Hospital operations management and infection control: a gandhian perspective

Abstract

Any modern hospital needs high quality hospital services - outpatient, inpatient, emergency, diagnostic laboratory and imaging services, etc., - which all have to be rendered with devotion and sincerity. It is in this context that Gandhian values and ideals assume significance as medical staff is expected to adhere to highest standards of service and cleanliness and hygiene towards patients. Mahatma Gandhi's all during his life time had a penchant nature cure and service orientation and who was regarded as an epitome of cleanliness. Many consider nature cure as alternative name for preventive healthcare, which was the cornerstone of Mahatma Gandhi's healthcare philosophy. According to Mahatma Gandhi, all ailments spring from lack of hygiene and proper sanitation facilities, and thus assume great significance for infection control in the hospital context. All Gandhian values and ideals which he emphasized in his speeches and writings apart from benefiting individuals, groups and society at large; which in the hospital context are very relevant and beneficial for hospital operations management and infection control. The paper discusses relevance of Gandhian values and ideals for preventive healthcare (nature cure), hospital operations management and infection control in a hospital.