Article
Neutropenic Infection Control Precautions in South India – a Report
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Published: | June 3, 2014 |
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Background & Aim: Infections continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neutropenic patients. Special Infection control (IC) practices & protocols to decrease the morbidity & mortality from exogenous and endogenous pathogens has been devised and routinely followed in the developed world. Cancer is the leading cause of death in the developing countries, where health system & infection control are poorly equipped to deal with the challenge. The objective of this study was to assess the existing policies and practices relating to infection control in tertiary care referral private hospitals in South India treating neutropenic patients.
Methods: The infection control assessment was done by an infectious disease education and research foundation (non-governmental organization) using an audit tool consisting details regarding protective isolation, food policy, visitors policy, hand hygiene facilities at bed side, immunization policy of health care workers, environmental control in five major private hospitals in South India providing care to neutropenic patients.
Results: The results are summarized in Table 1 [Tab. 1].
Conclusion: This study revealed despite the availability of infection control team & accreditation by National authorities, infection control protocols and policies for visitors and health care workers immunizations are not in practice. The development of National guidelines & mandatory requirements by accreditation boards in the future will improve the infection control practices in the neutropenic settings in India.