The National Centre for Disease Control has released a Draft copy of the National Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities (“Draft Guideline”) in October, 2018 with a view to preventing Healthcare Associated Infections (“HAI”).
Background
Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) are one of the most common adverse effects in healthcare industry and a major public health problem with an impact on mortality and quality of life. A large percentage is preventable through effective infection prevention and control measures.
The Draft Guideline elucidates various roles of Doctors (Physicians and Surgeons), Hospital Pharmacist and Nursing Staff for better implementation of the Infection Prevention and Control. The Draft Guideline has reiterated mandatory compliance with Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 by persons who generate, collect, receive, store, transport, treat, dispose, or handle bio medical waste as Infectious waste can transmit numerous diseases in the community and also to those who handle waste. Proper disposal is the need of the hour as the increasing use of disposables in healthcare industry is posing as an additional cause for Healthcare Associated Infection. As per the Draft Guideline, Healthcare Associated Infections can be prevented by proper collection of biomedical waste by way of collection bags, pre-treatment, packing, storage and transport and disposal.
Source: National Centre for Disease Control
