“A majority of the deaths among patients in hospitals result from health care associated infections; this is estimated to be the third largest cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. Most of it is preventable. Pathogens are transmitted from one patient to another if proper infection control practices are not implemented,” stated Dr. Sanjeev K. Singh, Medical Superintendent, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.

Dr. Singh was speaking at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, during the launch of his recently published book titled Hospital Infection Control Guidelines – Principles and Practices.

The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Jenab Omar Abdullah, was also present on the occasion.

“In order to protect the patient and the provider against exposure to infectious microorganisms, it is essential that the health care team is aware of the policies and procedures of infection control,” stated Dr. Sanjeev.

“Infection control practices in the country will improve if we have sound surveillance methodology, laboratory (microbiology and reporting) standardisation, drug (antibiotics) standardisation and robust training and development for faculty and staff,” he noted.

“In-service training for faculty and staff is key to improvement of infection control practices,” he emphasized.

“Unwarranted use of antibiotics, not de-escalating drugs, prescribing highest end / reserve antibiotics on the pretext of patient safety are some of the practices which demand immediate introspection,” he also added.

The book is co-authored by Dr. Shakti Kumar Gupta, Medical Superintendent, All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Col. Dr. Sunil Kant, Army Medical Corps.

“We hope that this book will be used by members of healthcare teams to implement infection control programs and will also be useful for students of medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and hospital administration,” stated the authors.

Published by Jaypee Brothers, the book has seventeen chapters including a glossary, detailed references and annexures. There are a total of 208 pages.

The book focuses on fundamentals of infection control practices. It explains the techniques to be followed for the proper implementation of a hospital’s infection control program to ensure better patient care and healthcare delivery.

February 24, 2012
Health Sciences Campus, Kochi