World Patient Safety Day 2024: Highlighting WASH's Role in Safer Diagnoses

4 min read
Asungi Seidu, works at the Worikambo Health Center
Image: WaterAid/George Osei

Every year on September 17th, World Patient Safety Day is observed globally to promote safer healthcare practices. This year’s theme, "Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety," underscores the necessity of accurate, timely, and reliable diagnoses to prevent harm and ensure effective treatment. While clinical diagnostics are central, it’s crucial to recognize that the environment in which healthcare is provided significantly impacts patient safety. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities is fundamental to improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

The Link Between WASH and Patient Safety

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) represent a major threat to patient safety. They contribute to extended hospital stays, increased antimicrobial resistance, and preventable deaths. Inadequate WASH services in healthcare facilities are a major driver of these infections. Globally, it is estimated that 15% of hospitalized patients will acquire one or more infections during their stay, with rates in low- and middle-income countries being much higher due to poor WASH infrastructure. In Ghana, basic water services are available in 67% of healthcare facilities, with limited basic sanitation in 84% of rural facilities, and basic hygiene services in 62% nationwide. However, coverage is significantly lower in rural areas at just 20%. National data on sanitation and environmental cleaning remains incomplete, revealing a substantial risk of exposing patients to life-threatening infections due to inadequate WASH services.

The financial impact of HCAIs is also profound. A report by the World Health Organization reveals that approximately 1.4 million people globally develop infections in healthcare settings due to unsafe WASH conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent infections, yet this practice is often compromised by inadequate access to water and soap.

Impact of Poor WASH on Diagnostic Accuracy

Inadequate WASH services can severely affect diagnostic accuracy. Contaminated water and surfaces increase the risk of misdiagnosis by introducing pathogens during sample collection and testing. The lack of proper hand hygiene facilities can lead to the transmission of infections between healthcare workers and patients, complicating the diagnostic process. Unsanitary conditions during diagnostic tests can result in cross-contamination, leading to false positives or negatives, which may result in inappropriate treatments and delayed recoveries. Research shows that while 68% of healthcare facilities have hygiene facilities at care points and 65% have handwashing stations with water and soap in toilets, only 51% meet basic hygiene service standards, and 9% lack both types of hygiene facilities. Without adequate WASH services, the reliability of diagnostic tests is compromised, potentially leading to incorrect treatment plans and patient harm.

WaterAid's Perspective and Commitment

WaterAid Ghana is dedicated to ensuring universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene as essential for patient safety and diagnostic accuracy. Our advocacy efforts focus on integrating WASH into healthcare delivery, particularly in diagnostics and disease management. We work with healthcare facilities across Ghana to enhance WASH infrastructure through partnerships with government, civil society, and healthcare providers. Our goal is to ensure that every healthcare facility has reliable water supply, functional toilets, and handwashing stations with soap, thereby reducing HCAIs and supporting accurate diagnoses.

A recent study highlights that investing in WASH could significantly reduce the cost of treating HCAIs. In 2022, the total economic cost of HCAIs in Ghana was US$1.57 billion. With adequate WASH services, an estimated GHC1.1 billion could be saved annually, easing the burden on the healthcare system and improving patient outcomes. These savings could be redirected to critical areas such as diagnostic equipment and healthcare worker training, further enhancing patient safety.

Recommendations for Improving Diagnosis Through WASH

In alignment with this year’s theme, WaterAid Ghana recommends prioritizing the following actions to enhance patient safety through improved diagnostics:

  1. Invest in upgrading WASH infrastructure in all healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and underserved areas, ensuring a continuous supply of clean water, functional sanitation facilities, and adequate hygiene supplies.

  2. Integrate WASH into national and local health policies, making basic WASH services a prerequisite for diagnostic testing and patient care.

  3. Include comprehensive WASH training in healthcare worker education to maintain hygiene standards during diagnostic procedures.

  4. Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of WASH services in healthcare facilities to ensure adherence to national standards and establish accountability mechanisms.

  5. Promote public education campaigns to highlight the link between WASH and patient safety, encouraging communities to demand better WASH services in healthcare facilities.

Conclusion

As we observe World Patient Safety Day 2024, let us acknowledge the critical role that WASH plays in improving diagnosis and patient safety. Investing in WASH can reduce the burden of HCAIs, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and ultimately save lives. WaterAid Ghana is committed to advocating for WASH integration in healthcare to ensure every patient receives safe, accurate, and timely diagnosis and care. Let us work together to make every healthcare facility in Ghana a safe environment, free from infections and diagnostic errors.

Written by Aliu Fauzia, Advocacy Campaigns and Inclusion Manager, WaterAid Ghana.