Purva Mathur1. 1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI/HAIs) are one of the most common adverse events in patient care and account for substantial morbidity and mortality. The high rates of HCAIs in a facility are an indicator of poor quality of healthcare services. According to the World Health Organization, at any time, up to 7% of patients in developed and 10% in developing countries will acquire at least one HAI. These infections also present a significant economic burden at the societal level. However, a large percentage of HAIs are preventable through effective infection prevention and control measures. Objectives: Prevention of these infections also needs to be prioritised in view of the growing antimicrobial resistance in HAIs. The bundle approach to the prevention of HAIs is a relatively new concept that is revolutionising the care of high-risk patients in the Intensive Care Units. This report details the bundle approach for the prevention of HAIs, particularly the device-associated infections, for low- and middle-income countries. Conclusion: With the escalating armamentarium of antimicrobial resistance, healthcare sector has to go back to the very basics of hospital infection control; develop, assess and implement bundles of prevention. These are cost-effective and easily adaptable, to cater to the increasing HCAIs and MDR infections in the LMICs.
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI/HAIs) are one of the most common adverse events in patient care and account for substantial morbidity and mortality. The high rates of HCAIs in a facility are an indicator of poor quality of healthcare services. According to the World Health Organization, at any time, up to 7% of patients in developed and 10% in developing countries will acquire at least one HAI. These infections also present a significant economic burden at the societal level. However, a large percentage of HAIs are preventable through effective infection prevention and control measures. Objectives: Prevention of these infections also needs to be prioritised in view of the growing antimicrobial resistance in HAIs. The bundle approach to the prevention of HAIs is a relatively new concept that is revolutionising the care of high-risk patients in the Intensive Care Units. This report details the bundle approach for the prevention of HAIs, particularly the device-associated infections, for low- and middle-income countries. Conclusion: With the escalating armamentarium of antimicrobial resistance, healthcare sector has to go back to the very basics of hospital infection control; develop, assess and implement bundles of prevention. These are cost-effective and easily adaptable, to cater to the increasing HCAIs and MDR infections in the LMICs.
Entities:
Keywords:
Bundle approach; healthcare-associated infections; patient care
Authors: Geni Vg Soundaram; Raja Sundaramurthy; Kathiresan Jeyashree; Vithiya Ganesan; Ramesh Arunagiri; Jhansi Charles Journal: Indian J Crit Care Med Date: 2020-07