The Impact Of Evaluating The Infection Control System At The Level Of Health Facilities

Abstract

Introduction: HAIs pose a serious threat to patient safety and a major economic problem to the healthcare system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The concern has moved towards prevention rather than treatment as a response to the Saudi Vision 2030 Health Sector Transformation whereby the systematic testing of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) systems is prioritized. The assessment of these systems, including national accreditation standards, such as CBAHI, and standard audit tools, such as IPCAT, is necessary to assure that healthcare facilities have high-reliability levels and prevent risks of emerging or endemic pathogens to patients and healthcare workers (HCWs).

Study Objective: The main aim of the systematic review will be to determine the evidence on whether structured infection control assessment influences the performance and safety profiles of Saudi Arabian health facilities.

Methodology: A structured search was made of the major electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, the Saudi Digital Library (SDL), and Google Scholar, which had peer-reviewed studies and institutional reports published between 2015 and 2025. Search strategy involved the use of Boolean operators and MeSH terms like Infection Control, Evaluation, Audit, and Saudi Arabia. Research articles (cross-sectional, cohort, and quasi-experimental) and national evaluations reports on the maturity of the IPC system and clinical performance in the KSA were included in the studies.

Conclusion: It is the conclusion of this review that infection control system evaluation is an effective force behind clinical excellence in Saudi Arabia. IPC is converted into an operational safety culture by systematic auditing. In order to maintain these improvements, the research suggests further digitalization of surveillance systems and incorporation of the assessment outcomes into the national healthcare performance incentives.