Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Usha Rani ¹, Kiran Chawla ², Leslie E. Lewis ³, Indira Bairy ⁴, Vasudeva Guddattu ⁵, Jayashree Purkayastha ⁶, Christy Thomas Varghese ⁷

Affiliations
1 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
2 Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
3 Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
4 Professor, Department of Microbiology, MMMC, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
5 Associate Professor, Department of Data Sciences, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
6 Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
7 Postgraduate Student, Dept. of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Background: Non-adherence to hand hygiene practices is a well-known factor contributing to healthcareassociated infections in any healthcare setting. Mere knowledge of such practices doesn’t guaran tee the compliance to the practices by healthcare personnel. In this study we explored the quantum of adherence to hand hygiene practices, the opportunity missed, the steps and the duration to be followed for hand hygiene practices and the training gap among the healthcare providers.

Methodology: A six-month cross-sectional study using a mixed-method approach of observations, interview and feedback mechanism is used to find the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices and any training gap to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Observations for two thousand opportunities for hand washing and written interview of 40 healthcare workers is carried out on hand hygiene practices at a neonatal intensive care unit of coastal Karnataka, India.

Results: The hand hygiene practices are as low as with nearly zero percent observed while with performing non-invasive activity like clearing an alarm at the bedside. There is a gap found in the duration of handwashing practices, hand hygiene before and after any care activity is performed on the neonate. This gap resulted in the spread of healthcare-associated infections.

Conclusion: During the infections control training emphasis should also be given on the opportunities and hands on practices of hand hygiene.

Keywords

Hand Hygiene, Infection Control, Healthcare-Associated Infections, Neonate, India

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Usha Rani ¹, Kiran Chawla ², Leslie E. Lewis ³, Indira Bairy ⁴, Vasudeva Guddattu ⁵, Jayashree Purkayastha ⁶, Christy Thomas Varghese ⁷

Affiliations
1 MHA, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
2 MD, Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
3 MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), IN
4 MD, Professor, Department of Microbiology, Manipal Melaka Medical College (MMMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
5 PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Data Sciences, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
6 MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
7 Postgraduate Student, Dept. of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN

Abstract

Background: Non-adherence to hand hygiene practices is a well-known factor contributing to healthcareassociated infections in any healthcare setting. Mere knowledge of such practices doesn’t guarantee the compliance to the practices by healthcare personnel. In this study we explored the quantum of adherence to handhygiene practices, the opportunity missed, the steps and the duration to be followed for hand hygiene practices and the training gap among the healthcare providers. Methodology: A six-month cross-sectional study using a mixed-method approach of observations, interview and feedback mechanism is used to find the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices and any training gap to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Observations for two thousand opportunities for hand washing and written interview of 40 healthcare workers is carried out on hand hygiene practices at a neonatal intensive care unit of coastal Karnataka, India. Results: The hand hygiene practices were as low as 0% observed while performing an non-invasive activity like clearing an alarm at the bedside. There is a gap found in the duration of hand-washing practices, hand hygiene before and after any care activity is performed on the neonate. This gap resulted in the spread of healthcare-associated infections. Conclusion: During the infections control training emphasis should also be given on the opportunities and hands on practices of hand hygiene.

Keywords

Hand Hygiene, Infection Control, Healthcare-Associated Infections, Neonate, India.

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Monalisa Debbarma ¹, Usha Rani ²

Affiliations
1 MHA Student, PSPH, Manipal Academy of Higher, Education, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
2 Assistant Professor, MHA Program, PSPH, Manipal Academy of Higher, Education, Udupi, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Background: In pharmacy operations, inventory is referred to as the stock of pharmaceutical products retained to meet future demand. Inventory represents the largest asset in pharmacy practice, and its value continues to rise because of the growth in variety and cost pharmaceutical products. From both financial and operational perspectives, efficient inventory management plays a great role in pharmacy practice. Ensuring medicines availability is an important goal for health system as medicines are an important building block in the health system. Essential medicines are defined by the WHO as those medicines which respond to the most pertinent health needs of a population. These medicines are the foundation for most public health programmes that are aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality. WHO states that essential medicines should be available at all times. The consequences of medicine unavailability are widespread and can have detrimental effects on individual and public. Unplanned treatment interruptions could lead to an increase in resistance for example to antimicrobials and antivirals which can have the ripple effect of switching to more costly treatment and interventions. Patients may have to travel to alternative facilities including the private sector facilities to source medicines. This may be costly and becomes a barrier to accessing medicines. Therefore to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines, inventory management system of medicines has been upgraded from paper based to computer and web-based system.

Keywords

Inventory control, Pharmacy security, Drug procurement, Inventory management, Drug tracking, Drug storage, ABC and VED

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