What Hampers Infection Control Practices in Intensive Care unit (ICu) of a General Hospital Gupta Rajshree R1,*, Gupta Rajul Kumar2, Bhaskar S Vijay3 1Assistant Professor, Physiology 2Professor, Community Medicine, Army College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 3DGAFMS, New Delhi *Corresponding Author: Rajul Kumar Gupta MD (PSM), PhD Professor, Community Medicine, Army College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Tele: +918527389090 Email: rajulkgupta@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 3 April, 2018. Abstract Hospital associated infections (HAI) have been a scourge in ICU care, responsible for preventable morbidity and mortality. This study conducted in a small hospital, brings out that, not abiding by relatively simple rules and procedures hampers infection control. Sub-standard knowledge and poor practices regarding hand washing, non-use of caps, gloves and gowns, misuse of slippers, poor BMW disposal, non-notificatopn of HAI are the easily correctable causes of HAI in an ICU setting. Lack of hand-rub/sanitizers and emergencies were cited as causes of not washing hands. Judicious use of urinary catheters is emphasised. Immunization, linen-hygiene, HAI notifications and SOP utilization too was lacking. Regular training, continued medical education, accountability and assertion from HAI committee need to persist if we have to control HAI effectively. Top Keywords Hospital Associated/Acquired Infection, HAI, Nosocomial infections, Hand hygiene, ICU. Top |