Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are now the fourth leading cause of all hospital acquired infections, according to experts at an update held for medical professionals recently.
Hosted at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital under the joint auspices of the International Medical Sciences Academy-Puducherry Chapter and the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC)-MGMCRI, the CME, sought to raise awareness on the scourge of BSIs as also to provide medical professionals the lowdown on and precautionary measures to be taken to scale down the risk.
According to Dr. J. Shanmugam, senior deputy director, Central Interdisciplinary Research Facility at MGMCRI and president, Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists, such infection of the blood had potential to produce serious complications including death, if not treated in time or if the causative agent is a multidrug resistant organism.
Though there is no data on BSI prevalence in the Indian scenario, it is recognised that lapses in procedures such as blood transfusion, catheterisation, administering of IV fluids and improper sterilisation procedures are the common causes for BSIs, Dr. Shanmugam said.
In recent years, BSIs have climbed up the list of leading hospital acquired infections and are ranked below only Respiratory (Pneumonia), Urinary tract (UTI) and Surgical site infections (SSI), among the hospitalised patients and in particular among patients admitted in ICUs.
Dr. Abdoul Hamide from Jipmer, highlighted the BSI risks to medical professionals from accidental sharp injuries as well post-exposure prophylaxis.
Risk of exposure to BSIs is prevalent even at the neonatal stage and Neonatal septicaemia is now a leading causing of death among new borns, according to Dr. K. Lalitha from PIMS. She also dwelt on the diagnosis and management of neonatal septicaemia while Dr. M. Narayanan (MGMCRI), focused on the management of septicaemia in adult patients.
Dr. J. Sameer (MGMCRI), explained in detail about catheter acquired blood infections and modes of preventing the same by observing strict sterile precautions and clinical hand washing and Dr. K. Renuka (Kasturba Gandhi Nursing College), described the roles to be played by nursing professionals in preventing bloodstream infections and saving precious lives.
Dr. Radha Madhavan of SRM University, provided an update on advances in rapid laboratory diagnosis which can help in timely and successful treatment.
A newly designed logo for the HICC-MGMCRI was released by Dr. Nirmal Coumare, Medical Superintendent MGMCRI in the presence of Prof. K.R. Sethuraman, Vice-Chancellor, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Dr. K. Jagadeesan, president of the International Medical Sciences Academy and Director of the K.J. Hospital, Chennai, and Dr. S. Krishnan, Dean-Academic, MGMCRI.
The CME was attended by more than 150 delegates, including faculties, PG students, research scholars and practicing doctors from various medical colleges and hospitals from Puducherry and neighbouring parts of Tamil Nadu.
New logo of Hospital Infection Control Committee-MGMCRI released
