Microbide presents the case for reducing hospital-acquired infections in India.
ABSTRACT
The global scale of the HAI problem is staggering. Global HAI levels are difficult to estimate because many countries do not have adequate surveillance systems with which to record reliable HAI data. Nonetheless, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that HAIs are one of the most frequent adverse events in healthcare facilities. Hundreds of millions of patients are likely to suffer HAIs annually, with a higher burden in lower-middle income countries compared with higher income countries.
HAIs have a variety of negative consequences, both personal and societal. They are a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and result in substantial increases in healthcare costs, lost earnings and decreased productivity.
Reducing the number of HAI cases in India is an achievable and worthwhile goal. As the HAI burden in India is significant, infection control programmes will yield enormous benefits for patients and healthcare workers alike. Programmes around the world have shown that the burden of HAIs can be reduced by 50% or more, and many effective infection-control strategies are simple and inexpensive, largely only requiring a change in healthcare culture. Although guidelines are helpful, strictly enforced policies are likely to have a much greater impact.
This paper discusses the global scale and scope of the HAI problem, the consequences of HAIs, some solutions to reduce HAIs, and future perspectives on infection control. It also highlights the urgent need to assess and reduce infections in Indian healthcare facilities, and provides guidance on how to achieve this through policy changes.
This paper was written based on published data up to 2018. Following extensive conversations with medical doctors, researchers and the Indian government, Microbide will be publishing an updated paper on the status of HAIs in India later this year post the introduction of new NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers) guidelines.