Orchid Super Specialty Hospital has a comprehensive infection prevention and control program for our patients and the staff who care for them.

The Infection Control program covers policies on hand hygiene, occupational health, isolation, infectious diseases notification, clinical sample collection, environmental hygiene, antibiotic usage and infection prevention in practice settings and visiting areas. It also focuses on prevention of nosocomial infections especially ventilator associated infection, surgical site infections, UTI and Intravascular device related infections and also on control of communicable diseases by policies on patient care related activities. The policies and guidelineslaid down are evidence based on current scientific knowledge and recommendations from National and International societies and organizations.

Standard or Universal Precautions to ensure safety of healthcare workers

Practice of Universal and Standard Precautions, are strictly followed. Orientation and teaching/training programs are carried out at the time of induction and on a regular basis for all employees on Standard Precautions and also on key Infection control norms such as Hand Hygiene practices. Our Staff health policy ensures that all staff is vaccinated or has immunity to Hepatitis B and Varicella. Screening and appropriate vaccination of food handlers is also done.

Hand Hygiene Initiative

Safe water supply in all patient care areas for hand washing and alcohol based hand rubs at all patient beds are ensured and vigilant observational audits are performed periodically to ensure high compliance to hand hygiene at patient care areas.

Use of Clinical practice guidelines and protocols

Guidelines are followed for usage and care of intravascular devices, catheters and in the usage of other such invasive devices. Care of equipment, linen disinfection, air conditioning for operating rooms and CCUs as well as management of blood spills and needle stick injuries is done according to International protocols. We also have an established waste management policy and lab safety program.

Isolation protocols

Communicable disease identification and prevention of spread is outlined, and so are isolation protocols and procedures and barrier being strictly followed.

Environmental sampling

Environmental monitoring of Operating rooms, Critical care units and other patient care areas is done through air sampling. Additionally, disinfection and sterilization processes are monitored, drinking water and dialysis water analysis is done and food safety standards and guidelines are laid down and followed.

Visitor Control

We have a visitor’s policy and all visitors are alerted on infection control practices through guidelines written on visitor passes.

The Infection Control Team

The responsibility of Infection Control at the Orchid Medical Centre falls into the hands of a Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC), whose primary duty is formulating and implementing policies to effectively manage infection control issues and outbreaks of infection. The HICC comprises of senior leaders, microbiologist, physicians and administrators in the organization thereby emphasizing the highest importance that the organization places on Infection Control.

The team consists of Infection control nurses and other key staff from various departments who play a pivotal role in implementing all aspects of the hospitals Infection Control program, drive all the Infection control initiatives, motivate and create awareness among the hospital staff by campaigns and special programs and sustain compliance.