Published in IJCP November 2018
COMMUNITY MEDICINE
Study of Healthcare-associated Infections
November 04, 2018 | PH Mishra, Pallavi Banerjee, Heema Gosain
     


Management of hospital-acquired infection is a very important aspect of healthcare management. A nosocomial infection affects approximately 2 million patients annually in acute care facilities in our country and their annual patient care costs several millions of rupees. Studies shows that nearly one-third of nosocomial infections can be prevented by a well-organized infection control program. But only <10% are actually prevented. Healthcare waste is an important source of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) and should be considered as a reservoir of pathogenic microorganisms, which can cause contamination and give rise to infection. If waste is inadequately managed, these microorganisms can be transmitted by direct contact, air or by a variety of vectors. Infectious waste contributes in this way to the risk of nosocomial infections, putting the health of hospital personnel and patients, at risk. The aim of the Hospital Infection Control Program is dissemination of information, surveillance activities, investigation, prevention and control of nosocomial infections in the hospitals.