Point-Prevalence Survey for the Hospital-Acquired Infections in Intensive Care Units of Trauma Center in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Northern India.

Background The burden of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is all assumption based, and the true burden remains unknown in most countries, particularly in the developing countries where healthcare facilities are suboptimal and knowledge is limited. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted at the trauma center of a tertiary care institute from August to September 2019, to assess the burden of HAI and antibiotic resistance pattern of HAI. The total sample size in our study was 105. Our objective was to estimate the point prevalence of HAI and study the associated factors in a tertiary care hospital. Result In this study, the point prevalence of HAI was five to six times higher when compared with that of developed countries. Gram-negative organisms were the predominant bacteria; with Acinetobacter baumannii the most common among them. Conclusion Point-prevalence survey is an important objective of the antimicrobial stewardship program; it will be helpful in controlling antimicrobial resistance and this tool plays a significant role in hospital settings. Our study is quite pertinent to assess the point prevalence of HAI. It will help in knowing the current prevalence and pattern of the HAI. Therefore, as healthcare administrators, we can further decrease the HAI for better patient outcomes in the future.

Impact of Hand Hygiene on Hospital-Acquired Infection Rate in Neuro Trauma ICU at a Level 1 Trauma Center in the National Capital Region of India.

Introduction Compliance to hand hygiene (HH) is an important measure in preventing infections to patients in health-care settings. Wellness and safety of patients and health-care workers (HCWs) can be achieved by promoting best practices in infection control through education and advocacy. Aims and Objectives To assess the compliance to HH among all cadres of HCWs and its association with hospital-acquired infection (HAI) in patients. Materials and Methods A prospective, observational study was conducted for a period of 5 years (January 2014 to December 2018) in Neuro Trauma intensive care unit. A standard checklist based on World Health Organization's 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene was used as a tool to measure the HH compliance. Results HAI rate was found to be directly proportional to the compliance to HH. Reduction in HAI rates was reported when there was an increase in HH compliance. HAI of 4.25% was found to be lowest in the year 2015 with the compliance to HH of 63.65%. The HH compliance was also found to be highest (64.63%) in the year 2016 followed by 64.12% in the year 2017. During this period HAI rates were 4.35% and 4.8%, respectively. When the HH compliance declined in the year 2018 to 53.95%, there was an increase in the rate of HAI to 6.9%. Conclusion It could be concluded that HH compliance was associated with the decrease in HAIs. HH could be a simple and cost-effective method in the prevention of HAIs.

Colour coding-based client segmentation approach: A neglected yet powerful tool to tackle non communicable diseases in high burden and low resource setting countries- A primary care approach.

Health systems in low- and middle-income countries like India continue to struggle with the overwhelming burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) alongside the coexistence of multiple medical conditions. Such cases are challenging to diagnose and treat, especially in places where electronic health records are not readily available. In such contexts, using colour coding system for recording health conditions may ensure optimal documentation, effective patient-provider communication, adherence to treatment and follow up, quality of health services, and an overall improvement in health systems performance for NCDs. Colour coding is a common tool used in several service industries including public health programmes locally and globally. Despite such promising aspects, colour coding is not widely used for NCDs in health services organizations, which necessitates a translation of evidence from other sectors and the adoption of innovative and evidence-based approaches to promote the use of colour coding for better addressing NCD epidemic.