Roles of various stakeholders in IPC

Commitment at national, state and district level are required to support and facilitate the implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures.

The important stakeholders in IPC include:

National Airborne Infection Control Committee (NAICC) has been constituted to provide for a multi-lateral national level coordinating body, to develop national guidelines on IPC, and provide technical guidance for their implementation, evaluation, and revisions.

Composition of NAICC

NAICC has representatives from Central TB Division, Medical college, State TB Programme representatives, Directorate General of Health Services, Central Design Bureau, National Institutes, Civil society representatives and other relevant agencies

A State Airborne Infection Control Committee (SAICC) should be established for adoption and integration of the national guidelines on airborne infection control in health care and other settings in the hospital infection control plans of various health care facilities in the states

Composition of SAICC

SAICC has representatives from Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission, Director Health Services (Nodal Officer), Director Medical Education and Research, State TB Officer, Project Director-SACS, State Task Force for Medical Colleges, Representative of IMA (State Body), Architects and Engineers from State PWD, Representative of State Pollution Control Board, NGO / CBO

The airborne infection control activities at the district level should be coordinated and undertaken by the Sub-Committee on Biomedical Waste Management / Infection Control (SC-BMW/IC) under the District Health Society (DHS). They should function under guidance and close coordination with the SAICC, State Health Society and with the TB Sub-Committee under DHS (NRHM).

Composition of SC-BMW/IC

SC-BMW/IC has representatives from Medical College / District Hospital, Representative of Pollution Control Board Office at the district, Director, Nursing Administration and Training or equivalent, Representative of IMA (Local Body) / NGO / CBO

The Hospital infection control committee (HICC) is an integral component of the IPC programme of the health care facility.

The main functions of HICC include:

1. Establish the IPC programme in the health care facility, develop action plan for strengthening IPC measures for the facility and individual units within the facility with priorities based on the risk assessment

2. Constitute an infection control team to oversee IPC implementation in the facility

3. Review and revise annually infection control guidelines with policies, recommendations and working protocols with standard precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning and decontamination, disinfection and sterilization as key components

4. Organize training programmes on recommendations of the guidelines and IPC practices for staff

5. Develop an antibiotic policy and antibiotic stewardship programme

6. Conduct surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, monitor trends in hospital acquired infections (HAI), investigate outbreaks of HAIs

7. Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for IPC, analyze the surveillance data and identify at-risk patients. Take appropriate action and implement recommendations where necessary

8. Conduct audits and quality control of IPC activities, ensure compliance with recommendations

9. Help control environmental risks for infection by liaising with appropriate departments such as healthcare waste management, provision of safe water (testing of water sources), pharmacy, housekeeping services, laundry and kitchen services

Resources

Guidelines on Airborne Infection Control in Healthcare and Other Settings.

National Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/National%20Guidelines%20for%20IPC%20in%20H…)