WS/T 853-2025 in English

In-Depth Analysis of the WS/T 853-2025 Standard for Infection Prevention and Control in Organ Transplant Wards

WS/T 853-2025, "Standard for Hospital Infection Prevention and Control in Organ Transplant Wards," is my country's first infection prevention and control standard specifically for organ transplant wards. It was released on July 30, 2025, and officially implemented on February 1, 2026. This standard, jointly drafted by Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and other authoritative institutions, marks a new stage of standardization and regularization in organ transplant infection prevention and control in my country.

Scope of Application and Core Definitions of the Standard

This standard applies to medical institutions with organ transplant wards, including those for liver transplantation, kidney transplantation, and heart transplantation. It does not cover institutions that provide human cell, corneal, or bone marrow transplantation. The standard clarifies the definitions of key terms such as transplant donors, transplant recipients, opportunistic infections, patients at high risk of infection and protected areas, laying the foundation for the precise implementation of infection prevention and control.

Systematized management requirements

The standard requires medical institutions to establish a comprehensive hospital infection management system, establish a hospital infection management team, and clearly define eight responsibilities. Key areas include developing prevention and control measures and procedures, outbreak response plans, personnel training and assessment, and guidance on the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents.

Standardized Layout and Facility Configuration

The standard sets strict requirements for the layout of organ transplant wards, emphasizing relatively independent zoning and clearly defining the functional divisions of medical areas, auxiliary areas, and waste treatment areas. The protected areas must comply with WS/T 311 isolation technical requirements and be equipped with comprehensive hand hygiene facilities.

Special emphasis is placed on the fact that floor drains should be closed or mechanically sealed, in compliance with GB/T 27710 requirements; planting and displaying flowers and plants is prohibited to reduce the risk of fungal infection; air-conditioning systems must be equipped with air disinfection devices in compliance with WS/T 368 standards.

Tiered Patient Placement Management

A three-tiered patient placement system is established: single isolation rooms for infected patients, separate rooms for pre- and post-operative patients, and protected areas for high-risk infection patients. This tiered management model effectively reduces the risk of cross-infection and improves the accuracy of prevention and control measures.

Hospital Infection Surveillance System

The surveillance system covers three dimensions: case monitoring, environmental hygiene monitoring, and air conditioning system monitoring, establishing a complete closed-loop quality control system.

Case Monitoring Timeline Requirements

Frequency of Environmental Hygiene Monitoring

The standard requires quarterly environmental hygiene monitoring, and special monitoring is required before occupancy of the protected area. Wards using clean technology must comply with GB 50333 Building Technical Specifications to ensure air quality meets standards.

Transplant Recipient Infection Prevention Strategy

The prevention strategy covers two major areas: immunization and infection prevention, establishing a comprehensive protection system.

Immunization Time Requirements

Infection Prevention Measures System

The standard requires the development of a detailed opportunistic infection prevention plan and the evaluation of indications for the prophylactic use of antimicrobial drugs. It also cites multiple professional standards: surgical site infections follow WS/T 861, catheter-associated urinary tract infections follow WS/T 862, and ventilator-associated pneumonia follows WS/T 863. Best Practices: By implementing a standardized opportunistic infection prevention program, a transplant center reduced the incidence of cytomegalovirus infection from 28% to 12% and the incidence of Aspergillus infection from 8% to 3%. Recommendations and Outlook for Standard Implementation: It is recommended that medical institutions implement this standard in phases: the first phase involves completing system development and staff training, the second phase involves optimizing facility layout, the third phase involves improving the monitoring system, and the fourth phase involves continuous quality improvement. With the continuous advancement of organ transplantation technology, infection prevention and control standards also require continuous updating. Future efforts should focus on emerging pathogen prevention and control, infection management under personalized immunosuppression regimens, and the application of intelligent monitoring technologies.

The implementation of this standard will significantly improve the quality of organ transplantation care in my country, reduce post-transplant infection-related complications and mortality, and bring hope of life to more patients with end-stage organ failure.