Lok Bandhu Hospital in Lucknow has become the first government hospital to introduce antimicrobial bedsheets, aiming to reduce the spread of infections in its special newborn care units. Trial bedsheets from a private company that use nanoparticle technology are currently in use; if successful, they will be used across the hospital. The bedsheets are claimed to inhibit microorganisms’ growth by up to 95%, compared to standard linen. Culture testing has been conducted to ensure authenticity. Sheets are changed daily, with each sheet designed to last up to 30 washes.
The manufacturer of the bedsheets is not mentioned, but Vishal Mehra has commented on the role of the product in improving public healthcare facilities by preventing infections within patient care areas.
Dr Ajay Tripathi, medical superintendent of Lok Bandhu Hospital, explained the reasoning behind introducing the bedsheets. He cited controlling the growth and spread of bacteria and fungus to prevent cross-infection in and around the patient as critical in the safety and well-being of the newborns being cared for in the small-by-20 trial bedsheets. He said that observing the bedsheets over the next few months will take place to ensure their long-term effectiveness.
Steps:
1. Determine the need for antimicrobial bedsheets to reduce the spread of infections across hospital wards.
2. Identify a trusted manufacturer who is certified by a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) lab.
3. Conduct a trial period with a small number of bedsheets, observing the sheets over the next few months to ensure their longevity.
4. If successful, introduce antimicrobial sheets across hospital wards to protect vulnerable patients from the harmful effects of bacterial and fungal infections.
