Historical path of policy for prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in Brazil: Challenges and perspectives

More than three decades The World Health Organization recognizes healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) as a public health problem and urges national and regional authorities to take action to reduce these complications. In Brazil, these actions are vested in the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA). The objective of this study is to recover the historical path of HAIs prevention and control initiatives in the country, presenting the main legislation and official documents published nearly four decades and the national perspectives to reduce these events. We performed a historical review based on legislation and official data, in addition to a review of the current literature. We discuss the historical aspects of the norms and actions coordinated by ANVISA and developed together with states, municipalities, and the Federal District, such as surveillance, monitoring, and preventive measures taken in health services in Brazil. Although this study investigates a range of health legislation and actions on the subject in the country, we perceive, critically, that further progress is needed to comply with the legal framework and national recommendations for the reduction of HAIs. The study may contribute as a source of historical information on prevention and control of HAIs for patient safety in health services in Brazil, implementation and review of programs on the subject in other countries, and as a basis for research on these events.