Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), through its Infection Prevention and Control Programme (IPCP), is encouraging clinical staff working across its network of hospitals to ensure they are taking the necessary steps to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections and ensure a safe and healthy hospital environment for patients, healthcare
providers, and visitors.
Dr Jameela al-Ajmi, executive director of Corporate Infection Prevention and Control at HMC, said the IPCP was launched by HMC as part of the healthcare provider’s focus on preventing the spread of infections in its hospitals.
Dr al-Ajmi explains that the transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as the Hepatitis B and C Viruses and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( HIV) from patients to healthcare workers, or vice versa, is an occupational health hazard faced by healthcare providers each day. However, she says healthcare workers can take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and this is why HMC considers infection prevention and control a priority.
“Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in a healthcare setting has the potential to transmit viruses such as Hepatitis and HIV. The US-based Centres for Disease Prevention and Control estimates that the average risk for HIV infection after a needle stick or cut exposure of HIV-infected blood is 0.33% (about one in 300). The risk from a single needle stick or cut exposure to Hepatitis B-infected blood ranges from 6 to 30% while the average risk for infection after a needle stick or cut exposure to Hepatitis C-infected blood is approximately 1.8%,”
highlighted Dr al-Ajmi.
To reiterate its commitment to infection control, the IPCP will organise a week of activities from October 14 to 20 in recognition of this year’s International Infection Control Week. The theme for the international week is “Protecting Patients Everywhere”.
“HMC’s Corporate Infection Prevention and Control division has always been proactive in keeping infections at bay across all our hospitals. Each year we have infection control week activities to highlight the importance of infection prevention among all healthcare professionals, administrators, and our patients,” says
Dr al-Ajmi.
According to Dr al-Ajmi, healthcare workers can protect themselves from contracting infections and substantially reduce the rates of infectious disease transmission by following a number of easy-to-implement procedures, including the use of appropriate protective equipment such as a gown, gloves, and eye protection.
Dr Jameela al-Ajmi
