INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL GUIDELINES guidelines
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Introduction
Message by
the Principal
Message by
the Medical Superintendent
Message by
the Dr.Nizam Damani
Contributions
Disclaimer
the Principal
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Muhammad Farooq Afzal
Message by the
Principal
The healthcare facilities, especially the public sector hospitals, in underdeveloped nations are inadequately equipped, and the burden of healthcare-associated infections (HCAls) makes matters worse. The importance of infection prevention and control cannot be denied especially after the world had seen the worst pandemic of COVID-19, and other infectious diseases one after the other.The knowledge and comprehension of the core IPC practices are the ultimate need of the hour. The subject is very broad. Therefore, it is imperative to present certain key ideas in a way that is simple to access and comprehend.
I appreciate the team of Lahore General Hospital for coming up with the concept for this infection prevention and control mobile application in the hopes that it will be a helpful resource for medical professionals, nurses, paramedics, housekeeping staff, and anyone interested to learn and understand the fundamentals of IPC practices.
Muhammad Farooq Afzal
MBBS, MD, FCPS,FACS,MCPS (HPE), MBA(USA)
Fellow in Advanced Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgery (USA)
Professor Of Surgery, PGMI/AMC/LGH LAHORE
the Medical Superintendent
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Prof. Faryad Hussain
Message by the Medical Superintendent
Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
It gives me great pleasure to write this message on the occasion of the launch of a mobile
application for infection prevention and control guidelines. This is a commendable
initiative
by the MSDS and infection control department of Lahore General Hospital, as it will benefit
not only health care personnel but the general population as well. All crucial components,
such as hand hygiene and personal protective measures, have been addressed clearly and
succinctly. Furthermore, the use of illustrations to express all crucial and necessary
information adds clarity to the material.
Prof. Faryad Hussain
MBBS, FCPS (Pediatrics), PGPN (Boston University, USA)
Professor of Pediatric Medicine
Head, Pediatric Unit-II & Pediatric Pulmonology
the Dr.Nizam Damani
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Prof. Nizam Damani
Message by the Dr.Nizam Damani
IPC Expert, Senior Consultant WHO
According to the recent World Health Organisation report, it has been estimated that out of
100 patients hospitalized, seven will be infected with healthcare-associated infections
(HAIs) and the risk of acquiring HAI is up to 20 times higher in low- and middle-income
countries. In addition, deaths are increased two to threefold when infections are resistant
to antimicrobials. This is an underestimate due to the lack of surveillance in most
healthcare facilities. HAls not only drain valuable health service resources in terms of
additional costs but also have an impact on the length of stay in the hospital as well as
additional nursing and medical time. In addition, especially in low- and middle-income
countries, the cost and impact of Hals to individuals and their families can be devastating
due to loss of income, indirect cost, and burden to family members in terms of time lost
from work in caring for the affected individual. The Covid -19 pandemic shows that both
patients and health workers can be at high risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 during
health care delivery and need to be protected. Therefore, the implementation of effective
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is now a major priority on a global basis.
Unfortunately, due to various reasons, implementation of even basic IPC practices can be
challenging, especially in low- and middle-income countries. I am delighted that Dr. Amina
Asif and the MSDS department have developed the IPC App for Lahore General Hospital,
Pakistan. This is a major achievement because the App is simple to use and is also available
in Urdu. It is available on mobile devices which allows not only easy accessibility to
implement good IPC practice at the point of care by health workers but also helps update IPC
guidelines and procedures regularly. To ease implementation, IPC procedures are illustrated
using images based on local guidelines. I am confident that the availability of the IPC App
supplemented by teaching and practical training in IPC will help the hospital to implement
good IPC practices at the point of care and will not only reduce HAIs but also help protect
health workers and visitors from other infections.
Prof. Nizam Damani
MBBS, MSc, FRCPath., FRCPI, CIC, DipHIC
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Introduction
1. Prevention and proper management of sharp injuries and contamination incidents is extremely
important. Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) can be
transmitted by percutaneous injury e.g. where the skin is cut or penetrated by needles or
other
sharp objects (needle stick / sharps injury), inoculation of
mucous membranes ( eg. eyes,
mouth)
by secretions/blood from patient to health care workers. Therefore, needle stick / sharps
injuries
and contamination incidents must be
managed correctly.
2. It is important that all HCWs should adopt a safe system of work when dealing with blood
and body fluids or disposing off sharp objects.
3. Recapping should be discouraged.
First Aid
1. Allow the wound to bleed and then rinse under running water and wash with soap.Do not scrub
or suck the wound.
2. Cover with waterproof dressing.
3. Exposed mucous membranes, including conjunctiva should be irrigated copiously with running
water or saline, after removing contact lenses.
4. After a splash into the mouth, do not swallow but rinse out the mouth several times with
cold water.
5. Report the incident immediately to the shift incharge (sister/staff nurse) in the
department without delay and complete the needle stick injury reporting form.
6. Submit the needle stick injury reporting form and report the incident to the DMS Emergency
without delay. It is essential that HCWs must not rely on their own assessment of risk.
7. Check for the disease status of the source patient. If status not known, request source
sample for urgent testing for HBV, HCV, and HIV— consider using rapid testing. For
unknown
sources, assess the risk of exposure to infection. The discarded needles or syringes cannot be
tested for blood-borne viruses.
Evaluate the source patient and HCW
Following NSI reporting form submission and risk assessment, appropriate post exposure
prophylaxis will be
considered, done and followed by MSDS/ Infection Control
Department.
PEP of Hepatitis B virus for Vaccinated HCWs 
PEP of Hepatitis B virus for Incompletely or Unvaccinated HCWs
PEP for HCWs for Hepatitis C virus positive or Unknown Status Source
person
PEP for HCWs for HIV Positive Source person
