Core legal system for prevention and control of health care-associated infections in China and standardized learning and practice paths

OBJECTIVE  To explore an effective path for the standardized learning and practical application of core laws, regulations and standards by infection prevention and control practitioners （IPCPs） in Chinese medical institutions. This approach is intended to address the difficulties in understanding and implementing the complex and rapidly updating infection control regulatory system, thereby strengthening overall institutional infection control capabilities.

METHODS  By comprehensively utilizing literature research, theoretical analysis and practical experience, an in-depth interpretation and logical analysis were conducted on four core laws and regulations: the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases," the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Responding to Public Health Emergencies," the "Regulations on Hospital Infection Management" and the "Basic System for Infection Prevention and Control in Medical Institutions （Trial）." Based on this, and by leveraging the technical support of relevant standards, a capacity-building approach for IPCPs was constructed.

RESULTS  The legal and regulatory system for infection control in China presented a pyramid structure, comprising "fundamental law - emergency law - organizational law - operational law," where each level functioned synergistically and was intricately linked. The capacity-building approach for IPCPs covered three dimensions: systematic learning, professional practice and education and training. At the systematic learning level, it involved constructing a multidimensional knowledge framework through vertical integration, horizontal comparison, point-to-surface synthesis and case review. At the professional practice level, it integrated the plan, do, check and act （PDCA cycle to establish closed-loop management and drive continuous improvement in infection control. At the education and training level, it centered on developing a stratified, diversified and targeted training system for decision-makers, managers, frontline implementers and logistics personnel.

CONCLUSIONS  Systematic regulatory awareness and capacity building empower IPCPs to transform legal mandates into concrete actions that ensure patient and staff safety while meeting institutional obligations. In doing so, they lay a robust foundation for advancing infection control in Chinese medical institutions toward greater professionalization and adherence to the rule of law.