Hygiene and health: Effects, experiences, and expertise of “Clean India Campaign” from a tertiary care hospital

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Background: The current happenings in the country for the good should be of importance in the crucial places and the critical phases of life, i.e., hospitals and during hospitalization, even for normal life processes. The current “Clean India Campaign” is a catalyst for hospitals for improvements in hygiene. Objective: The objective of this study is to define and describe the impact of multifaceted infection control and hygienic practices by all on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: Implementation of multifaceted infection control policies was ensured along with the health educationfor hygienic practices by all, including attendants of patients and patients when possible. These were rigorously enforced with the renewed enthusiasm since the launch of “Clean India Campaign” from January 2015. The setting was “Paediatric Wing” of a tertiary care hospital catering to a large army cantonment, and also, referred cases. The outcome measures were the incidence of HAIs. Results: The incidence rate of HAIs was 2.91% (July 2013-December 2014) and declined to 1.59% (January 2015-June 2016) (relative risk: 0.547, 95% confidence interval: 0.409-0.733; p=0.0001). The most significant decline in HAI in our study has been in that of gastrointestinal infections (RR: 0.428%, 95% CI: 0.241-0.761; p=0.0034). Overall, the results of preventiveactions were rewarding (RR: 0.547, 95% CI: 0.409-0.733; p=0.0001). Conclusion: The mission “Clean India Campaign” and the WHO’s vision “clean care is safer care” lead to prevention and reduction of HAIs. Implementation of multifaceted infection control interventions is impactful. Hygienic practices teaching should be for both caregivers and caretakers.