Infections which arise in healthcare are termed Healthcare associated infection (HCAI) and are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the patients receiving treatment in various healthcare units. It is defined as an infection occurring in a patient in a hospital or other health care facility in whom the infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. This includes infection acquired in the hospital but appearing after discharge and also occupational infection among staff of the facility.
Majority of these infections are preventable. Therefore effective infection prevention and control is central to providing high quality health care for patients and a safe working environment for those who work in healthcare settings.
To achieve this, a hospital infection control committee (HICC) has been formed that looks after the infection control needs of the hospital. The HICC at AIIMS Raipur is chaired by the Medical superintendent of the hospital; Member Secretary and Infection Control Officer are the senior Microbiologist. It also has representation from all the major departments of the institute, along with Infection control Nursing officers and in-charges of various operation theatres, Intensive care units, CSSD, Store officer, Engineering section and housekeeping staff.