19th February, 2018
Mr Solomon Chollom, a Medical Laboratory Scientist with National Veterinary Research Institute, Kuru near Jos, has urged health professionals to imbibe aseptic (hygienic) procedures to reduce the rising cases of hospital-acquired infections.
Chollom on Monday in Jos that the non-adherence to aseptic procedures by medical personnel was a major source of nosocomial infections (hospital acquired infections).
He said that such infections are caused either via viral, bacterial or fungal pathogens, like urinary tract infections, respiratory pneumonia, surgical site wound infections, bacteria, gastrointestinal and skin infections.
“Microbes such as H. Pylori, Human papilloma virus, Hepatitis C virus and Salmonella tophi which is responsible for up to 35 percent of all cancers known to man, are largely transmitted in the hospitals.
“If medical personnel fail in adhering to the laid aseptic procedures in the laboratory and in the hospital, they are likely to contract an infection.
“Adherence to aseptic technique is important to avoid the spread of infections in the hospital,’’ he said.
Chollom said that if aseptic techniques are adhered to by clinical care staff and other healthcare workers, they would serve as a front-line defence for applying daily infection control practices to prevent infections and transmission of organisms to other patients.
He further called for an annual training in the prevention of bloodborne pathogens exposures and other infection control training as a planned patient safety activity.
