How to prevent hospital acquired infections

Hospitals provide healthcare but can also become a potential source of infection. A person may be hospitalised for one problem, say hypertension, but may become sicker after acquiring some infection in the hospital. Infections occurring in a hospital setting (nosocomial infections) have become an issue of much concern world over. These infections are caused by virulent microbes like pseudomonas and do not respond readily to treatment. They usually occur in three ways. They spread from one patient to another, from patient to medical personnel or from health personnel to a patient. The microbes causing these infections cause severe illness and are resistant to the conventional antibiotics being used. Germs like pseudomonas or kliebsella, which produce grave illness, are mostly implicated in nosocomial infections Immune compromised people (patients of HIV/AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes or renal failure) acquire infections easily and more potent ones. The common diseases acquired in a hospital setting are urinary tract infections, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Apart from this, skin diseases, common cold and cough can also be transmitted and acquired. For prevention of infection from one patient to another, the beds are separated by a suitable distance, which ideally should be 2-3 feet to prevent air borne diseases. Those suffering from contagious illness like cholera or T.B., are put in isolation. Every room should have adequate sunlight as most of the disease-producing germs present in the environment are killed by strong sunlight. Adequate aeration and cross ventilation helps to minimize the concentration of germs inside the rooms. Daily washing and mopping of the hospital rooms with some antiseptic solution helps to kill the microbes prevalent in the rooms. Mivrobes settle on dust and cobwebs, hence these should be cleaned regularly. Hospital linen and clothes also tend to gather germs. These should be changed and cleaned regularly. They need to be washed and dried in strong sunlight. Disposal of the body fluids like urine or blood and laboratory samples should be such that it does not become a source of infection for others. For this purpose, antiseptic solution is poured over the liquids before they are disposed off. On the part of doctors, nurses and others involved in health care it is very important that they use protective gloves, apron and masks. This not only protects them from infection but also prevents them from contaminating patients. Any health care personnel if sick from some infectious illness should stay away from patients. Individuals visiting and or attending a sick person should be aware of the importance of good hygiene. A person suffering from a potentially contaminating illness even like common cold, should avoid visiting a sick person. If unavoidable, a protective mask should be used. In the hospital, they should cooperate with the staff in maintaining utmost cleanliness. Good hand washing on part of the attendant will ensure that no germs are passed on to the patient while touching him physically. It also ensures that one does not acquire any illness from a sick person. Mobile phones or pens, materials used by the patient can also become a source of infection for others as the germs passed on from patient to the object can contaminate others. Therefore, anything used by the patient can be wiped by an antiseptic solution. The Ministry of Health in Rwanda has effectively promoted and implemented measures to improve hospital hygiene. As people become more aware of it, these measures will become more effective. This will definitely reduce incidence of hospital acquired infections and ensure that sick individuals in hospitals always improve.