Patient safety has become an important corner stone

December 04, 2017 | Monday | Interviews

Recently, 3M India conducted a National CSSD Conference in Association with HSSC (Healthcare Sector Skill Council) on decontamination and sterilisation.

Mr. L C Das, Country Business Leader - Healthcare Business Group, 3M India

3M was established in India in 1987 and has completed more than 25 years of operations. A large sector of 3M deals with products that improve manufacturing efficiency and impact improved healthcare delivery.

Recently, 3M India conducted a National CSSD Conference in Association with HSSC (Healthcare Sector Skill Council) on decontamination and sterilisation. The Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) is under the ambit of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The key objective of the Council is to create a robust and vibrant eco-system for quality vocational education and skill development in Healthcare space in the country.

BioSpectrum spoke to Mr. L C Das, Country Business Leader - Healthcare Business Group, 3M India, post the conference. Excerpts of the interview are-

What were the main objectives to be addressed through this conference in association with HSSC?

3M has always believed in giving back to our customers and to the community. We have continuously invested in promoting the global healthcare best practices through our products and services.

“Patient safety” has become an important corner stone and often discussed issue in healthcare worldwide including India. Our association with HSSC is towards strengthening this cause through means of standardization of healthcare practices. One way to achieve this is by nurturing new talent and streamlining existing healthcare personnel to practice standardized processes and procedures.

This conference was organised to officially announce our collaboration. Broadly we aim to do the following:

To contribute to HSSC as a knowledge partner for conducting trainer(s) and Master Trainer(s) program

To contribute to HSSC as a knowledge partner for conducting assessor(s) and Master assessor(s) program

Developing Training Modules for selected job roles such as participants handbooks, trainers guide, log books etc.

To develop new Qualification Packs for identified job roles & areas

To conduct sensitization workshops for industry and experts

What are the key reasons responsible for the increase of hospital acquired infections (HAI) in India?

There is no denial that we are facing a high burden of hospital acquired infections in our country. The causes are multifactorial, some of which are non-modifiable while many can be modifiable. Organisms causing hospital infections in India are similar to those around the world but indiscriminate use of antibiotics has created resistant bugs that are difficult to treat. It is imperative that we stick to basics and understand the power of prevention over treatment.

It is the preventable HAI’s that we are wanting to address through our products and services which help in strengthening the infection control measures. Empowering the infection control committees and making the hospital staff aware of the risk reduction measures will go a long way in addressing the growing menace of HAI’s.

How can effective sterilization and waste disposal protocols be followed in hospitals to reduce the incidences of HAI?

Hospitals have a commitment to patient safety - by providing the safest and best quality care to patients. Each day, millions of medical procedures are performed in healthcare facilities worldwide, with caregivers and patients relying on the availability and use of a wide range of supplies, instruments and equipment. These devices must be properly cleaned, disinfected and /or sterilized, and inspected for quality to ensure they are in good working condition and available at the point of care.

In most healthcare facilities, the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) plays a critical role in providing the items required to deliver quality patient care. To support infection control within the healthcare facility, the CSSD staff members must be well-trained,competent and committed to “doing what’s right” every step of the way. This means ensuring that shortcuts are not taken and that processes and practices are consistently followed.

Centralizing the reprocessing of reusable devices helps ensure uniform standards of practice, while allowing for improved workflow. It also facilitates the training and education of skilled technicians who must be knowledgeable about the standards, complexities, challenges, risks and techniques associated with the CSSD function.

The consistent provision of quality disinfection and sterilization services can be a monumental task; however, it is a vital link in providing safer healthcare.