2 minute read
Prevention Week
Celebrating the International Infection Prevention Week
By Marian Moraa
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)Unit has pledged to continue working round the clock in keeping healthcare workers, their families, and patients, safe from hospital-acquired infections.
This was the unit’s pledge during celebrations to mark the International Infection Prevention Week, at a colorful ceremony held at Kenyatta National Hospital.
This year’s theme is “Make Your Intention Infection Prevention”, with the goal being to highlight the science behind infection prevention and inspire the next generation to join the fight.
This theme is a rallying call to all stakeholders including healthcare workers, patients, families, and policymakers to embrace a culture of ensuring safety during healthcare delivery and reduce the risk of harm due to unavoidable infections.
KNH’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Evanson Kamuri, EBS underscored the hospital’s commitment to ensuring the availability of infection prevention and control supplies at every point of care.
“We have also collaborated with partners to ensure that handwashing stations are available and accessible to all our visitors to the hospital,” said the CEO in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. John Kinuthia, Medical Research Deputy Director. “As healthcare providers, we all have a role to play to ensure we are practicing Infection Prevention and Control. Some strategies for preventing hospitalacquired infections include hand hygiene, environmental hygiene, screening patients, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, contact precautions, droplet precautions, airborne precautions, following guidelines, and embracing a safety culture,” said Dr. Kamuri.
He went on; “These strategies cut across all aspects of patient care and we have to understand the guidelines put in place and adhere to them…This calls for us all to be alert of the risks and the gaps that exist in our provision of services and make all efforts to reduce them.”
Dr. Rosaline Kinuthia-Head of Unit IPC urged KNH staff and their clients to always adhere to the set precautions.
“These practices should always be observed to ensure we are all protected. Patients and their families should also be keen to ensure their caregivers are IPC adherent while serving them” she says.
During the celebrations, IPC champions were feted. The champions from Wards 10D emerged winners with those from Clinic 24, and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) coming in second and third respectively.
Ward 6C was also recognized as the most improved from their performance on the previous year. They were awarded trophies and certificates for their outstanding efforts in observing IPC precautions.
Happy Infection Prevention Week- Make Your Intention Infection Prevention!
PHOTO | NICHOLAS WAMALWA
IPC team demonstrating the 5 moments of hand hygiene to staff members during the launch of IPC week
PHOTO | NICHOLAS WAMALWA
