Antibiotic Protocol needed in all Indian Hospitals

May 24, 2024

In hospitals, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) like central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia are main concerns. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) makes these infections much worse because the pathogens involved are not easily killed with regular medicines. Reports from 2023 show that these infections are still very common and very bad, especially in countries with low and middle incomes.

Understanding HAIs and AMR

HAIs happen to people who are having surgery or other treatments in healthcare centers. Pathogens, such as bacteria that are becoming less and less sensitive to medicines, cause the infections. This resistance happens because antibiotics are used too much and often in the wrong way, which causes some germs to develop ways to survive drug treatments. People who are in hospitals often have weak immune systems, which makes them easy targets for these superbugs.

Global Impact and Specific Cases

It was found by the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium that infection rates in intensive care units (ICUs) in low- and middle-income countries are much higher than in the US. A report from the World Health Organization in 2022 also noted that the chance of getting HAIs is up to 20 times higher in countries that are not as well off. In India, for example, a huge monitoring program found thousands of cases of bloodstream and urinary tract infections that were not responding to medicine. This shows how serious the problem is.

Government and Healthcare Initiatives

Authorities have taken important steps, especially in India, where the National Program on AMR Containment and the creation of the National AMR Surveillance Laboratory Network (NARS-Net) are two examples. The goal of these projects is to improve infection control practices across the healthcare spectrum and make the infrastructure for AMR surveillance stronger.

More About Healthcare-associated infections (HAI)

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions. These infections are not present or incubating at the time of admission to a healthcare facility. Here are some key points:

Understanding Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs):

Nearly 1 in 31 hospital patients has at least one HAI daily.
Surgical site infections, urinary tract infections from catheters, and pneumonia from ventilators are common types of HAIs.

Factors Contributing to HAIs:

Devices such as catheters and ventilators substantially increase HAI risks.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile are among the organisms that contribute to HAIs and are difficult to treat.

Strategies for Reducing HAIs:

Hand hygiene is critical in preventing HAIs, yet compliance rates among healthcare workers often fall below recommended standards.
Most HAIs are considered preventable with current infection control practices, including antimicrobial stewardship, environmental cleaning, and adherence to evidence-based practices.

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