names of Health
Facilities
Key areas mentored staff during the PHUs mentorship exercise.
Hand
hygiene
station
Triage
station
Isolation
Unit
Permanent
Structure
Safe
burning
pit
Incinerator
structure
Sterilization
unit
(sterilizer)
1 Mabala CHP AV AV A /NFx N/A N/A N/A
2 Gbendembu CHC AV AV N/A N/A A /NFx AV
3 Kamaranka CHC AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
4 Kalangba CHC AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
5 Makolor CHP AV AV AV N/A A /NFx AV
6 Makaiba CHP AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
7 Hunduwa CHP AV AV N/A N/A A /NFx AV
8 Kortohun CHP AV AV N/A N/A A /NFx AV

4. No.
Names of Health
Facilities
Key areas mentored staff during the PHUs mentorship exercise.
Hand
hygiene
station
Triage
station
Isolation Unit
Permanent
Structure
Safe
burning
pit
Incinerator
structure
Sterilizati
on unit
(sterilizer)
10 Makiteh CHP AV AV N/A N/A A /NFx AV
11 Kunsho CHP AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
12 Mabaima CHP AV AV N/A N/A A /NFx AV
13 Thonkonba CHP AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
14 Yoni CHP AV AV A /NFx A /NFx A /NFx AV
15 Kagbereh CHC AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
16 Fullah Town 1 CHP AV AV AV N/A A /NFx AV
17 Yainkassa CHP AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
18 Mansogbo CHC AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
19 Royeama CHP AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
20 Magbaikoli CHP AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
21 Panlap CHC AV AV A /NFx N/A A /NFx AV
ACTION TAKEN DURING THE MENTORSHIP EXERCISE
The above shows the key areas covered during the supervision, mentorship, and coaching
exercise. Discussions were held with PHUs staff present during the visit and feedback given to
them with action points for routine follow up visits. The importance of these structures in the
health facilities was emphasised to staff for IPC compliance and safe health care delivery in the
facility. Although there are other key thematic standards in universal precautions, the above
mentioned above were the key areas focused during the 1st quarter mentorship exercise.
THE SUCCESSES ON THE MENTORSHIP
 Most of the newly posted MCHA nurses gained practical knowledge during the
mentorship.
 The 21 PHUs visited for the mentorship are structured with ideal screening, sterilizers,
and triage stations.

5.  On the Job training (OJT) improved the skills staff during mentorship than refresher
trainings, as one in one discussions enable staff to ask questions freely.
 The PHUs visited and mentored can now correctly do better placement of SOPs in their
health facilities, indicating better outcomes on the previous quarterly mentorship of 2021.
 All the PHUs visited have IPC nurses and IPC committees.
CHALLENGES
 The low water table slows the regular supply of water in health facilities.
 The poor road network posed difficulties to access facilities for mentorship.
 The number of targeted staff for mentorship in some PHUs was not present in some
PHUs for mentorship, due to overlapping activities in the health facilities.
 Inadequate IPC supplies in the health facilities.
Recommendation
 MOHS/PARTNERS to continue the supportive supervision and mentorship of health
facilities in the district.
 DHMT/MOHS/ PARTNERS to support the rehabilitation of IPC structures in health
facilities in the district (i.e. Designated Isolation, Incinerators, and safe waste disposal
sites for placenta infectious waste.
 DHMT and Health Partners to support the rehabilitation and construction of bore hole
wells in health facilities for regular supply water.
 DHMT/MOHS/ PARTNERS to support the district to improve the WASH status of the
PHUs in the district.
Conclusion
The supervision and mentorship specific objectives were achieved. However, the staffs gain
more knowledge and skills on IPC best practices. It is important that IPC structures within the
health facilities are well equipped for sustainable IPC compliance and safe health care delivery.

6. PHOTOS
Mentoring a staff at the screening site- Magbaikoli
CHP
Giving feedback to nurses after the mentoring
exercise at Kunsho CPH
A non-functional isolation centre due to bat infestation
at Yainkassa CHP
Mentoring staff on the four bucket system at
Mambiama MCHP

7. Mentoring staff on instrument sterilization at
Thonkonba CHP
Mentoringstaff neara Non-functionalincineratorat
Kamaranka CHC
Mentoring staff on sharp disposal at Makaiba CHP Mentoring staff near a non-functional incinerator
at Hunduwa CHP
Hassan Kamara Dr. Foday Sesay (DMO)
Sign: ………………… Sign: ………………………….
Date: ………………… Date: ………………………….