Government hospital workers must remove below-the-elbow jewelry and restrict cell phone use in sensitive areas: Center

As a safety measure and to ensure infection prevention measures at the workplace, healthcare workers in all central government hospitals are now required to remove all types of jewelry below the elbow while on duty. . They have also been instructed to restrict the use of mobile phones in patient areas and critical zones such as ICUs, HDUs, post-operative wards and operating theaters.

A one-page directive recently issued by the Ministry of Health states that measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and health of both patients and staff, and to ensure infection prevention measures are in place. ”

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“We realized that there was an urgent need to strengthen certain jewelry measures within our workplaces. There is substantial evidence that wearing hand jewelry below the elbow increases the total number of microorganisms on the skin. Similarly, the use of mobile phones while on duty, especially in sensitive areas, poses a risk of infection,” said the order issued to hospital directors of all central government hospitals.

The order will be effective immediately for all healthcare workers and includes jewelry such as rings, bangles, bracelets, religious threads and watches.

“This precautionary measure is essential to minimize the risk of infection transmission and to maintain optimal hygiene standards and patient care at all times.Each hospital has revised its SOPs on hand hygiene and the use of wristwatches is permitted. “Policies restricting the use of mobile phones in certain areas may need to be developed and enforced,” the order states.

According to a recent publication, 'Antimicrobial Resistance: Addressing a Global Threat to Humanity', India has one of the highest burdens of Hospital Associated Resistant Infections (HARIs) globally, and the number of HARIs in the world. is stated to be 136 million people per year. , China, Pakistan and India bear the heaviest burden.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections acquired while patients are being treated for a medical or surgical condition and are one of the most common complications that occur during the provision of healthcare services. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs, according to a paper published in The Lancet titled 'Healthcare-associated infectious disease surveillance in India'.

The report states that in India, a large proportion of the population seeks inpatient medical care at secondary or district-level health facilities in the public and private sectors, many of which have inadequate infection prevention and control measures. He added that there is. The main barriers to the implementation of infection prevention and control are the lack of trained and dedicated staff, the availability and inappropriate use of personal protective equipment, and hygiene measures exacerbated by patient overcrowding.