Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are practical, evidence-based approaches aiming to prevent patients and health care workers from being harmed by avoidable infections. To reach globally effective IPC practices and actions, constant work at all levels of health systems, including policymakers, facility managers, health workers and those who access health services are needed. IPC activities are ubiquitous and affect patient safety and quality of care, as they are universally relevant to every health care worker and patient, at every health care encounter. Without effective IPC practices it is impossible to achieve quality health care and improve the status of global health.
