Interpretation of Standards for Control of Healthcare-associated infections outbreak (WS/T 524-2025)

The management of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) outbreak is a critical component of hospital infection prevention and control, playing a vital role in safeguarding the patients and healthcare workers. The "Standards for Control of Healthcare-Associated Infection Outbreaks (2025 edition) " that was issued by the National Health Commission was interpreted from the perspectives of scientific validity, applicability and operability. It covers the aspects such as the background of the revision, main contents (including management requirements, epidemiological survey, control effect evaluation. It is stressed on the role of information management systems in enhancing the capability for early detection and early warning of HAIs outbreaks. New additions include emergency response procedures for exposures to unconventional pathogens in healthcare settings, outlining specific response measures and key action points. The standard clarifies that infections evolve dynamically and must be categorized based on whether the outbreak pathogen has a defined incubation period. It defines the longest incubation period for assessing effective outbreak control and establishes criteria for identifying new cases. This standard applies to medical institutions of all levels and types and can also be referenced for the control of infection outbreak in temporary special settings during the prevalence of infectious diseases.