Infection Control
Infection Control Policies and Procedures
Purpose
To establish standardized infection control practices to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), protect patients, staff, and visitors, and ensure compliance with local and international guidelines
Scope
These policies and procedures apply to all hospital staff, including medical, nursing, administrative, housekeeping, and maintenance personnel, as well as contractors and volunteers.
Standard Precautions
Standard precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status.
- Hand Hygiene
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
- Safe Injection Practices
- Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection
Transmission-Based Precautions
Transmission-based precautions are used in addition to standard precautions for patients with known or suspected infections.
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions
- Airborne Precautions
Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Prevention
- Perform preoperative skin antisepsis using an approved antiseptic solution.
- Administer prophylactic antibiotics according to hospital guidelines.
- Ensure proper sterilization of surgical instruments and use of sterile drapes and gowns.
- Monitor and report SSI rates to the Infection Control Committee.
Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Promote the rational use of antibiotics to prevent antimicrobial resistance.
- Develop guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment.
- Monitor and report antibiotic resistance patterns.
Waste Management
- Segregate waste into the following categories:
- General waste: Disposed of in black bags.
- Infectious waste: Disposed of in yellow bags and treated by incineration or autoclaving.
- Sharps waste: Disposed of in puncture-resistant containers.
- Ensure regular collection and disposal of waste by authorized contractors.