The panel "Infection Control Competencies: The Commitment of Professional Orders", held on October 29, addressed the consistent application of essential measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The event was organized by the Escola Superior de Saúde Norte da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa (ESSNorteCVP) and the Unidade Local de Saúde de Entre Douro e Vouga.
Félix Carvalho, president of the Northern Regional Section of the Order of Pharmacists, argued that competence in infection prevention is demonstrated in performance and measured by risk reduction for the patient. He suggested that continuous training should be evaluated by practical application, with audits and indicators, and that Professional Orders should strengthen technical and scientific leadership.
In combating antimicrobial resistance, a global threat, the pharmacist plays an essential role in antimicrobial stewardship programs, in selecting and optimizing medications, and in monitoring their use.
Future commitments for the Order of Pharmacists include strengthening training in responsible antimicrobial use, vaccination, and antimicrobial resistance, producing technical-scientific guidelines, and joint initiatives with other Orders in patient safety. Félix Carvalho also warned that artificial intelligence will transform infection control but will not replace clinical judgment, emphasizing the need to train professionals capable of questioning, validating, and using technology ethically.
