Page 58 - CIJ JAN 2024 - Digital Edition

HealtHcare Hygiene

Hand Hygiene & Hand Hygiene!

Hygiene practices implemented in 2023
to combat HAI
We have been focusing on cleaning of all the surfaces and
critical instruments three times a day along with cleaning of
highly touched surfaces like doorknob, telephone receivers
and nursing stations. To ensure proper surface cleaning,
weekly surface swabs are collected from critical equipment.
To take care of air quality in critical areas, regular
validation and maintenance of HEPA filter is done as a
protocol and to prevent fungal and bacterial infections, AC
duct cleaning carried out once a year

How has the role of training evolved in
2023 to enable better HIC?
Training and motivation are keys to prevent HAI. We
Dr Tejas Gohel, conduct training not just in the form of lectures that do not
Consultant hold the attention of the staff, but we also do “Training with
Fun” by involving the staff which keeps staff busy in the
Microbiology & Nodal topic.
Officer Infection is equally important as they could carry infection inside
Along with staff training, patients and visitors training
Control, Lilavati the hospital. Hand hygiene training with all steps is well
Hospital and Research explained to them.
Center, says that he Successful models adopted in 22-23 and

plans to introduce 23-24 to curb HAI
automated hand disinfection have played a big role, as these demand less
Newer technology and automation for cleaning &
hygiene instrument manpower. More accurate work could be done in lesser
across the hospital time. High pressure cleaners proved to be more beneficial
than manual mop cleaning in all ways. For hand hygiene
too, it is very difficult to monitor the compliance by all the
staff across the hospital. However, automatic instrument
which dispenses hand rub can evaluate if all steps are
followed properly or not and can help in monitoring.
In 2024, we will emphasise on Hand Hygiene, and
only Hand Hygiene. More than 70% of hospital acquired
infections can be prevented by Hand Hygiene.

JANUARY 2024•Clean India Journal
58 www.cleanindiajournal.com