National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) and 3M India Ltd have affirmed their commitment to infection prevention by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote best practices & standards in hospitals. The pact will not only prevent healthcare associated infections but also promote quality care for patients in India. The alliance will help prevent and control infection related morbidity and mortality as well as reduce the cost of care linked to healthcare associated infection.

The healthcare industry in India has been growing at a significant pace and is a key contributor to the Indian economy. With an increased load on healthcare facilities and scarcity of quality resources across small, medium and even large sized hospitals in India, there is a critical need to promote best practices and standards of care so as to deliver favourable outcomes for patients. This collaboration between 3M and NABH is aimed at advancing medical knowledge and spreading awareness on the subject of healthcare-associated infections and their prevention.

The collaboration will involve conducting workshops towards Surgical Site Infection Prevention, Sterilization Assurance, Care of IV lines - Catheter Related Blood Stream Infection Prevention, Wound Management & Casting Workshops across India. These workshops will help create awareness about the quality and standard to be followed by healthcare organizations to match the standards required for NABH accreditation.

According to Dr Girdhar J Gyani, secretary general, Quality Council of India (QCI), and CEO, NABH, quality in Healthcare is being recognized as key parameter all over the world. It directly aims at saving precious lives. Management of medication and control of infections, have emerged as two principal points, which if attended, can improve patient safety by many fold. NABH is pleased to join hands with organizations like 3M in a mission to provide quality healthcare in our country.

“We are committed to meeting the needs of healthcare professionals with a strong technology foundation. 3M is well-positioned to deliver unparalleled value through it’s strong educational platform, supported by innovative products and solutions across the healthcare industry. The MoU will fortify both NABH and 3M’s goal to enable healthcare institutions to prevent/ control infection levels and save lives,” said Gautam Khanna, executive director, 3M Health Care Business – India.

3M India Ltd will leverage its worldwide presence, experiences and affiliations with professional bodies like AORN, APIC, SHEA, INS, AVA, IAHSSCM, AAMI and ISO etc. in implementing strong infection control programs for healthcare facilities and support NABH goal to enhance infection control standards and practices in hospitals of India. “The initiative compliments NABH and 3M’s ongoing efforts in the infection prevention and control space,” he added.