The impactful establishment of Infection Control Program in Nepal: An approach to prevent healthcare-associated infection

Raji Baidya, Rashmi Maharjan, Archana Shrestha, Sachin Shakya, Kapendra Shekhar Amatya, Bijesh Raj Ghimire, Sudip Shrestha, Hospital Infection Control Unit, Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd., Harisiddhi, Lalitpur, Nepal, 2016.

Abstract

The infection control program is utmost importance for any health care setting. Breach of infection control practices could result into spread of disease in the hospital. It is essential for all health care workers, patient and visitors to strictly follow infection control guidelines.An infection control program puts together various practices which, when used appropriately, restrict the
transmission of disease causing organism. The risk of dissemination of infection is higher in health care settings in the under developed countries as infection prevention strategies are poorly implemented. Hence, Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. (NCHRC) has taken an initiative to effectively implement infection control activities in its facilities that includes an active surveillance and prevention activities, as well as effective staff training.

Goal & Mission                                                      

• To educate staff, patients and general public with clear guidelines to control and prevent transmission of infection.
• To protect healthcare personnel, visitors and others in the healthcare settings at all times.
• Develop and routinely update guidelines for infection prevention and practices.
• Establish a system to monitor healthcare-associated infections (HAI).
• To maintain standards of safe practice.
• To ensure evidence based research to reinforce best practice within the hospital environment.
• To strengthen infection prevention and control in health care for preparedness and response to outbreaks.

We have given great importance to hand hygiene as it is essential for preventing the spread of infections. Hand hygiene includes washing with soap and water or using alcohol hand sanitizer before and after patient contacts. WHO guided audit tools has been adopted to evaluate the adherence activities. We also perform monthly environmental surface and air sampling of OT, ICU, Neutropenic ward to track any contamination as well as minimise the chances spread of infection. Our infection control Nurse perform daily rounds and audit in all clinical area to implement and educate our staff on following infection control practices and abiding to aseptic procedure. Moreover, various innovative training formats have been deign and implemented to educate, encourage and train our staff on multiple disciplines of the infection control. Training on neutropenic ward precaution, standard precaution, hand hygiene, bio-medical wastes management, disinfection and sterilization have been conducted in routine manner. Further, daily routine environmental cleaning is performed using US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant. We have developed management strategy and standardized practice by following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of disease.  Post exposure prophylaxis program has been established. Top management have provided vital support to raise infection control program as an impactful. Hereby we have developed a coordinated strategy that have provided a powerful tool to help promote infection control and prevention activities at NCHRC.