- The very mention of hygiene in the context of India as a country presents us with a kaleidoscopic vision of dreadful sights of litter, unhealthy surroundings, messy outlook, and a general sense of chaotic living standards, where cleanliness is considered an exception rather than the norm. That we provide scant importance to anything related to hygiene by upholding it as an indispensable part of our daily existence is stating the obvious. Think about it, why on earth did no less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi start a campaign ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ no sooner than he assumed the highest office of the land by exhorting to accord due importance to cleanliness in and around us.
PC: Deccan Herald
- What should have been a natural process otherwise had to be taken up by the PM himself to make us realise how far we are behind in ensuring a safe and clean living for our citizens. Some progress has been achieved is most welcome though. However, we still lag on several parameters to proclaim ourselves as conscious citizens who wish not to compromise on the basic hygiene expectations is in itself a fact altogether. The issue has a cascading effect on the overall well-being of Indians is not lost either. Interestingly and intriguingly, a new study shows how basic hygiene can reduce infections in Indian hospitals by simply observing time-tested practices. As you must know, hospital infections are often more dreaded than a patient’s illness.
PC: New Brunswick Health Council
- The study reveals that bacterial and fungal germs that enter the bloodstream are hardy survivors, nearly impossible to defeat. It’s why doctors can’t wait to pack post-surgery patients’ homes, so that they’re protected from catching a hospital bug. Overuse of antibiotics has rendered the strongest of drugs toothless against these persistent infections. Now, the results of a seven-year study coordinated by AIIMS and funded by the US CDC have quantified the medical fraternity’s apprehensions. One major route that ferries hospital germs is central-line tubes inserted for chronic conditions or in very sick patients to deliver medicines, fluids, and nutrition. The rate of infection is high in Indian hospitals, at nearly 9 per 1,000 central line-days.
PC: CDC
- In the US, this was less than 1 infection for every 1000 central-line days. About 40% with central line-associated bloodstream infections die. The sobering point – these infections are entirely preventable. Hospitals may want to see how best to follow the example of the Johns Hopkins ICU Checklist Manifesto. The Checklist supported nurses to call out any doctor who didn’t follow the five basic steps (wash hands with soap, wear gloves, etc.) when inserting a central line. India’s challenge is basic – staff strength and training. What will it take for our doctors and nurses to wash their hands with soap, wear gloves, etc, and use sterile drapes when inserting central lines? Not much. Hopefully, we will develop and cultivate hygiene as an inalienable part of our lives everywhere.
