GMS Hygiene and Infection Control

Aims & Scope

The focus of GMS HIC is the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in all medical specialties in both in- and outpatient care, including ensuring the health of patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) by realization of good practice in hospital hygiene. Hence, not only scientific articles on the prevention of HAI – including improvement of defense by vaccination and nutrition – are of interest, but also new findings on the design of life-affirming environments in healthcare facilities, including protection against physical, chemical and biogenic indoor pollution, as well as the guarantee of a health-promoting environment by architectural design, indoor climate, biodynamic lighting, coloring and the maintenance of mental health. Of special interest are articles on the efficacy of antimicrobial measures (sterilization, disinfection, antisepsis, cleaning), infection prevention by probiotics, reprocessing of medical devices, antibiotic and antiseptic stewardship, etiology, risk factors, epidemiology and surveillance of HAI, and quality management of hospital hygiene. Another important focus is the question of how hospital hygiene can contribute to sustainable development through the careful, well-thought-out use of resources. Since the realization of infection control strategies is closely linked to environmental and individual ethical challenges, ethical analyses are of interest for the implementation of a balanced holistic concept of hospital hygiene. Addressing the intersection of ethics and hospital hygiene, we focus on assessing benefit-risk ratios of hygiene practices. The protection of patients and HCWs in the hospital context is linked to compliance with anti-infective measures; the prerequisites for this lie at several individual and systemic levels of responsibility. Infectious diseases have shaped humankind’s evolution. Beyond their cultural/historical significance, archaeological findings provide a broader perspective on infection control. Through archaeomicrobiology, the study of historical hygiene and microbiome evolution, we can delve into ancient microbial diversity, early hygiene practices, and how dietary and societal changes influenced our microbial symbionts. This multi-faceted approach enhances our overall understanding of infection control.

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Subject Classification