Innovative Strategies in Hospital Safety:
PGIMER Hosts Successful CME on Airborne Infection Control and Waste Management
“Safety in the lab starts with recognizing that our work impacts patients in the hospital. The lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic remind us that protecting health is a shared responsibility. Each sample we handle represents a life, and together, we must create a culture of safety that extends throughout our healthcare system,” stated Prof. R.K.Ratho, Dean (Academics),PGIMER while addressing as the Chief Guest at the CME titled “Hospital Safety: Recent Advances and Best Practices” organised by Deptt. of Hospital Administration here at at PGIMER today.
Emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving optimum levels in hospital safety, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent & Head, Deptt. of Hospital Administration, PGIMER , “ Safety is not just a set of guidelines; it’s a culture that we must foster across all levels of healthcare. Let us embrace this interconnectedness and cultivate a culture of safety that resonates throughout every layer of our healthcare environment. Our commitment to raising standards in patient safety and care remains unwavering.”
The CME featured a robust lineup of discussions focused on the critical issues of airborne infections and biomedical waste management, attracting a diverse audience of healthcare professionals, administrators, and infection control specialists dedicated to advancing hospital safety protocols and enhancing patient care.
During the first session that focused on hospital ventilation systems and environmental control measures critical for preventing airborne infections, Dr Kishor Khankari, ASHRAE, USA, while sharing case studies to improve ventilation, stated, “In our quest to enhance hospital safety, understanding airflow patterns and the behaviour of infectious aerosols is critical. By implementing effective ventilation strategies, we can significantly reduce the risk of airborne infections and safeguard both patients and healthcare workers.”
Addressing the essential measures required to reduce tuberculosis transmission within hospital settings, Prof. Manisha Biswal, Deptt. of Medical Microbiology, PGIMER , “The issue involves a multi-layered approach. It is imperative that we adopt rigorous environmental control measures to ensure that our hospitals are safe havens for patients, while also protecting our dedicated healthcare professionals.”
The second scientific session,that tackled the challenges of biomedical waste management, witnessed Dr. Vijay Tadia, presenting the ongoing issues faced in managing biomedical waste. Followed by Dr. Sapna Pahil, who shed light on the ‘grey areas’ in waste management practices in laboratories, and Ms Manjinder Kaur, who shared firsthand accounts of the real-life challenges encountered in handling biomedical waste.
Two engaging panel discussions were held: one on ‘Hospital Ventilation Systems to Prevent Airborne Infections’ moderated by Dr. Shweta Talati, and another on ‘Challenges in Biomedical Waste Management’ moderated by Dr. Vijay Tadia. Participants actively engaged with esteemed panelists, including hospital administrators, engineers, and microbiologists, raising critical questions about implementation challenges and effective practices in hospital safety.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the information shared and the opportunity to network with industry leaders.
The CME that concluded with the felicitation of the speakers, successfully fulfilled its
mission to educate and empower healthcare professionals in the pursuit of enhanced hospital safety.
