Pallavi Panchu1
ABSTRACT: Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are a serious health issue. Knowledge of hospital acquired infections and its prevention and treatment are an important part of the education of doctors, nurses and hospital administrators. This study was designed to test the knowledge of the HAI amongst all the qualified surgeons and nurses working in the surgical wards in a 450 bedded rural teaching hospital in south India. Further, observation of the HAI prevention practices among the surgeons and nurses was done using checklists, questionnaires and protocols. The responses to the questions were analyzed and knowledge deficiencies were noted. The practices were evaluated and the practice deficiencies noted. The results showed that there was a definite knowledge and practice deficiency amongst the surgeons and nurses working in this hospital. They were unaware of the current recommendations and practices. The conclusion was that HAI education is important and that continuous education programmes must be implemented in any hospital to prevent and treat HAI. It is also important to frame and follow procedures and checklists to reduce the chance for HAI in surgical wards, as suggested by the writer. These suggestions were accepted by the concerned institution and corrections were made.
