The Department of Health in the Philippines has outlined its roadmap and strategies to strengthen infection prevention and control programs in healthcare facilities. Its goals are to achieve Asia Pacific standards in all facilities and pursue IPC excellence through improved surveillance, standards, training and research. Key strategies include developing national IPC guidelines and standards, enforcing licensing requirements, investing in new technologies like electronic surveillance, strengthening human resources, and increasing public awareness. Past activities have included training courses, workshops and strategic planning. Future activities focus on establishing baselines, revising tools and standards, developing promotion plans, and research collaboration.

1. Directions of Infection
Prevention and Control Program
(IPCP) in the Philippines
May 18, 2017
Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Health Facility Development Bureau

2. Outline of Presentation
A. Infection Prevention and Control Program
(IPCP) Roadmap of DOH
B. Strategies of DOH to achieve these targets
C. Past and Future activities conducted by DOH
to attain Set Targets

3. A. IPC Roadmap

4. • Infection Prevention &
Control at the core of
quality patient care in all
healthcare facilities.
• Achieving Asia Pacific
Infection Prevention &
Control standards in all
healthcare facilities.
Vision
• To pursue excellence in
Infection Prevention
and Control (IPC)
through, improved
surveillance,
harmonized standards,
training, and research
in all healthcare
facilities.
Mission

5. Integrity Excellence
Compassion

6. What is the role of DOH?
• The Department of Health through the Health Facility
Development Bureau (HFDB) is tasked to lead in the
development and management of the Infection
Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) in all
healthcare facilities providing preventive, promotive,
curative, restorative and rehabilitative care in the
Philippines.
• The HFDB assumes technical leadership and is
responsible for the provision of enabling and support
mechanism to ensure the effective and efficient
implementation of the IPC Program

7. BASIS for the National implementation of IPC
• Administrative Order no. 2016-00o2:
“National Policy On Infection
Prevention And Control in Healthcare
Facilities” dated January 8, 2016 aims to
provide guidance for the establishment and
effective implementation of the core
components of the infection prevention and
control in the healthcare facilities.

8. IPCOrganizational
Mechanism
Capacity
Building
Research and
Development
Health
Regulations
Advocacy and
Social
Mobilization
Inter-agency
Collaboration
and
Networking
Client
Empowerment
Monitoring and
Evaluation

9. Development of
a Roadmap to
Harmonize IPC
National
Standards with
ASEAN Standards
Improvement/
Strengthening of
surveillance and
reporting system
of HCAI/ARSP
Enforcement of
Licensing
Standards
Establishment of
Microbiology Lab
Network and
Surveillance of
Anti-Microbial
Resistance
Strengthening of
Health Human
Resource for IPC
Implementation
Promotion of
Public-Private
Partnership
Investment in
New Technology

10. Increase
Awareness on
HCAIs
Institutionalizatio
n of IPC
Curriculum and
Training
Harmonization
with other
policies and
training
programs related
to IPC
Active
Engagement of
Patients and
Families in IPCP
Reduction in
Mortality and
Morbidity due to
HCAIs
Reduction of
Healthcare cost
and increase in
productivity
Culture of Safety
and Prevention

11. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Development of a Road
Map to Harmonize IPC
National Standards with
ASEAN Standards
1. Development of Evidence-based
National Guideline for specific
concerns:
a. Airborne isolation rooms
b. Reprocessing of reusable medical
devices
c. Infrastructure/health facility design
d. Outpatient Departments
e. Emergency Room ICP
f. Surveillance of HCAI
g. Dialysis Center
a. Water quality

12. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Enforcement of
licensing standards
Capacity Building of
Regulatory Officers on
Assessment in Healthcare
Facilities (National, Regional
Levels)
Establishment of Monitoring
and evaluation of Healthcare
Facilities system

13. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Investment in new
technology
Adaption of an electronic
reporting system to enhance
surveillance nationwide
including the following:
Upgrade of Microbiological
Laboratory Facilities

14. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Promotion of
Public- Private
Partnership to
strengthen IPC
Conduction of Training-of-Trainors Caravan to capacitate
healthcare workers in the practice of infection
prevention and control
Development of “Sister-hospital” System: Primary or
secondary tie up with nearby private hospitals for
microbiology and other diagnostic services at a discounted
price
Conduction of bi-annual consultative meeting of
stakeholders (PHAP, PHA, PHICS, PHICNA, DOH, UP-
PGH, PSMID) to discuss key issues and cascade
information
Establishment of an Infection Prevention and Control
Practitioner Empowerment Program through joint
Public- Private Scholarships
Development of an Infection Prevention and Control-
related Research Funding Program through joint
Public- Private Partnerships

15. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Establishment of
Microbiology Lab
Network and
Surveillance of
Anti-Microbial
Resistance
Gathering of baseline information on the
status and functional capacity of micro lab in
healthcare facilities in the Philippines
Capacity building of underperforming and
non-performing micro lab
Conduct of trainor’s training in micro,
WHONET, AMRS by ARSRL for its sentinel
sites serving as trainors
Cascade of training courses in micro by
ARSP sentinel site trainors to micro labs in
their region
Provision of resources/funds for
monitoring visits/meetings by ARSRL staff
and ARSP sentinel site trainors

16. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Strengthening of
Health Human
Resource for IPC
Implementation
Conversion of the IPC
Committee into an organic
unit of hospital by 2016
Addition of Infection
Prevention and Control-
specific plantilla positions for
AMR pharmacists, nurses,
physicians, and medical
technologists

17. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Increase
awareness on
HCAI
1. Development of Health Promo
Plan, Communication Plan and
Advocacy Plan
1. Development of posters,
brochures and other IEC
materials

18. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Active Engagement
of Patients and
Families in IPC
Program
1. Health Education Promotion,
Information Dissemination
through:
• Poster
• Brochure
• Lay Forum

19. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Harmonization with
other policies and
training programs
related to IPC
1. Review of existing policies
and programs
2. Collaboration with
professional societies and
other bureaus/programs of
DOH

20. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Reduction in
Mortality and
Morbidity due to
HCAI
1. Allocation of Resources
(Manpower, Materials,
Supply, Equipment and
finances)
2. Competency Building
through training
3. Monitoring and Evaluation
of the program
implementation

21. B. Strategies Initiatives of DOH
Strategic Objective Initiative
Reduction of
healthcare cost and
increase in
productivity
1. Development and data
collection to measure
hospitalization and patient
care cost five (5) years
after implementation of
the program

22. Past activities conducted by DOH
Year Title of Activity
2009 Printed the National Standards in Infection Control for
Healthcare Facilities (revised edition)
2010 (4) Four Infection Control Orientation Courses were
conducted, attended by 160 Infection Control Officers
of DOH and LGU Hospitals and Regulatory Officers
2011 Four (4) Infection Surveillance Courses for the Hospital
Setting conducted; attended by 174 Infection Control
officers DOH and LGU Hospitals and Regulatory
Officers
2012 Conduct of three (3) IPC Training of Trainors for the
Regional Trainors

23. Past activities conducted by DOH
Year Title of Activity
2016 Strategic Planning Workshop (2016-2020)
2016 Action Planning for 2016-2017
2016 Workshop/Writeshop on the Development of the IPC
Evaluation Tool based on the Standards
2016 Orientation on the National Policy of the infection
Prevention and Control (IPC) Program in Healthcare
Facilities
2016 Training of Trainors and Development of Training of
Trainors Manual on Antimicrobial Resistance
Surveillance Program (RITM)

24. Strategic Planning Workshop for the
Development of Five (5) Year Plan for
Implementation of Infection Prevention and
Control Program
• March 17-18, 2016
• The Pearl Manila Hotel, Manila
• No. of Attendees: 23 pax
• Five (5) Year Strategic Plan
• Evaluation of the Activity (Over-all Rating): Very
Good (62.50%)

25. Dir. Abesamis welcoming the
participants
Invocation by Ms. Caitlyn Tomas and
Introduction of Participants by Ms.
Josie Guiao

26. The group participating actively during the discussion…

27. … and during the energizer

28. Dir. Abesamis with the Resource Persons
L-R: Usec. Galon, Dr. Velmonte, & Dr. Lim

29. Workshop/Writeshop on the
Development of the IPC Evaluation
Tool based on the Standards
• September 29-30, 2016
• Atrium Hotel, Pasay City
• No. of Attendees: 41 pax
• Draft Evaluation Tool
• Evaluation of the Activity (Over-all Rating): Very
Good (73.91%)

30. Asec. Eric Tayag addressing the group

31. Group Activity
Drafting of
Evaluation Tool

32. Dir. Cris Abesamis with the Speakers and Advisers
L-R: Dr. Berba, Usec. Galon, Dr. Belmonte, & Dr. Roman

33. Development of Evaluation Tool for Infection
Prevention and Control Program
September 29-30, 2016
Atrium Hotel, Pasay City

34. Orientation on the National Policy of the
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
Program in Healthcare Facilities
• November 3-4, 2016
• Fontana Hotel, Angeles City, Pampanga
• No. of Attendees: 145 pax
• Evaluation of the Activity (Over-all Rating): Very
Good (63.96%)

35. Ms. Josie Guiao
delivering a speech
during the activity

36. HFDB Officers and Staff 

37. Dir. Becky
Peñafiel with
Ms. Clara Roa
Awarding the
Certificate of
Appreciation to
speaker Ms.
Aida Cuadra

38. Participants posing for
the group picture
Participants during the
Hand Washing Demo

39. Training of Trainors on Antimicrobial
Resistance Surveillance Program (RITM)
• Conducted: Oct. 27-28, Batasan, QC (13pax)
Development of Training of Trainors Manual on
Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program
(RITM)
• Conducted: Nov. 28-30, Pansol, Laguna (22pax)

40. Future activities to be conducted by DOH (2017)
Title of Activity Target Date
1. Establishment of baseline database for the
functional implementation of Infection
Prevention and Control in DOH Hospitals
1st Quarter 2017
2. Creation of the Technical Working Group
(TWG) for the IPC Program
2nd Quarter 2017
3. Meetings, Workshop/Writeshop for the review
and revision of the drafted Evaluation Tool and
the IPC National Standards
2nd – 4th Quarter of
2017

41. Future activities to be conducted by DOH (2017)
Title of Activity Target Date
4. Development of Health Promotion Plan
(Communication Plan and Advocacy Plan) 2017-
2020
3rd Quarter 2017
(July)
5. Conduct of Infection Prevention and Control 1st
Summit/Launching Health Promotion and
Development Plan of IPC
3rd Quarter 2017
(October or
November)
6. Meetings on formal tie-up with UP-PGH, PHICS
and PHICNA with regards to convention and
training
3rd – 4th Quarter of
2017
7. Call for Research Proposal 4th Quarter of 2017

42. Ultimately, we want Infection Prevention and
Control to be promoted as a way of life.
Thank you!