Strengthen a infection control activity through link nurse programme

Despite a functional central infection control programme, ward-level compliance with core IPC practices—hand hygiene, PPE use, device-care bundles (CLABSI/CAUTI/VAP), and biomedical waste segregation—remained inconsistent across clinical units, with monthly audits showing an average compliance of only ≈70% and a rising trend in device-associated infection surveillance triggers during the first three months.

AIM: To improve ward-level infection control practice compliance from a baseline of 70% to ≥90% within 6 months by establishing and strengthening a structured Link Nurse Program across all clinical units of the hospital.

1. Plan: To involve the link nurses in IPC activity monitoring and follow-up in a proper manner.
2. Do: To develop a manual or digital checklist for link nurse IPC activities.
3. Study: To analyze the data.
4. Act: To provide feedback and training based on the analyzed data.

Present and Post-Implementation Data

1. Hand Hygiene: From 70% to 94%
2. PPE Usage: From 72% to 92%
3. Biomedical Waste Segregation: From 75% to 96%
4. Bundle Care Practices: From 65% to 95%
5. Overall IPC Score: From 70% to 93%

Duration: 1 to 6 Months

• Month 1: 1–2 link nurses nominated per shift per unit; roles formally notified.
• Month 2: IPC bundles, hand hygiene, audit tools, PPE, and waste management.
• Month 3: Weekly ward audits begin; real-time reporting via IPC dashboard.
• Months 4 & 5: Monthly link-nurse forum, feedback closure, and unit recognition.
• Month 6: Outcome evaluation against the 90% target; NABH Apex readiness check.

Challenges

1. No ward-level IPC champion.
2. Lack of daily IPC audits in each clinical area.
3. Inconsistent availability and use of PPE/hand rub.
4. Low staff awareness.
5. No structured escalation mechanism.

Success Factors

1. Appoint trained IPC champions in every ward.
2. Conduct standardized daily IPC audits.
3. Ensure uninterrupted supply of PPE and hand rub.
4. Provide regular IPC education and competency assessment.
5. Establish and implement an IP

Key Learnings

1. Strong IPC leadership at the ward level is essential to drive compliance and accountability.
2. Daily IPC audits help identify gaps early and enable timely corrective actions.
3. Continuous availability of PPE and hand hygiene supplies is critical for safe patient care.
4. Regular staff education and competency assessments improve IPC knowledge and adherence to best practices.
5. A structured escalation process ensures prompt resolution of IPC issues and minimizes patient safety risks.
6. Consistent monitoring, feedback, and leadership support are key to sustaining IPC improvements and reducing healthcare-associated infections.