KUCHING: A total of 225 participants attended the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) seminar at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak’s auditorium here.
The two-day seminar that began yesterday is themed “Breaking the Chain of Infection” and is jointly done between KPJ Kuching and global companies BD and 3M.
“A comprehensive focus needs to be strengthened by performing safe practice, especially in the healthcare industry. This will then break the chain and prevent viruses, bacteria and germs from spreading,” said KPJ Kuching medical director Dr David Ling in his opening speech.
On the first day, Dr Chua Hock Hin, who was the first speaker, in his topic on “Healthcare Associated Infection: New Challenges” said that most countries, especially in Southeast Asia, lacked a surveillance system for healthcare-associated infections.
“Even those who do have such a system often struggle with the complexity and lack the standardised criteria for diagnosis.”
Dr Chua said among the solutions to minimise infection in healthcare was by ensuring the core components for infection control were in place at national and healthcare-setting levels.
“Furthermore, implementing standard precautions, particularly best hand hygiene practices at the bedside and improving staff education and accountability in this matter also can help to fight against infection.
“The objective is to establish a platform for sharing and exchange knowledge on infection and prevention of diseases. Apart from that, this seminar enhances latest evidence on infection disease-based practice in healthcare industry,” he added.
Among the topics presented were “Empowering Nurses and Patients in Breaking the Chain of Infection” by Maygala Arumugam, “Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Guidelines” by Goveelaneswary Salyah, “The Microbial IV Gatekeeper” by Najwah Chua, “IV Dressing Evolution” by Ranjeeta and “Advance Vein Technology” by Dr Sivanis.
Meanwhile, Dr Chan Siew Hong presented his paper “Evidence-based Strategies: Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection” while Dr Mirunaaleni Selvaraju, Jason Tan and Dr Nicholas Jenek explained the “Challenges In Tuberculosis Management: Prevention and Control”, “Multi Drug Resistant Organisms” and “Rabies Management” respectively.
Besides the talk, several booths were set up by KPJ Kuching, 3M, BD, APM, 5 Lines and BBraun at the venue.
Also present were KPJ Kuching executive director Roslan Ahmad and general manager Nurhazimah Mahat.
